How to Pack for 7 days in a 45 linear inches carry on
How to Pack for 7 Days in a 45 linear inch Carry-On
In today's world of travel mishaps, more and more luggage is getting lost or misplaced for days. The airline's are posting extremely short connection times so they can be listed first on the availability schedule when the Travel Consultant or consumer is checking flight options. Since the majority of travelers will select their flight schedule based on cost, they sacrifice the needed time you and your luggage need to make the connection. Now factor in weather delays and you have either a missed connection or you make the flight but your luggage does not.
I am about to leave on a 15 day Princess Mediterranean Cruise. I will be in a range of temperatures from upper 80's to the mid 40's I have packed 7 days worth of clothes and accessories in ONLY a 45 linear inch ( 9" x14" x22") carry-on and my famous backpack. I use my backpack (reasonable size backpack, you do not want the airline saying it is too large) for my jewelry (I travel with nice fun jewelry, this way I do not stress if it comes up missing), camera, travel documents, MEDICATION (always travel with your medication in your carry-on, never pack it) stuff to read on the plane, snacks (airline food is discussing), small makeup bag (you do not have to pack all of your makeup), small calculator, my 311 bag (3 oz per bottle, 1 quart size zip lock bag, 1 bag per person) and my emergency zip lock with several pairs of underwear, 1 convertible bra, 1 white t-shirt, 1 bathing suit and several scarfs. Do not carry a purse! I pack a small travel purse in my backpack, this way the airline cannot say you are over the carry-on limit. Most airlines allow you to have a carry-on and a purse or briefcase. In the 45 linear inch carry-on (yes it has wheels) I have the following;
WOMEN TO PACK
1 pair of blue jeans, 1 pair of black dress pants, 1 pair of black travelers pants (wear pants for the plane ride)
8 pairs of underwear, 1 black bra, 1 workout bra
1 pair of yoga pants
1 pair of tennis shoes (broken in and avoid white)
1 5-way black dress from Travel Smith (you can make formal to casual outfits with this 1 piece of clothing.
1 pair of Lexees interchangeable shoes/sandals with 2 flexee tops (makes 3 different styles)
or better yet, 1 pair of Switch Flops (change out the designer straps, you have have tons of straps)
(Switch Flops found at Creekside Gifts in Winchester, VA 540-662-0270 www.creeksidegifts.com)
2 swim suits, 1 sarong, 1 pair of light flip flops
1 pair of lightweight P.J.'s
2 mock turtle neck lightweight shirts, 2 light weight fleece tops, 2 evening tops to go with black pants
(above for cooler climates, for warmer climates exchange for tops for the season you are traveling)
1 white top (nice dress tee shirts), several scarfs to change your outfit look
1 mini umbrella, 1 lightweight rain jacket (wear the rain jacket for travel and layer for warmth)
4 magnetic necklaces that can be bracelets, necklaces and even hair bands
1 rolled up duffel bag with TSA travel lock for souvenirs purchased on your trip
1 curling iron (most cruises and hotels provide hair dryers)
MEN TO PACK
1 pair of blue jeans, 1 pair of black or blue dress pants, 1 pair of casual pants (wear pants for the plane ride)
8 pairs of underwear, 3 tee shirts, 1 workout shirt
1 pair of work out shorts
2 swimsuits
1 pair of tennis shoes (broken in and avoid white)
1 pair of sandals and 1 pair of dress shoes with 8 pairs of socks
2 lightweight turtle neck shirts, 2 light weight fleecs tops, 2 white dress shirts and 2 ties
travel weight black or blue sports coat (wear on plane ride)
Now you ask...how do you get all that in one 45 linear inch carry-on? I call it "the Sausage Roll Method". Roll your clothes up like a sausage roll and place in 1 gallon zip lock bags. Once you have the bag filled, press down the seal and squeeze out the air to create a sealed and airtight condensed bag. You do not need those fancy packing bags, just use zip lock 1 gallon or 2 gallon bags. They work great.
What to Wear on the Plane; A nice pair of pants and layer your tops (you can get another shirt in your wardrobe) and wear your coat or use the lightweight rain jacket (it will give you more room in your 45 linear inch carry-on) and your best walking shoes. I find my Dansko's are the best shoes to explore Europe in. They are heavy so I wear them on my flight so I do not have to pack them and add weight to my 45 linear inch carry-on.
Now you are thinking, okay she has 7 days covered but she said she was going on a 15 day trip. Yes I will be packing a checked piece of luggage. But if my luggage does not make the connection in Frankfurt, I will have enough clothes to repeat for another week. I always tell my leisure travelers, you will not see these people again so who cares if you have to wear something twice. When traveling it is easy to purchase tee shirts and clothes, you can always purchase souvenirs to wear. The key is to pack LIGHT WEIGHT clothes. Leave the bulky sweaters at home.
