Travel

[SurferWife]

We typically travel with 4 bags total, 2 carry-on and 2 checked.  It's plenty for us.

[granddi]

@qualitygal And I thought it was just MY hubby that was a packing nut. 

He is somewhat restrained on air trips but road trips are quite interesting. He takes any possible otc med you can think of including misc items. He wants his own hangers (even on air trips). He sleeps with a wedge pillow and for a while we had a blow up pillow. Have now convinced him to just order more from hotel. 

I could go on.

Travel humidifier, beverages, snacks, heating pad, pillows, drinking cups, his own sweetners, multiple pr of eyeglasses. 

You get the point. 

[Twins Mom]

@qualitygal 

Apparently I don't have very good packing skills since for 40 years my husband has me collect what I want packed and then he does the packing.  Guess its the age but I am liking this process less and less.  When I get out ahead of time, I forget what I have done.  

[qualitygal]

Well, we're back, and I think we did ok. For 7 days, I had outfits I didn't wear, and same for him.  We both wore 1 pair of the same shoes the whole time.  LOL.  But at this age, we readjusted our thinking and no more out of state vacations.  It was really wonderful, but we just can't do what our mind's would like for us to do.  We even napped on vacation.  Felt like babies,  eat, sleep, potty, repeat.  LOL!!!!!!

Got to do the laundry, then grocery list, then, hair wash, last of laundry when dry.  I'll sleep good tonight.  Hope you all are doing good!!

[lynnie61]

I haven't flown for a couple years, but not a great car trip packer.  Went to the beach this year, took WAY less, and I survived on one small suitcase and a tote.  We took linens and beach chairs, so the car was pretty full, but clothes wise, we were in bathing suits most of the day, and had access to laundry in our house.  3 travelers.  

I know we have always taken too much, why?  I think I finally have it figured out.  

[KKlim]

Very Interesting reading everyone’s packing strategies!
I’m a terrible packer!! I would love to become more of a pro at it. Forget about when I have to fly somewhere. I’m overloaded w/ big suitcases, carryons, backpacks, etc..☹️

[Stray]

Well I don’t know about reasonable but we always take two large suitcases that are checked in & two carry ons but the one carry on gets checked thru going but coming home, we bring it on board as it’s usually filled with delicate souvenirs.

I don’t carry a purse when I fly but put my empty IGKWIP tote in the on board carry on. Just before we board & after we go thru security, I remove it & just fill it with things we need until we reach the hotel ( currency, tickets, vouchers, passports, reading material, phone, hotel info etc).

My suitcase is a bit over sized but never gets an extra charge. We do travel business class & are allowed 70 lbs in our large bags & I usually weigh in about 52-55 lbs going & near 70 on return. My husband is always way below the allowed weight so I’ve been known to take some of his space.

We do travel a lot & always 2 weeks & beyond. When we fly to Italy I take much less as our second home is there.

I like a change every day but not because I care what others see or think but I feel fresh. My husband will wear pants more than once but changes his shirt daily.

[RedTop]

@Group 5 minus 1 

Teacher daughter took a geography related trip to Mexico with a large group about 5 years ago.   Every day was filled with bus trips, tours, and lots of walking.  She specifically took her most basic, well worn clothing and tennis shoes for those outings, and left them there, giving her plenty of room for the souvenirs she brought back.   

[Sooner]

A seasoned road tripper here:

A list is a must. Plan ahead and imagine outfits for every day and the activities.  By doing this, you will quickly pare down accessories and pieces of clothing.  Think about a main color scheme so everything goes together. Repurpose clothes for different events...dress up, dress down.  TAKE your list so you will know what you have.

For days on the road?  Take clothes you might otherwise donate and leave them along the way. Undies and all!   

If you plan on shopping, pick up a piece or two to wear home and plan for that.

Don't drag along a bunch of makeup and industrial sized toiletries.  Not worth the hassle! Spend time doing fun things.  

Pack complete outfits in your bag in reverse order. Saves time and pawing through clothes.  Maybe pack different bags for different segments of the trip.  Things are neater that way.

Have a separate bag for take-in on road nights, then you don't have to look for things you use night and morning.

Mail home dirty clothes if it is a long trip.  Insure them very well and hope they'll get lost.  Thrity years and never had it happen.

[Sooner]

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@haddon9 wrote:

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@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:

One time I read an article about packing for a trip to Europe. Take clothes that you want to get rid of and throw them away,that way you have more room for souvenirs.

I thought at the time it was a silly idea and I still do.

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I can't see that working for me.  I like to look nice on a trip.  I know I'll never see those people again but still I hate to wear clothing that I just don't like only to throw them away.

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@haddon9 Don't you have things that are still fine to wear but for some reason you don't wear them and they are taking up space in the closet?  It's a wonderful way to use them up and chances are someone working at the hotel will get a donation. 

We always were respectable, but found road trips great to ditch t-shirts and jeans that we didn't love, underwear (I'd wash and stow in a bag for trips)!  It sure lightens the load.  

Of course for days when we would be visiting, nice restaurants or touristing in nice places we took our good clothes we came home with.  Sometimes we planned on picking up new shirts and shorts/pants along the way.