How do you get away with only Carry-ons??

[ocalla]

I would love to try and do carry-ons only for our next trip, but don't know where to start!!

Does carry-on size luggage differ from one airline to another? When shopping for carry-on size luggage, what should I be looking for? I have not purchased luggage in years.

And would this work for 2 adults and 1 13 year old for 6 nights?

We packed way too much for our trip this past July, because I washed clothes twice (which I don't mind doing), but this trip is in March, so I;m sure I will need to bring a couple of warmer jackets/hoodies just in case.

Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[goofy4tink]

Bare essentials. We pack pretty lightly, so going with carryon isn't a big deal. But, there are times I just don't want to make the effort to do carryon only. When I fly solo, I seldom check bags. But, for the three of us, for more than 4 or 5 days, we tend to check bags.
So...if you decide to go with carryon only..check out your airlines website. They will give you the dimensions for carryon bags. It's usually something like 21x19x4 or so...counting any handles and wheels.
Pack a change of clothes to cover 4 days and then do laundry. I tend to pack more underwear though..just in case. Shoes are the big issue...wear your clunkiest shoes if possible. People tend to take too many prs of shoes in my opinion. Toiletries...well, there's the issue. They have to be small enough to fill that '3oz' stipulation for TSA regulations. And that is an issue for a lot of people. But, each person gets his/her own 3-1-1 baggie, so you may very well be able to fit enough 3oz containers in there to satisfy your needs for a short trip. But again, take only what is necessary..no 'what if I need them' things.

Do a dry run...see what you can do away with. You may find it to be easier than you think to do just carryon. Each person gets that larger carryon bag, that goes in the overhead bin, as well as a personal item...my dh has his computer briefcase as his personal item, while dd (16) and I have a pretty sizable totebag or backpack as our personal item. Those hold quite a bit of stuff.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We do carry on only a lot. I plan to do landry...which is mandatory relaxation time. I will also wear something more than once as long as it doesn't smell or have a spill on it. Shoes and toiletries are the problem. I have knee problems so I need good shoes but I also do not wear the same pair 2 days in a row. When you pack shoes make sure that you stuff things inside of them...socks and undies fit well. With the toiletries I will often leave out some things that I normally use every day. We try to bring things that we can share to also cut down on items.

 

[RumpleMom]

We really like having an Owner's Locker. It makes packing so easy. We keep full size bottles of toiletries in it.

We went to the beach this year, instead of WDW, and it took so much longer to pack for our trip.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I always travel with carry-on only, even for trips as long as 14 days in Europe. Most people pack far too many things. You aren't putting on a fashion show for fellow travelers - no one cares if you wear the same thing twice! It can get complicated in cold weather, but I usually carry on a coat and pack a wool sweater in my luggage.

Check the web sites of the airlines you fly most often for luggage sizes and try and buy luggage on the small side if you want to do carry on only.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We don't do carry on only but will be cutting down on checked bags for our next trip because we are flying on Airtran. A friend of mine does carry-ons only but they buy all their toiletries and such when they get there and then leave them there before they come home.

 

[Pakey]

I travel with carry on only and since I travel internationally, my carry on size is small enough for that. For my toiletries, I buy the smaller containers for my shampoo, moisturizer, etc and I've never had a problem fitting everything I needed in a quart bag, even for a 14 day trip. I try to wear the heavier of my 2 pairs of shoes and pack the other. In cold weather, I carry my jacket and pack a sweater. I have a second tote that fits under my seat where I put my electronics and heavy items so that it's easy for me to lift my carryon into the overhead bin.

There is a lot of difference in interior space in carry on luggage. My husband has a Samsonite spinner 22" and it holds a lot less than my Tumi 19". I've owned a lot of luggage and I'm very happy with the Tumi.

 

[Luv4Disney]

I've found I can fit more things if I roll our clothes.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've found I can fit more things if I roll our clothes.

Absolutely. I've just started doing that..takes less room and the clothes stay neater as well.

 

[2Tiggies]

I've found I can fit more things if I roll our clothes.

Absolutely. I've just started doing that..takes less room and the clothes stay neater as well.

My brother has done this for years and we always teased him that it was because he didn't know how to fold clothes However, he is a master packer! He rolls everything and then packs things into other things. He 'packs' his socks tightly into his shoes for example and uses up every spare inch of space. His bags are airtight but when he unpacks it looks like a magic hat - just incredible that so much can fit in there.

 

[DisMN]

I've found I can fit more things if I roll our clothes.

Never understood that....rolling my clothes takes up significantly more space in my suitcase. I just don't understand. LOL

 

[gparr]

Has anyone ever used those space saver bags? Do they really work?

 

[pgjam]

Hi:
we only do carry-on; we fly out of Phila. & my DH hates to wait for the bags when we return. We usually go in January & I wear my jeans & sweatshirt on the flight. I do laundry have gotten used to less toiletries. I do use my son's bag for some of my stuff since he only needs it for deodorant & toothpaste. There is a company called LUSH that sell solid shampoo - one less liquid, great shampoo & lasts forever.
have fun pgjam

 

[Hunclemarco]

Owners Locker for us.... http://www.ownerslocker.com

 

[poohbear8]

I did carry on only last year with DD and myself. We had a backpack on wheels and 2 backpacks. Inside the rolling backpack was a large tote bag for the trip home. (It held the supersize Mr Potato Head)

I hand washed a few items and hung them to dry during the day. We go in Oct. and wear jeans on the plane and a sweatshirt. I only take sneakers, due to foot/heel issues that is all I can wear there.

