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Think you ‘need’ to take a suitcase when going abroad? Think again!
In today's world, the rising cost of living can make planning a family vacation challenging.
However, with the right approach, it's possible to enjoy a memorable trip without breaking the bank.
One of the best ways to save money is by packing light and using hand luggage only.
This not only allows you to avoid costly luggage fees, but it can also make for a more hassle-free journey.
Checking in online will allow you to avoid long and time-consuming queues at the check-in desk.
I am going to provide you with valuable tips on how to travel light and save money at the same time.
*Disclosure: Ruleyourownworld.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
So …. let’s get started….
Table of Contents
What is meant by ‘hand luggage’ only?
For anyone unsure of exactly what is meant by the term ‘hand luggage’, ‘Cabin bag’ or ‘carry-on ‘ these all mean the same thing and refer to a small bag or allowed item, that can be taken onto the plane, into the ‘cabin’ (where you sit). It is stored under the seat in front of you or in the overhead storage.
You keep this item with you at all times and do not check it in to be weighed as you would with larger cases known as your hold luggage. The ‘hold’ is luggage that is stored in the lower part of the plane. This area unsurprisingly is called the ‘hold’ area.
Can families travel with hand luggage only?
When it comes to travelling on a budget as a family, the key is to travel light!
This means each taking ‘Hand luggage’ or ‘Cabin bags’ only as this is often included free in your ticket price or comes at a much lower added cost than a larger hold case.
The thought of taking hand luggage only, especially when you have children, may seem completely unreasonable or even a little bit daunting at first but trust me it can be done for almost any trip, with a bit of pre-planning.
As a family, we have travelled numerous times on low-cost airlines taking only hand luggage. We rarely take hold, unless we find a cheap package holiday in which the luggage is included.
Isn’t it ‘normal’ to take a suitcase?
With the rising costs of checking in luggage, packing light has now become more of a trend.
Especially amongst those of us who would rather do without a few non-essential luxuries if it means we can save hundreds to put towards another trip.
Packing cabin-only is becoming the go-to option for many and you can find hundreds of helpful devices and accessories HERE that will make packing in a minimal space so much easier.
How much can taking hand luggage actually save me?
Now, this is the big question and the answer depends on a few things.
Firstly, who you choose to fly with will have a big effect on the amount of money you can save. This is because different airlines have different cabin-bag options.
Secondly, whether or not you choose to pay for the extra hand luggage which is now offered by many airlines.
For more on cabin bag dimensions, weights and options to add on second-hand luggage bags see our Guide to Cabin Bag Sizes for Low-Budget Airlines.
As a guide, you can expect to pay (at the time of writing ) around £35 per person, per flight for luggage when you book independently. Please note, this is an average cost taken from the top 3 UK airlines.
For the purpose of the example, I chose a journey from Manchester to Malaga in the first week of the summer term, for 2 adults and 2 children under 11, to give you a rough idea.
This means if you are a family of 4, each taking a suitcase in the hold on a return journey, then you can expect to pay around £280/ $346 /€318 on top of your flight cost for hold luggage.
Whereas, If you choose to take up the airline's free hand luggage offer you could put this saving towards accommodation costs, spending money or day trips out among other things!
As mentioned briefly already and as can be seen in greater detail in our Guide to Cabin Bag Sizes for Low-Budget Airlines. , you can add on a second cabin bag. These also vary in cost but should still always be a cheaper opinion than taking hold of luggage.
Another opinion you have, if you have tried to fit everything in your cabin bags and it just isn’t working, is to take half the amount of hold luggage. So if you are a family of 4 could you manage with 2 cases? Or even one? This would still save you money and may be a cheaper option than paying for extra hand luggage, so it is worth considering.
What is the maximum size and weight for hand luggage?
Firstly you will need to determine what size hand luggage your chosen airline allows.
When it comes to travelling with low-cost airlines in 2023, it's essential to be aware of their size allowances.
As airlines continue to look for ways to reduce costs, many are implementing stricter rules on cabin baggage sizes.
To give you a rough guide, most airlines currently allow passengers to bring one cabin bag on board, with maximum dimensions of around 30x20x38 or 56x45x25, depending on the airline.
