Anonymous wrote:I am a very efficient packer, and always only bring a carry on. How many outfits do you really wear? I went to Europe for two weeks this last winter and brought four outfits and two changes of PJs.

It was totally fine.

Some of us don’t like doing laundry on vacation. It’s a valid position.

I am a very efficient packer, and always only bring a carry on. How many outfits do you really wear? I went to Europe for two weeks this last winter and brought four outfits and two changes of PJs.

It was totally fine.

Anonymous wrote:nope, team checked bag. I like options, I'm not doing laundry in some hotel sink, and I also need to travel with a lot of camera equipment. I guess none of you buy any souvenirs when you travel? Everyone claims to be carry on only so much that it would seem the baggage claim area would be empty. Yet every flight i'm on (international or usa domestic), most of the plane is standing at baggage claim. I think a lot of people like to brag about this on the internet...for what reason, IDK?

Who is bragging? No, I don't buy souvenirs. Sometimes someone will ask for something specific, and if I can grab it I will, but otherwise I rarely bring anything back.

I don't think that everyone claims to be carry-on only, but I do think that people who check bags ALSO have a carry-on bag. The bag collection area can be full and they still make people gate check carry-ons. Some people are just very large packers and need 8 pairs of shoes, their full set of skin care, makeup, hair tools, multiple outfits a day, etc. Other people travel more simply. Different strokes for different folks.

I have just booked hotel rooms in Korea and in Japan that have en suite washing machines. Laundry soap is also provided.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Packing cubes are additional things to add to luggage. Dumb to use.

I use them all the time. They’re helpful for packing lightly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:nope, team checked bag. I like options, I'm not doing laundry in some hotel sink, and I also need to travel with a lot of camera equipment. I guess none of you buy any souvenirs when you travel? Everyone claims to be carry on only so much that it would seem the baggage claim area would be empty. Yet every flight i'm on (international or usa domestic), most of the plane is standing at baggage claim. I think a lot of people like to brag about this on the internet...for what reason, IDK?

Sounds like you've never been separated from your luggage for days with only your plane outfit to wear and rewear while on an overseas trip.

That's why I bring a carry on too, with clothes. Never had an issue *crosses fingers*

+1. We put some clothes and essentials in a carryon. Plus our travel insurance reimburses for delayed luggage.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:nope, team checked bag. I like options, I'm not doing laundry in some hotel sink, and I also need to travel with a lot of camera equipment. I guess none of you buy any souvenirs when you travel? Everyone claims to be carry on only so much that it would seem the baggage claim area would be empty. Yet every flight i'm on (international or usa domestic), most of the plane is standing at baggage claim. I think a lot of people like to brag about this on the internet...for what reason, IDK?

Sounds like you've never been separated from your luggage for days with only your plane outfit to wear and rewear while on an overseas trip.

That's why I bring a carry on too, with clothes. Never had an issue *crosses fingers*

Anonymous wrote:

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

Packing cubes are additional things to add to luggage. Dumb to use.

Anonymous wrote:nope, team checked bag. I like options, I'm not doing laundry in some hotel sink, and I also need to travel with a lot of camera equipment. I guess none of you buy any souvenirs when you travel? Everyone claims to be carry on only so much that it would seem the baggage claim area would be empty. Yet every flight i'm on (international or usa domestic), most of the plane is standing at baggage claim. I think a lot of people like to brag about this on the internet...for what reason, IDK?

Sounds like you've never been separated from your luggage for days with only your plane outfit to wear and rewear while on an overseas trip.

nope, team checked bag. I like options, I'm not doing laundry in some hotel sink, and I also need to travel with a lot of camera equipment. I guess none of you buy any souvenirs when you travel? Everyone claims to be carry on only so much that it would seem the baggage claim area would be empty. Yet every flight i'm on (international or usa domestic), most of the plane is standing at baggage claim. I think a lot of people like to brag about this on the internet...for what reason, IDK?

Anonymous wrote:Carry on with a backpack.

We did this last year for our two week vacation to Portugal and are doing to again this year for our two week trip to Portugal. 8KG limit on the carry-ons. Don't want to pay the extra money to have any checked bags accidentally shipped to Moscow (that actually did happen one time when our final destination was Seville.) Should be fun.

Anonymous wrote:For longer trips I often do carry on and purchase a bag for check in on the way back for the family. We often accumulate clothes, products, books, or souvenirs we bought abroad.

I think packing your own foldable duffle idea is good too but a lot of countries have inexpensive duffles or plastic equivalents you can purchase when you arrive.

For longer trips I often do carry on and purchase a bag for check in on the way back for the family. We often accumulate clothes, products, books, or souvenirs we bought abroad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in the minority on this thread but I’m team checked luggage. I don’t like limiting my shoes in case some get wet or cause blisters, I like to pack my own blow dryer, I like to have lots of OTC meds just in case, I do not like to do laundry in sinks, and I don’t like the stress of finding overhead bin space. I use AirTags / tiles in my checked luggage and that prevented an issue once. Usually no problems.

+1. We are the same. We are certainly not overpackers either. Still just a person item and suitcase, but our suitcase is full size.

For our family - it's a matter of planning what you pack. For shoes, we wear one, bring one. Both pairs have been tested at home and aren't going to give us blisters. If I am attending a special event or activity I might add a third pair. AirTags/Tiles will work as long as they are within Bluetooth range of an iPhone. I think the big differences I see in the responses are the kind of travel you are doing or the type of traveler you are.

For us we like to move between locations - usually on public transportation - we want to be nimble and our vacations active. So we do carry ons and have clothing that is washable - whether its the sink or a hotel service or a laundrymat. If we are going some place that is a non-stop, staying in one location and covering a lot of different ground - work, personal, wedding, or a gear heavy activities (camping/hiking) etc then we would consider checking a bag. That bag would still be on the small size - it might not fit in the overhead. We usually bring a collapsible duffle bag or backpack in case we need to expand our bags on the trip home. I have yet to bring a hairdryer with me and I've been traveling for over 30 years. Either there is one available where I am, or I let my hair do its thing. We do bring OTC medications and one family member has to have their specific body gel and shampoo.

It comes down to personal preference. To the OP - for a one week trip to another country - yes, that would be carryon for me and my family.

Anonymous wrote:I’m in the minority on this thread but I’m team checked luggage. I don’t like limiting my shoes in case some get wet or cause blisters, I like to pack my own blow dryer, I like to have lots of OTC meds just in case, I do not like to do laundry in sinks, and I don’t like the stress of finding overhead bin space. I use AirTags / tiles in my checked luggage and that prevented an issue once. Usually no problems.

+1. We are the same. We are certainly not overpackers either. Still just a person item and suitcase, but our suitcase is full size.