My concern this year isn't how will I pack, it's more of a concern of will there be room on the plane. I just worry that there will be no room and I will have to pay to check it.

IF you decide to buy carry on luggage....check the airlines you MIGHT fly. We are flying down on Jet Blue and back on United. United's size for carry on is 2 inches smaller than Jet Blue. That has stopped me from buying a new bag.

 

[chamonix]

I would love to try and do carry-ons only for our next trip, but don't know where to start!!

Does carry-on size luggage differ from one airline to another? When shopping for carry-on size luggage, what should I be looking for? I have not purchased luggage in years.

And would this work for 2 adults and 1 13 year old for 6 nights?

We packed way too much for our trip this past July, because I washed clothes twice (which I don't mind doing), but this trip is in March, so I;m sure I will need to bring a couple of warmer jackets/hoodies just in case.

Any tips would be appreciated.

well, there's a problem right there: you don't need "a couple" of anything basic. One jacket or sweatshirt is enough for 6 days in March, and bonus! You can wear it on the plane! Think about what you absolutely need, not what you want. Plan what you will actually wear each day and don't bring anything extra that you "might" wear. Plan for layers so you can deal with weather. Wear a bulky shoe and bring ONE other pair (if you have to have a 3rd pair, make one flip flops or teeny flats) Utilize your second carryon. Watch the weather websites before you go and pack accordingly. You really don't need much stuff, if you do not bring it you will not miss it! Don't bring all the crazy extras lots of DIS folks pack. For example, they sell bandaids, moleskin, tylenol, etc at WDW, why bring them if more than likely you will not need them, and if you do, they have them? I always tell my husband it's not like we're going to Siberia or the Moon, they do have stores there. I would rather gamble on needing something and having to buy it there that might cost a little bit more than at home than having to deal with checking a bag.

I never check luggage; my most recent trip I just got back from 2 weeks in Europe with just a carryon. Not because of cost, bags are free for me on AA, but because I hate to wait for them, I like to change my flights whenever I want and standby on earlier flights (can't do that if you check bags) hop on other flights when mine goes mechanical, is delayed, etc, and mainly because I had my bag lost once, and the airline never found it again. Never check anything you are not prepared to never see again!

 

[ocalla]

well, there's a problem right there: you don't need "a couple" of anything basic. One jacket or sweatshirt is enough for 6 days in March, and bonus! You can wear it on the plane! Think about what you absolutely need, not what you want. Plan what you will actually wear each day and don't bring anything extra that you "might" wear. Plan for layers so you can deal with weather. Wear a bulky shoe and bring ONE other pair (if you have to have a 3rd pair, make one flip flops or teeny flats) Utilize your second carryon. Watch the weather websites before you go and pack accordingly. You really don't need much stuff, if you do not bring it you will not miss it! Don't bring all the crazy extras lots of DIS folks pack. For example, they sell bandaids, moleskin, tylenol, etc at WDW, why bring them if more than likely you will not need them, and if you do, they have them? I always tell my husband it's not like we're going to Siberia or the Moon, they do have stores there. I would rather gamble on needing something and having to buy it there that might cost a little bit more than at home than having to deal with checking a bag.

Thanks So Much!!!! I never thought about that, and the airport and planes can be kind of cold (cold for me, Southern Blood here). And like you it's not about the extra cost, it's about the Lugging of Luggage.

we soooooo overpacked in July, and we were there for 8 days. I washed twice while relaxing at the pool, it was not a problem for me.

 

[hsmamato2]

last trip we stayed 2 weeks-family of 4 carry ons only we rolled clothes and packed carefully-I planned about 4-5 days worth of interchangeable clothes i.e. you can wear one shirt with various shorts,etc- and did laundry on the 6th day- no big deal at all! most of us could re-wear some of the clothes,we aren't that sloppy!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We wear our bulky clothes such as jeans or sweatshirts or jacket. Pack only clothes for a couple days and wash clothes while there. I use the purex laundry sheets that contain laundry soap and softner in one sheet. I plan to do laundry around the same time we are spending time at the pool. Since most laundry area's are by the pool, it works out well.
You can also take on another small bag along with your carry on. I usually take a back pack to stow under the seat.

 

[snowy76]

Most people pack far too many things. You aren't putting on a fashion show for fellow travelers - no one cares if you wear the same thing twice!

ITA with this. Earlier this summer I saw a story on GMA or Today about a website where people pledged to only wear six items of clothing for a month. In most cases no one ever noticed these folks recycling the same items; we're also talking all walks of life here, as some of these people had fairly professional, high-profile jobs.

The key is to choose a lot of neutrals that you can mix and match to get different looks. If you try to wear your hot pink Eeyore shirt for six days, no one else will probably know until they see your trip photos

Now that I sound like Stacy and Clinton from TLC, I'll stop blabbing.