Light (but not extreme) packers

[kellymarch]

I want to be able to pack relatively lightly this trip Feb.28-March 7. I'm thinking of having each of the 4 of us take a backpack as our carry on, then each checking a small/carry on suitcase as our checked baggage.

What would you pack clothing-wise in this instance? We would wear jeans, sneakers, t-shirts & sweaters/hoodies on the plane.

 

[natfrac]

Not knowing the ages of everyone in your party, I can tell you how I pack when I carry on my luggage. I take a tote bag along with a rolling suitcase. In the tote bag, I put all toiletries, electronics, plus my purse. In the carry on (for one week), 3 pairs pants (jeans/capris/shorts), 7 tee shirts, pj bottoms (use t shirt worn during the day for pj top), socks, underwear, and 1 pair extra shoes. We usually go when it's too cold to swim, but I'd throw in a swim suit for the time of year you're going. I always wear the bulkiest clothes on the plane.

Just re-read OP. Since you're checking a bag for each, no need to pack too light. I would add additional pants to my list above.

 

[kellymarch]

Thanks, it's the extreme weather switch (I hope) that makes me over-pack. At least, that's my story & I'm sticking to it! We're up in the Northeast (Canada's Maritimes) and have just had a blizzard. Can't wait for Florida & hope the weather is hot and sunny for us!

Kids are 7 & 12. We will definitely pack swimsuits and will be disappointed if we don't get to use them!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Just curious as to why you are checking a carry on bag. You can use the backpack as your personal item and still take the carry on with you.

Then there would be no need to wait for luggage.

 

[dvcterry]

When we travel we each take a small travel suitcase on board & each carry-on a backpack as our personal bag.

We pack tees, pants/jeans, shorts, bathing suit, underwear, socks, sweatshirt, hoodies, & sandals.

We keep the medicine & toiletries in the backpack for airport screening, along with electronic, laptop, camera and my purse.

We don't check anything in, carry-on everything, check in & get boarding passes ahead & we've found it easier than packing larger suitcases.

 

[kellymarch]

We are doing a direct charter flight & I think we are only allowed one carry on (no "additional" personal bag) and one checked bag each. We could probably get everything into just carry-ons, but there is no baggage fee , so I figured we'd check the small suitcases.

I'm pretty sure we can fit 7 days' worth of outfits, but just trying to decide if we should (laundry is always an option). Last time we came home with a medium-sized suitcase full of clean, never-worn clothes.

 

[aubriee]

We are doing a direct charter flight & I think we are only allowed one carry on (no "additional" personal bag) and one checked bag each. We could probably get everything into just carry-ons, but there is no baggage fee , so I figured we'd check the small suitcases.

I'm pretty sure we can fit 7 days' worth of outfits, but just trying to decide if we should (laundry is always an option). Last time we came home with a medium-sized suitcase full of clean, never-worn clothes.

In that case, innstead of checking four small carry on size bags, why not just check one or two large duffels. They'd be less to keep up with.

 

[berryinDC]

I think your plan is definitely doable. If you're planning on living out of your suitcases, want more organization, or need everyone to carry/roll their own bags it makes sense to bring 4 smaller suitcases. Otherwise, two or three might be less to negotiate if you're able to lift them, plan on emptying out into drawers, and can organize items so it's easy to unpack.

When I travel from my cold home to a warm climate, I usually pack entirely for the warm climate but bring one warm sweater, sweatshirt or fleece (and sometimes a scarf) to layer on during my travels. You'll probably spend most of the time indoors or in a car/bus/train, so there's really no reason to bring an outfit just for cold weather.

 

[mamabear0222]

What does everyone do about winter coats??

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[berryinDC]

It depends on how cold it is. Personally, I almost never wear a winter coat when I'm traveling to a warmer place. I bring gloves, a scarf and sometimes a hat if it's really cold (I have a lot of hair to keep my head warm, lol). These take up a lot less room than a coat, and i don't have to lug them around. I can just shove them in my luggage at the airport on the way there or pull them out of my carrying on the way home. I don't mind dealing with the cold for a few minutes, especially if my hands are warm.

For kids, you could plan on packing their coats into the luggage at the airport. I often do that with my niece. A lighter weight or crushable coat over a warm sweater would work as well, if it's not to cold.

 

[mamabear0222]

It depends on how cold it is. Personally, I almost never wear a winter coat when I'm traveling to a warmer place. I bring gloves, a scarf and sometimes a hat if it's really cold (I have a lot of hair to keep my head warm, lol). These take up a lot less room than a coat, I can just shove them in my luggage at the airport on the way there or pull them out

I agree I'm just worried about the kids in feb weather. ..

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[berryinDC]

Sorry, it posted before I finished! Silly phone. Yep, I agree that kids need a coat or jacket at minimum. I would plan enough space in the luggage to add them to your bags that you plan on checking once you get to the airport.