Get packing.

Just a note to those travelling handluggage only. If you want to take makeup as well as toiletries, remember that it all has to fit in to one of those tiny see through plastic bags! I find them far too small for deodorant, toothpaste, skin toner, moisturiser never mind lipstick, foundation, mascara, even in those 100 ml sizes. ☹️

I fly regularly to Bratislva where my DS lives, mainly on rynanair, I weigh everything as far as possible as cannot lift case to weigh that once full! My first experience in November 2012, soon after my DH died, was paying £100 excess as I had booked 15kilo, case weighed 20! I just paid it as had too much else on my mind.

I learnt from that experience and book 20kg out and 15kg back, leave toiletries out there, I still hate the packing through, my husband never packed a case,. Always telling me not to take too much! Then would ask for items I had not taken!!

Since my husband died I have travelled, mostly alone, on more than 25 trips mostly to bratislava, but I still hate the packing, am relieved once checked in. I am now 76 and always arrange special assistance at airports, this is a brilliant service as the walk tihe gate is beyond me now.

Oh dear, we are heading off very shortly for a few days. The trunk is full, the back seats are full and we haven't finished yet. All of this is "just in case the weather changes". Anyone got a trailer ? Dread to think if we had a caravan.

Hello, Im new to this but found this discussion really interesting. I pack far too much and I always get the rolling eyes from the husband.
I did find though, a company that sells sleeves! I dont like my arms so packed too many shrugs and cardigans but with these you can wear them under dresses and tops for different looks and no bulk in the case. Its called If Only It Had Sleeves if anyone is interested.

I try to stick to Gok's capsule wardrobe (24 items max) when packing. Colour co-ordinated, and all that. Sometimes it works.

I have 3 suitcases plus the one that holds my luggie

Were you planning on handwashing, Westieyaya? Not all ships have self service laundries, and the laundry service can be very expensive.

I think this link shows the method best that I can find.
p-fst1.pixstatic.com/52555912dbfa3f0d480001cb._w.500_h.386_s.fit_.jpg Re f77m's msg. I entirely agree. I don't have a 'chic' bone in my body, and often feel frumpy especially on 'city' breaks. The best way I cope is to go low key, monotones, accessories and slightly smarter (but always comfortable) than I would normally wear. By the way, this packing method isn't rolling it seems to be called bundling or bundle wrapping, and it definitely gets more in. Only thing is to make sure you can pick the case up!

f77ms me too, and I usually panic and go and buy some things at the last minute that are never quite right.

I need to throw most of my stuff out and acquire a co-ordinated capsule wardrobe of clothes.
If I could find anything that suited me I would.

I have tried rolling things such as t shirts etc but I'm not convinced it makes any difference to wrinkles etc.

Hi Teetime, I use a method of packing that I saw on YouTube which is a bit like the folding we used to do with concertinaing bus tickets when you were little. I can't find it now as its more than a few years ago, but basically you put the clothes in the case as flat as possible, start with trousers in vertically with the body part in the case and the legs outside, shirts with the neck in but the arms and tails spread out at the side, then put the next things in, one by one. Then when you have all the clothes in there, with the arms etc outside the case, you start folding in the arms, tails of shirts, the legs of trousers etc making a sort of package, which is exactly the size of the case. I have probably described it really badly but it does work. Maybe someone else can suggest the right link? Clothes are packed flat so fewer wrinkles, socks and shoes fit down the side of the 'package', there is less air in their so more space for things, and it doesn't need extra equipment to do. Just a bit of practise. I use it all the time now. Have a lovely holiday!

f77ms I have the same problem but I am grateful for all the tips and suggestions on here.

Packing for holidays stresses me out so much . I don`t really know why ! I always end up on holiday with all the wrong sort of things ie jumpers and it turns out to be boiling hot or skimpy tops and then I am freezing and have to find a jumper shop. I have just returned from a trip to Paris and felt like such a frump , everyone is so beautifully dressed even the very old ladies look so elegant . I vowed to come home and throw most of my tat away but up to now haven`t done . So sorry no tips except not to follow my example ..

Me too! I have done this for years. I also keep a basic Christmas food shopping list and just make minor adjustments every year according to who we have coming. Quantities may vary but the basic elements remain the same.

I much prefer to go hand luggage only on a short trip because you get through the airports so quickly. I once got away with DH looking up at a notice at the busy boarding gate and reading out loud (very!) that the limit was 7kg, then adding "yours must be more than double that" (it was ).

I always expect to have my handbag mirror confiscated, and it never has been. It could make a much more effective weapon than the two corkscrews I've had taken off me.

I never travel with more than hand luggage and I usually fly Easyjet where weight isn't an issue. In the winter I wear a lot and in summer take my lightweight travel clothes, Rohan, Craghopper etc.Pocets are stuffed and I take travel sized toiletries. If we go anywhere by car that's a different story, but I do travel light as a rule.

I had a tiny pair of tweezers taken from my hand luggage at Manchester Airport; on another occasion, I arrived home and noticed that I was wearing a brooch with a pin of approximately 3" on my lapel which nobody at Edinburgh Airport had noticed.

Don't pack scissors in hand luge for Thailand, always have them taken from me!

Lol Jalima I wish. I'm sure I must have read it wrong but it did make me chuckle !

JackyB the restrictions apply to UK airports - other airports (particularly in the USA) may have different rules re blades etc and you should check with your airline re scissors, knitting needles, tweezers etc.

10 cases - are you going by private jet N&G?
although many airlines do allow 30kg pp in economy and allow two suitcases in the hold each.

We've upgraded for our flight next week and according to the bumf we can take 10 cases in the hold each :-)

I'm wondering how we fit them in the car to and from the airport I haven't told DH - he moans at the 2 we take( with 2 inside for shopping to bring home ) !!

OOh - I've just thought of something else. I bought a new set of underwear for last holiday - underpants and nightwear in microfibre. They are light in weight, don't crease, and can be washed out in the evening and dry overnight.

www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/personal-items

Here are the rules. Blades of up to 6 cm are allowed - scissors, pocket knives, knitting needles, tweezers etc.

I think there is a small limited length of blade that you are allowed to take nowadays - and nail scissors would certainly be within that limit.

Why carry a large bottle of sunscreen with you? Just a little tube for when you arrive should be enough. Sunscreen is available at all holiday resorts, and, as has been said, in some places it's cheaper!

I intentionally didn't take any toiletries with me when we went to the US, intending to have fun buying stuff there, but I was shocked at the prices once there and disappointed in the choice - it was no different from at home, really. Except there were no cheap products for €2.49 a bottle. The cheapest started at around $7!

Oh yes - copying passports etc is important. I seem to have got out of the habit of that.

I'll make an extra copy to leave at home while I'm at it.

Great advice from everyone. A little addition. I have a small draw string cotton bag in which I keep things for the bedside such as clock, torch, medication, lip balm etc. So handy each evening to know everything is there without searching the case.

Good point trisher, about the nail scissors. Must ask DD as she travels the world with just carry-on case. She says she buys trouser suits that also have a skirt and silk blouses weigh hardly anything, I am talking business trips so they are formal clothes. Holiday trips consist of shorts and light floaty things, wears the heaviest pair of shoes and packs the sandals, it helps that DD is only size 6 and not very tall