Carry-on only tips??

[nkkilala]

Ok So I have made the decision to travel with only carry-ons for my october trip. It is just DH2B and myself. We are going for 4 nights/5days. I have one nice dinner planned (california grill). If you have any tips on how to fit cloths for the trip into 2 carry-ons please let me know.
I have small travel sized soap,Toothpaste, bodywash, and loufa (have to have it).
I was thinking 3 pairs of shots and 4 shirts.... We are going in Ocotber so I will probably wear somewhat warm cloths on the plane (jeans, t shirt and layer with a long sleeve.

Does anyone have any other tips??

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Cruisin]

You can easily travel with only carry on luggage for your trip. We do it all of the time.

I would recommend rolling your clothes or putting them into ziploc bags and squishing all the air out. They take up a lot less space that way.

If you travel in your jeans and sweater that helps a lot too because those are bigger and more bulky items to pack.

Remember too that you are usually allowed one carry on bag and one personal item. I use the biggest allowed size of wheeled luggage and then if I need more space I use a small backpack or smaller sized duffel bag for my personal item.

A tip that I have used for making space to bring home souvenirs ~~ I pack old socks or undies or tshirts etc that are not my favorites or are almost due to be retired... I wear them and then I throw them away That leaves much more space to put those must bring home items that you will find while you are there.

 

[dyna]

Not only would I take tshirts and undies that I can throw away I'd take an extra old pair of shoes in case my shoes got wet and then throw them away if I needed the room to bring back park goodies. Also you can use off your shampoo and etc and toss that when done to save on room too.

I'm used to traveling very light sometimes for 2 weeks at a time I can get by with a total of 3 shirts 3 pairs of jeans pair of shorts and swimsuit and 3 pairs socks and undies for 2 weeks by doing laundry every 3rd day.

 

[nkkilala]

these are great! any others.....

 

[snowy76]

Stuff socks and undies into the extra shoes inside your bag. Lots of empty space in there! Wear the bulkiest shoes while you travel (along the lines of wearing the bulky clothing).

Another vote for rolling clothes. It's amazing how that helps --and fewer wrinkles too! If you carry aspirin, etc., put them in a baggie. I carry a poofy thing instead of a loofah when I travel; it squishes easily inside a bag. Buy it for a buck and throw it out before you head home! For toothpaste, shampoo etc. I carry samples if I have them (you know, the kind they leave in the mailbox, in coupon inserts etc.).

Remember, since your DH2B probably doesn't carry a purse that means two bags for him!

 

[DebbieB]

Book seats in the back of the plane. It's hard to find overhead space in the front these days. I've seen people have to gate check luggage.

 

[mef78]

I second everything said so far. I'm a big fan of packing light and have used all of these excellent tricks (except for throwing away my underwear--good idea!).

Another thing to add is that women are often able to take a carry-on suitcase, another small bag (backpack, etc.--it has to fit under the seat in front of you), IN ADDITION to a purse. That "extra bag" can come in handy. Also people often pack too many shoes--find a way to pare it down to two pair if possible.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

In addition to tossing socks and other unmentionables, I usually take the last of the bottle of shampoo and conditioner, we all use the same bottles and then toss them on our last day. This saves the hassle of filling up tiny travel bottles or buying ridiculously priced travel sizes. Same with other disposables like razors, soap, etc.

Wear your bulkiest clothes and the pair of shoes that will take up the most space, wrap a sweater around your waist (after you get through security!)

Since you're not checking luggage, make sure your bags are free of banned items, lest your favorite pair of scissors or swiss army knife get confiscated.

Have a great trip!

 

[Harambe]

We always do just carry-ons. You've gotten great advice so far - all things we do, too, like the old sweatshirt/tshirt trick.

DS has the rolling backpack and all his clothes fit in there, plus, since he rolls it, I pack my "heavy stuff" in there - two travel size Tides (.99 cents each), a roll of quarters, and a baggie full of dryer sheets. As long as you plan to do laundry on your trip, you only need to bring like three outfits to tour the parks in.

Believe me, no one will stop you on Main Street and say, "Hey, didn't you wear that tshirt on Tuesday?"

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Believe me, no one will stop you on Main Street and say, "Hey, didn't you wear that tshirt on Tuesday?"

 

[litlpixie]

I love this thread...I am perhaps one of the world's WORST packers! These tips are going to soooo come in handy on my October trip!!! Thank you and please keep them coming...(Please hear me Packing Fairy, "I wont overpack, I won't overpack, I won't, I won't, I won't overpack!!")

 

[susan1]

hi,
there is a website devoted to carry on only. www.onebag.com. we used it last year with great success