In today's world of travel mishaps, more and more luggage is getting lost or misplaced for days. The airline's are posting extremely short connection times so they can be listed first on the availability schedule when the Travel Consultant or consumer is checking flight options. Since the majority of travelers will select their flight schedule based on cost, they sacrifice the needed time you and your luggage need to make the connection. Now factor in weather delays and you have either a missed connection or you make the flight but your luggage does not.
I am about to leave on a 15 day Princess Mediterranean Cruise. I will be in a range of temperatures from upper 80's to the mid 40's I have packed 7 days worth of clothes and accessories in ONLY a 45 linear inch ( 9" x14" x22") carry-on and my famous backpack. I use my backpack (reasonable size backpack, you do not want the airline saying it is too large) for my jewelry (I travel with nice fun jewelry, this way I do not stress if it comes up missing), camera, travel documents, MEDICATION (always travel with your medication in your carry-on, never pack it) stuff to read on the plane, snacks (airline food is discussing), small makeup bag (you do not have to pack all of your makeup), small calculator, my 311 bag (3 oz per bottle, 1 quart size zip lock bag, 1 bag per person) and my emergency zip lock with several pairs of underwear, 1 convertible bra, 1 white t-shirt, 1 bathing suit and several scarfs. Do not carry a purse! I pack a small travel purse in my backpack, this way the airline cannot say you are over the carry-on limit. Most airlines allow you to have a carry-on and a purse or briefcase. In the 45 linear inch carry-on (yes it has wheels) I have the following;
WOMEN TO PACK
1 pair of blue jeans, 1 pair of black dress pants, 1 pair of black travelers pants (wear pants for the plane ride)
8 pairs of underwear, 1 black bra, 1 workout bra
1 pair of yoga pants
1 pair of tennis shoes (broken in and avoid white)
1 5-way black dress from Travel Smith (you can make formal to casual outfits with this 1 piece of clothing.
1 pair of Lexees interchangeable shoes/sandals with 2 flexee tops (makes 3 different styles)
or better yet, 1 pair of Switch Flops (change out the designer straps, you have have tons of straps)
(Switch Flops found at Creekside Gifts in Winchester, VA 540-662-0270 www.creeksidegifts.com)
2 swim suits, 1 sarong, 1 pair of light flip flops
1 pair of lightweight P.J.'s
2 mock turtle neck lightweight shirts, 2 light weight fleece tops, 2 evening tops to go with black pants
(above for cooler climates, for warmer climates exchange for tops for the season you are traveling)
1 white top (nice dress tee shirts), several scarfs to change your outfit look
1 mini umbrella, 1 lightweight rain jacket (wear the rain jacket for travel and layer for warmth)
4 magnetic necklaces that can be bracelets, necklaces and even hair bands
1 rolled up duffel bag with TSA travel lock for souvenirs purchased on your trip
1 curling iron (most cruises and hotels provide hair dryers)
MEN TO PACK
1 pair of blue jeans, 1 pair of black or blue dress pants, 1 pair of casual pants (wear pants for the plane ride)
8 pairs of underwear, 3 tee shirts, 1 workout shirt
1 pair of work out shorts
2 swimsuits
1 pair of tennis shoes (broken in and avoid white)
1 pair of sandals and 1 pair of dress shoes with 8 pairs of socks
2 lightweight turtle neck shirts, 2 light weight fleecs tops, 2 white dress shirts and 2 ties
travel weight black or blue sports coat (wear on plane ride)
Now you ask...how do you get all that in one 45 linear inch carry-on? I call it "the Sausage Roll Method". Roll your clothes up like a sausage roll and place in 1 gallon zip lock bags. Once you have the bag filled, press down the seal and squeeze out the air to create a sealed and airtight condensed bag. You do not need those fancy packing bags, just use zip lock 1 gallon or 2 gallon bags. They work great.
What to Wear on the Plane; A nice pair of pants and layer your tops (you can get another shirt in your wardrobe) and wear your coat or use the lightweight rain jacket (it will give you more room in your 45 linear inch carry-on) and your best walking shoes. I find my Dansko's are the best shoes to explore Europe in. They are heavy so I wear them on my flight so I do not have to pack them and add weight to my 45 linear inch carry-on.
Now you are thinking, okay she has 7 days covered but she said she was going on a 15 day trip. Yes I will be packing a checked piece of luggage. But if my luggage does not make the connection in Frankfurt, I will have enough clothes to repeat for another week. I always tell my leisure travelers, you will not see these people again so who cares if you have to wear something twice. When traveling it is easy to purchase tee shirts and clothes, you can always purchase souvenirs to wear. The key is to pack LIGHT WEIGHT clothes. Leave the bulky sweaters at home.
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