Could you do a 1-2 week vacation with only 1 24 inch bag?

[eliza61]

So some friends and I were talking about the increase fees the airlines are charging to check bags. Some one mentioned that a family of 4 does not need 4 bags for 2 weeks at wdw.

I totally confess that I am a chronic over packer. I'm going to Paris for a week this early summer and I may need a bag for my shoes alone. LOL.
and in the spirit of full disclosure, I'm not the type that can take a pair of basic black pants and have 17 different outfits like they do in the magazine.

So, could you guys make it 1-2 weeks out of 1 suitcase?

If yes, please, please pass on your secrets because I travel like I'm on Cleopatras barge.

 

[shrubber]

Depends on where you go.
2 weeks on the beach in Belize?

One bathing suit, sunglasses, flip flops and enough cash to keep the cold beer flowing.

 

[NikitaZee]

Nope, and I wouldn't want to. I like having extra things, dress up things, jewelry and accessories, different shoes - you get the idea. I like my kids to have a fresh outfit every day as well, and if I can avoid doing laundry while on vacation, I will. I got the feeling that some of the one-bag-is-all-you-should-need folks were a bit irritated by us who pack more - oh well. That's my comfort zone, and I'm staying in it!

 

[AshleyW]

So some friends and I were talking about the increase fees the airlines are charging to check bags. Some one mentioned that a family of 4 does not need 4 bags for 2 weeks at wdw.

I totally confess that I am a chronic over packer. I'm going to Paris for a week this early summer and I may need a bag for my shoes alone. LOL.
and in the spirit of full disclosure, I'm not the type that can take a pair of basic black pants and have 17 different outfits like they do in the magazine.

So, could you guys make it 1-2 weeks out of 1 suitcase?

If yes, please, please pass on your secrets because I travel like I'm on Cleopatras barge.

I used to be an over packer until the baggage prices got so ridiculous. DFi went to Florida for a week in December to visit my parents. We each brought a carry on (a backpack), and we shared one large rolling duffel bag that got checked. What we did is put all of our shirts in our carry on. I used to put a bunch of junk in my carry on to entertain me on the flight, but really, it's not necessary. We each brought 3 pairs of pants and a pair of shorts. We just did laundry when our clothes were dirty. I didn't pack shampoo, conditioner, etc. I just brought some cheap stuff at the store by my parents' house, and left it there when we went home.

Another thing I do is roll my socks/undies/etc. - I think it saves a little bit of space.

I think next time we go, we'll bring 2 suitcases. But we definitely fit everything last time in 1, it was just a little tight.

 

[gina2000]

Sure, I've done it. I packed a small gym bag to go to France several years ago. It works just fine if you are generally on a pretty casual vacation. Pack one pair of good black pants, a couple of blouses, and a nice pair of shoes for dress up and then some casual clothes.

 

[clovergirl5]

One tip I have is to roll your clothes instead of folding them. I can fit a huge amount of clothes in the suitcase by rolling them up. And they get less wrinkled too. Another one is staying somewhere that I would have access to a washer/dryer.

 

[Colleen27]

I packed for 8 nights at Disney World for 5 people in three 21" uprights. I could probably have done it in less if my girls hadn't had 3 different sets of matching tutus for character meals/mettings! I pack light and I pack at the last minute, so I'm not wasting space on things that we aren't likely to need given the weather. I am the type that will take basics and make a dozen different outfits, though, and I don't mind throwing in a load of laundry while we're at the pool if need be.

The way I see it, I'm already paying for tickets (and therefore carry on allowances) for 5 people, there's no way I'm going to add bag fees on top of that!

 

[disykat]

Sure. I went to Europe for 5 weeks with only carry on. I did lots of washing things in the sink. I'm also not opposed to occasionally hitting a laundrymat on vacation - they can be very interesting. I've had the most interesting conversations in laundrymats.

Like others have said, it is harder if it's winter or you have dress up events to attend.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Nope.

I've decided to not fly anyplace that Southwest doesn't go. Ta-da!


When we travel, we pack for elegant nights, casual sight-seeing, beachwear, and then something for when we visit friends since we are lucky and know people all over the freakin' world.

I am not a sink-washer, but I have used the laundry at various resorts/ rented condos as needed.

And yes, I do need one bag for shoes alone. I can't stand to wear the same pair two days in a row, so I need to have two sneaker pairs, two dressy pairs, two flip-flops, etc.

 

[familyS]

Sure, we always travel light

 

[hopemax]

I have done it. I helped my parents move from WA to FL, a couple years ago. I was gone for a month from the middle of Oct - middle of Nov. So not only did I need clothes for the 10 days in cold & rainy WA, but I needed summery things for the 15 days I was in FL, and the 5 days for the drive in between. I knew that when my Dad & I packed the minivan, that there wouldn't be much room for my stuff, so I had a small rolling suitcase and a backpack. I tried to make sure that the tops I brought, could coordinate with multiple bottoms. Did a lot of laundry. I had some travel sized toiletries for the drive, but otherwise just used what my parents had. I still do that, now that they are settled down there. Not a girly girl, so I didn't need blow dryer, curling iron, makeup etc. I did have 3 pairs of shoes, though. Tennis shoes, hiking shoes (better on my feet for park days or moving) and flip flops.

 

[disney1990]

I've seen my DH vacation for over a week with only a backpack.

I am getting ready to go away from 10 days and I am packed in a 24 inch suitcase.

 

[Carl]

Every summer.

 

[a1tinkfans]

So some friends and I were talking about the increase fees the airlines are charging to check bags. Some one mentioned that a family of 4 does not need 4 bags for 2 weeks at wdw.

I totally confess that I am a chronic over packer. I'm going to Paris for a week this early summer and I may need a bag for my shoes alone. LOL.
and in the spirit of full disclosure, I'm not the type that can take a pair of basic black pants and have 17 different outfits like they do in the magazine.

So, could you guys make it 1-2 weeks out of 1 suitcase?

If yes, please, please pass on your secrets because I travel like I'm on Cleopatras barge.

My sister did a two MONTH trip with a backpack! me, I am a "need to have" kind of person when it comes to my clothes/things!

 

[C.Ann]

Not unless I felt like doing laundry while I was on vacation - which I'm sure I wouldn't..

 

[golfgal]

I put other because it depends on the time of the year--in the winter to a cold climate, no way-sweaters are just too bulky. In the summer, easily but I would plan to do some laundry if it were more than a week.

 

[pezheadmeg]

I can and I have. I did 5 days in Disney in a Land's End Boat Bag. And that's without doing laundry.

It is the luck of the draw that my carry-on bags always get picked for secondary screening. I'd rather wait for the bags to come out on the carousel then have to open and re-pack everything. I've been there done that.

I converted after mechanical problems left me with only a duffle bag, and my L.L.Bean backpack wandering BWI for 7 hours waiting for a connection. I ended up having to rent a luggage cart, a backpack and a small bag get heavy quickly when you're holding them. It was so much nicer the next time I got stranded in an airport to walk for a few hours, with only a sling bag.

Now I grew up the child of an over-packer. For a week cruise she had 2 28 inch suitcases, 2 25 inch suitcases, a 21 inch, a rolling garment bag, and 3 totes. She needs a 25 inch for a weekend.

 

[Pakey]

We do it when we travel internationally.

 

[Planogirl]

If we are in a condo or something similar that has a washer and dryer, I'd say yes. I don't mind doing a load of laundry while I relax in the evening.

I pack light though. DS and I had small carryons when we spent a weekend in Philadelphia recently. And it was cold!

 

[Angelhalo]

Definitely, we take motorcycle trips, so I could do this no problem