Flying to Milan for a Rick Steves tour, we plan to carry on our 20-21" luggage and check a disposable box of liquids such as shampoos, conditioners, mouth wash, etc. Has anyone done this? And is it possible to box it all with bubble wrap and and check the small box as a piece of luggage? We plan to discard box at airport.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
George, I am assuming you are coming from the US? If so then yes, you can use a "box" depending on your specific airline requirements. We have done boxes often as we transition from "place to place." For domestic carriers we flew Delta out of ATL.
If you are connecting to Milan on a European Airline.. from LGW, AMS, CDG, etc then realize that Euro carriers have much stricter restrictions on carry-on pieces!
Of course, do realize that you can get those "articles" here in Italy and avoid that checked luggage altogether! We try and do carry-on whenever we can because waiting on our luggage is always the "longest " part of our day! Good luck!
Ciao,
Ron
Posted by
Milwaukie, Oregon
1056 posts
It sounds like a lot of bother to me. We've travelled to Europe several times since the change in carry-on policy and have always taken small or sample-sized toiletries with us. The allowed quart-sized bag will easily hold all one person, if not two, needs for up to three weeks. If each of you takes one quart-sized bag for your toiletries you will eliminate a lot of hassle waiting for your checked box of liquids to arrive at the airport. We've always enjoyed the freedom of not having to wait for checked bags to arrive.
Posted by
Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA
606 posts
Here in Arkansas our checked luggage is plastic Wal*Mart bags. They last forever.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Patrick - LOL in Rome!
When we came here we brought 1,000 ziplocks bags purchased from Walmart. The "zip" style are almost impossible to find in the Auschan, Coop, SMA, GS, Punto, or other supermercato. They are like GOLD over here and we "trade them" with other US personnel for peanut butter, etc!
Ron
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Ron....how many would I have to bring to exchange for a week at your place? ;)
Posted by
Kentwood, Michigan, USA
166 posts
George,
Why go through the hassle. If it's only shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, and toothpaste buy it in Milan. We just did this about a month ago and you can buy all of these items at any supermaket in Milan.
Greg
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
George, I have to agree... skip checking anything in. The wait for any luggage isn't worth the time.
Bring the bare essentials in the zip lock quart bag.
If there's 2 of you, as one person said, you get 2 quart bags. Remember, the key of packing light gives you the chance to buy what the locals use.