Carry-on only for week-long trip to another country?

[Anonymous]

Leaving tomorrow and can't decide whether to take a carry-on or check. I will only have to trim a couple of items to take a carry-on. I don't want to spend the extra money to check, but more importantly, I don't want to risk lost luggage. Vs. carrying my carry-on for hours, including a domestic stop to change planes, and not being able to purchase anything other than the smallest souvenir. Help!

[Anonymous]

Carry on all the way. We did a trip that included ten days in three European countries and committed to a carryon and backpack per person. It totally cured my lifelong habit of overpacking and I’ve never went back.

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that you can always hand wash knit polyester items and they usually dry quickly. I did this on a recent trip with pants and it worked well.

[Anonymous]

I am actually more likely to check when I have a decent connection because I hate dealing with carryon in the airport (and trying to find overhead space on two planes vs one), and on int’l flights you lose some time to customs usually so it’s often not that big a difference. Sometimes we bring carryon sized bags and check them.

So I am here to support the idea of checking, but if it’s just one or two items ask yourself if you need them (and if you do can you fit them in your personal item).

[Anonymous]

Why not do a carry-on and a backpack?

[Anonymous]

I do carry-on and use packing tubes and always pack one or two outfits that are easy to wash in sink if needed. I used to always check my bags but the last several years have had many delayed bags and that was a lot more disruptive then just trimming my outfits.

When the entire family is traveling and it is a longer trip, we will all bring one carry-on and share one checked bag to hold a few extra items, particularly full size toiletries and shoes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not do a carry-on and a backpack?

+1 we did this to Europe a few months ago. We were there for a week.

Packing cubes
rolled up socks, panties into extra pair of shoes
smaller toiletry bottles - I used contact lense cases
layer on the plane with a sweater and coat or whatever outwear you have

[Anonymous]

Carry-on with a foldable tote or canvas bag in case you need another bag for souvenirs.

Also, I think it depends on the type of trip. If you're staying in one place and doing a lot of shopping, check in is fine. If you're hopping around a lot or taking trains, carry-on all the way

[Anonymous]

Add me to the chorus of carry on only! I did 3 weeks in asia with carry on. Laundry is very cheap in certain places, some hotels have laundry facilities and you can always hand wash items in your hotel/airbnb.

[Anonymous]

Carry on with a backpack.

[Anonymous]

I've done a lot of carryon only international trips. Easier in the summer than in the winter. If I buy something I just check luggage on the return trip. We bought wine in Italy last fall so had to check that for the return and it was fine.

I do have a relatively large personal item which has space for a couple of pairs of shoes and other things that help to stretch my international size carryon.

Normally we've had some access to laundry, but I've had a couple of trips where we didn't and we just washed a couple of things in the sink to get through 7-8 days.

[Anonymous]

I only do carry-on, including for trips lasting up to 3 weeks. I take enough clothes for 4-7 days and I do hand laundry (underwear) and/or wash clothes at an AirBnB or laundromat while there. It works fine.

[Anonymous]

Carry on, definitely. If you're doing a small connector flight, make sure you read about restrictions. I ended up having to check mine on a connection from Spain to Portugal because it was too big.

[Anonymous]

Carry-on all the way. I leave space in my backpack for things I might want to purchase on the trip - but having limited space means I think hard about buying anything. Chances are I really don't need it. And if it's something big and expensive then I'm going to have it shipped home. Everything else fits or it doesn't.

I have spent way too much of my life overpacking, and dragging suitcases and I just don't want to anymore. I'm highly motivated to make it work - it does require forethought - types of clothes, plan for trip activities, access to laundry etc. But I can make it 10 days easy - winter or summer with my current setup. And not bringing things home has been freeing as well. We don't need more stuff in our house.

To assure myself that I have what I need - I do a day-by-day overview of clothes and activities. What I will re-wear, what will be washed, and when I might have time to do laundry. If a piece of clothing I think I will need doesn't fit - then I either wear it on the play or it stays home. I tell myself I don't even own a bigger suitcase - this is it and I have to make it work. The trips have been so much better as a result.

[Anonymous]

Just got back from a 10 day trip to Asia with carry on only and last fall did the same for an 8 day trip to Europe. Have found you always need less than you think you do. Use packing cubes and stuff any extra shoes with socks, etc. Do only one color scheme and limit shoes. For women, small shoes like ballet flats are great for adding variety without bulking up your suitcase. For Asia, I did one pair sandals, one pair slip on flats, one pair water shoes/sandals, and one pair sneakers (worn on plane since biggest). Use a good sized personal item for extra space (i carry a Baggalini bag that can expand to hold a lot and DH uses a backpack).

You can always decide to check a carry on if it is being too difficult for you to handle or if the bins fill up, but once you bring a bag that has to be checked you are committed to checking. Also, big bags cause issues moving around foreign cities, on trains, etc.