Flying - How many suitcases for a week with two parents and one child?

[Anonymous]

Help an overpacker, how many suitcases should I need?

[Anonymous]

We do two checked and three very lightly packed carrying, mostly reserved for plane snacks and activities.

[Anonymous]

I did one big one for everyone plus a small backpack for the plane with a change of clothes and diapers/snacks/toys.

[Anonymous]

I would do 2 - one for each of you and then split the kids stuff between you. Depends where you are going and what you are doing though. I can do a week long business trip with a carry on. But if it's a trip that requires special stuff (hiking boots? sports equipment? formal wear?) then a suitcase is needed. Don't forget the 50 lb limit on checked luggage.

[Anonymous]

Depends on where you're going - beach, hiking, etc. I would say no more than one big or two small checked bags, plus carry ons (2 backpacks).

[Anonymous]

We did two weeks abroad with one checked suitcase and two backpacks for two adults and one 18 mo old. We did have access to laundry over there, though. One backpack was dedicated to kid stuff - diapers, change of clothes, small toys, Ergo, etc - and the other mostly grownup stuff - traveling documents, laptop, camera, food, toiletries.

[Anonymous]

If no special gear is needed, I wiuod say two carry-on suitcases and two daypack size backpacks (& smaller backpack with toys for kid to wear, if desired). That way you don't have to pay for any checked luggage.

[Anonymous]

Depends on what you are doing and the age of your child. When our DS was younger DH and I shared one larger suitcase (checked), and we had one smaller suitcase that could be a carry-on for DS. Plus a backpack carry-on filled with kids stuff. Now our DS is older he gets his own carry-on sized roller bag, and we each take a similar size. What can't fit can't come. I hate having to deal with suitcases and if we could get away with less I'd be happier. I found too much stuff you have to lug it, carry it, find space in rental cars, hotel rooms etc. Limiting what you bring or the size of a bag usually means we can't bring back much - but each bag does have an option to expand it - although its no longer a carry on at that point. For beach trips - if we are driving - no worries more stuff comes, if we are flying we just purchase things at our destination. Each person is allowed 2 shoes - one to wear on and one to pack (only exception is for a special event like a wedding or graduation). The longer trips - we attempt to find an apartment with a washing machine/drier so we only pack for one week and spend part of day doing laundry. Layers for clothing if its colder, vacuum pack bullky items like sweaters. I do a trial packing before we go, attempt to carry the suitcase to the car and load it in - if its too heavy then I re-pack. I don't allow for extended bags to leave the house unless we have gifts for people we are visiting and I will have space for stuff to bring back once that is left. For us we really value light weight easy to get around bags - so while I might want to pack for every scenario - realistically you don't need to. I find the most stressful part of the trip is thinking ahead what clothes works well together so I can wear them in several ways - a light weight dress for a nice dinner out, a sweater or wrap in case its cold, just the right number of pants/shorts etc. I try to bring the clothes that we wear the most and like the most at home rather than buying something new just for the trip. If you know it fits and you wear it around the house then its just the perfect thing for a vacation.

[Anonymous]

We have done 2 weeks in Europe with one larger checked bag (just below 50 lbs), one carry-on size bag and a backpack. If we are hiking then its a little tougher but it usually means we have to wear the hiking boots on the plane, camping with gear is much more challenging. A beach trip is easy - don't need that much, a ski trip is very gear and stuff intensive. Also depends on the age of the kid, accomodations where you are going - a place to do laundry? Don't need much. I can do a business trip for a week in one carry on. Trips to Europe with laundry facility - easy to do a small carry on.

[Anonymous]

I agree it depends on where you are going and if you are renting a car once you get there. We usually do 2 suitcases or duffel type bags and then a carry on for each. If we are renting a car and staying someplace in the states, we never pack toiletries or things we can buy when we get there since we always hit a Walmart or Target Superstore upon arrival. And we always stay in places with either an in room washer/dryer or a hotel with one and just do laundry as we go, that way we don't have to pack as many clothes. When my dd was younger we would ship a bag ahead of time or on the return so we didn't have a bag to check. I know alot of people that do this for Hawaii, esp when staying in a condo. They ship their stuff early and only do a carry on and then do a quick grocery trip when they get there.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on where you're going and what you're doing. Warmer weather you'll fit more items into the bag, as opposed to colder weather. How many pairs of shoes are needed (based on activities)? Do you need to account for rain/snow gear?

We take one large checked bag (bulk of our items), one carry on, and 2 personal (carry on has basic necessities incase the large one doesn't make it, and the 2 person are one diaper bag solely for DD and one bookbag with our iPads, a sweater, snacks, etc).

[Anonymous]

Last time we did this (with a 2yo)--one regular suitcase & one rollaboard, plus carry-on (purse, diaper bag, computer bag).

Next time I plan to do 2 rollaboard & a backpack b(which we will check)--lugging the large suitcase is a pain.

[Anonymous]

Also, it might help to look at packing lists. Here's what I'd pack for a week trip (as an example to a city destination, weather in the 60s-70s, so like DC right now).

Wear on the plane; jeans, shirt, light waterproof jacket, sturdy slip-on walking shoes

Pack:
undies for 4-5 days
ditto socks
one more pair pants
2 skirts or 1 skirt & 1 dress--one of which would be a dressier combo
lightweight sweater
3-4 shirts/tees
couple bras
pair of sandals (maybe, depending on weather forecast)
fleece or sweater
minimal toiletries, but include a couple laundry detergent packs to handwash undies in room
jewelry
a book to read

I can fit all of this in my rollaboard case--and the key part for me is that all the clothes should go together. I typically pick a couple of co-ordinating colors, and everything is one of those colors or a neutral, so I can layer and mix and match.

[Anonymous]

It's all about planning. Plan only outfits that work with one pair of shoes. (I usually work around a color scheme bringing only black pants, navy or beige/brown and tops that work with that) Plan outfits where you can wear pants/shorts more than once. Plan outfits that pack small. Plan outfits that can work with warm temps or in cooler temps by adding a sweater. Plan to do laundry at hotel or wherever you stay. I just did a week away with 2 preteens. We each had our own suitcases and it was more than enough. For a small child, that stuff could easily go in parents' bags.

[Anonymous]

We just did a 2 week international trip with 2 carry-on sized bags and a backpack! Two parents and one toddler.
Very proud of myself