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

[TinklednPants]

Not a chance. I use one bag just for shoes.

 

[bookgirl]

I could if I had to, so I said "sure". I might not want to since I do like to have some options, but if it was a problem I could take a min. amount of clothes and switch them around hopefully have access to laundry. Honestly now that there are so many ways to compact the other things (books/music/multipurpose phones, HBA items, etc) I take a lot less stuff with me. Plus there's always a walmart nearby.

 

[scrapquitler]

The last time we went, we each had a backpack for a carryon, and then we packed all our 'stuff' in two large rolling duffle bags.... for 4 people for 10 days. But I usually do laundry when we go.

 

[landshark]

If my destination is warm enough to wear summer clothing, I totally can (last trip to WDW was 9 days and all I had was my carry-on suitcase and a bookbag). The clothing is just so much smaller/thinner that it's easy to cram a lot of shirts in and 2-3 pairs of shorts I can keep rotating as well as anything else I need. Might still be able to manage it even if my destination is cold.

After all the horror stories I've heard about lost luggage and whatnot, I just don't want to take chances. I like knowing my little suitcase is always in my possession and it makes getting through and out of the airports faster. Also a lot less I have to keep track of in hotels and unpack when I get home.

 

[java]

I backpacked through Europe when I was younger. I still remember that grey dress I word all the time- I brought a grey tee shirt dress, white shorts, black shorts,Black skirt and a pair of white pants, a couple tank tops a jumper type dress-and a SCARF! Bathing suits. Wore sneakers and brought a pair of black shoes.
Now that Scarf was what I used to change it up for myself. I would tie it around my waist(triangle so it would show) Or wear it as a top. Or use it in my hair. Or whatever.
Of couse I was 21 at the time.
Now I take as little as possible with 6 people traveling. And I do laundry on vacation.

 

[PatsGirl]

Warm weather w/ casual wear, no problem. I can easily go to WDW or a beach vacation for 7-10 days with a carry-on and even manage to pack a few cute sundresses and sandals for evening wear.

Cruises require a bigger bag and ski/winter vacations need even more luggage I just came home from a 4-day ski vacation and it's hardly worth the effort, lol...

 

[quentina]

I never check luggage..............NEVER! I wash clothes.

Too be honest, when we are done picking up our rental, we stop and buy some suave shampoo, toothpaste etc. We throw away what is left when vacation is over.

We are in the car by the time the luggage comes down the shoot. I have always hated that wait so, about 8 years ago....I just stopped checking bags. I gate check the stroller if we have it.

 

[ratherbeatdisney]

its MUCH easier than people think. If you are going to WDW, bring whatever you want, for the most part you are staying at one hotel, so it doesnt matter. but for Extended travel, like taking the train around Europe for a few weeks, one bag is the way to go. Any frequent traveler learns VERY quickly that less luggage = happier traveling. check out the website http://www.onebag.com/ they have LOTS of great resources. if you want carry 2 giant suit cases all over Europe, trying to carry it up lots of staircases, on trains, on buses and all of that, go for it. i guarantee the person carrying one bag has a better trip. Rick Steves travels for 3-4 months every year with only one carry on size bag. I know it sounds crazy at first, but it can be done, and its a much better way to travel. you will blend in much easier also, its kind of obvious who the tourists is when you see them schlepping a giant suitcase all over the place. it makes you a HUGE target...

 

[ratherbeatdisney]

i forgot to add, there is an old saying " there are 2 types of luggage, Carry on luggage and Lost luggage" check your bag enough times , and it will get lost eventually. Sometimes it takes a week for them to find it, if at all. I would much rather have all my belongings on my back. as someone in the travel industry, you have NO idea how often these airlines lose things. I just read a story a few weeks ago also about a couple who just finally got caught stealing suitcases from the airport in phoenix. when the cops went to their house, which was a large house with no close neighbors, their house was FILLED with hundreds and hundreds of stolen suitcases. How many ruined vacations did they cause? No thank you !

 

[Planogirl]

My biggest problem is that I like to bring jeans and they are bulky and heavy. If I could just get past that.

There is talk that soon all carry on liquid items might be banned on airlines. If that is true, that makes using only a carry on a real problem.

 

[manning]

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.

An old army trick and it works. I don't know if things changed but when I was in the army in the 60s, everything you owned was packed in one duffle bag. You travelled with one duffle bag and one carryon.

I hoped airlines have gotten better with check-in. I was stationed at fort sill ok and there was one large building there with lost duffle bags at least 20 feet high. There were 40 people there tracing were the soldier was stationed at and reshipping the bags.

 

[manning]

Hint...My aunt and uncle got this from a tour group vacation to china.

Pack old underwear and socks. As you change to clean ones throw the dirty ones away. Gives you room to pack things you buy.