Some will also allow you to take an extra personal belonging. It's worth noting though that since the introduction of ‘Priority cabin luggage’ options from many airlines, which allow you extra cabin baggage at an extra cost.
Some airlines may no longer allow a personal item as this could be considered the smaller of the two bags.
Check out our Guide to Cabin Bag Sizes for Low-Budget Airlines for cabin bag allowance sizes all in one place.
In addition to the size restrictions, low-cost airlines may also enforce weight limits for cabin bags.
It is crucial to check the airline's specific requirements before purchasing a cabin bag or beginning your packing.
What type of cabin bag should I buy?
To ensure that your cabin bag meets the requirements of your low-cost airline, it's a good idea to invest in a lightweight, durable suitcase or backpack that's designed specifically for air travel.
Look for bags with multiple compartments, sturdy zippers, and a comfortable carrying handle or strap Like these.
What should I pack when taking hand luggage only?
It can be hard to decide what to pack when you have limited space, especially if you plan to travel for a long time.
Our longest trip to date is 10 nights, which we did when Island hopping in Croatia.
To ensure you can fit in all your travel essentials, you will have to plan what you will be packing in advance and you will need to be strict with yourself!
Where to start?
Firstly my advice would be to make a list of everything you would ideally want to take with you.
When you are done making your list, look at it again and ask yourself…
…‘Do I really need that third bikini and extra-large beach towel?’...and so on.
Take a pen and aim to cross off at least 25 % of your original listed items.
(For example, if your list contained 40 items, to begin with, aim to get it down to 30)
Finally, once you have narrowed your list down as much as you think you possibly can.
Download our FREE ‘7 Nights with hand luggage only’ Packing list and plan out your outfits for the week. This will allow you to visualise more easily, what you need to take with you clothes-wise at least.
(This FREE printable will be yours to print out as many times as you wish. Nothing is stopping you from printing one out for each of your family members or printing extras if your trip is longer than 7 nights).
Remember, the idea is to pack light, this means taking only the items that are 100% essential.
For ideas on which items you may need and where you can purchase them all, check out our article on What to pack when taking hand luggage only! : Buy All Your Travel Essentials today in one place!
What is not allowed in hand luggage?
So, now that you have been strict with yourself and narrowed down your essential items. You need to make sure that everything on your list is allowed in the cabin of the plane.
Several items are generally not allowed in hand luggage on airplanes, including:
Sharp objects: This includes large scissors ( some small nail scissors are ok), knives, blades, and other cutting tools.
Liquids over 100ml: Liquids, aerosols, and gels over 100ml are not allowed in hand luggage.
(This is slowly changing in the UK, starting March 2023 with London City Airport and gradually reaching all UK airports I believe by July 2024. So please check with your airline before your flight.
Top tip #
It is also worth remembering that you may still need to abide by the liquid limit on your return depending on that country's rules at the time of your flight. So, take a small plastic bag with you just in case.
Firearms and weapons: Guns, ammunition, and other weapons are not allowed in hand luggage.
Explosive and flammable materials: This includes fireworks, flares, and lighter fluid.
Sporting goods: Certain sporting goods, such as bats, clubs, and sticks, may be prohibited in hand luggage.
Tools: Tools that could be used as weapons, such as hammers, crowbars, and drills, are not allowed in hand luggage.
It's important to check with your airline and the specific airport you are travelling from, as the list of prohibited items may vary slightly depending on the country and airline.
Can I bring my laptop or other electronic devices in my hand luggage?
Yes, you are allowed to take a laptop or electronic devices in your cabin bag In fact, many airlines will only allow you to take them onto a plane in this manner. However, there are some rules of doing so to bear in mind:
Laptops and other electronic devices should be removed from your hand luggage and placed in a separate tray when passing through airport security screening.
It's important to ensure that your devices are fully charged before you travel, as you may be asked to turn them on to demonstrate that they are working.
Some airlines may have specific size and weight limits for electronic devices that are allowed in the cabin. So, it’s best to check their website before you travel.
Laptops and other electronic devices should be removed from your hand luggage and placed in a separate tray when passing through airport security screening.
Electronic devices must be turned off during take-off and landing and must be switched to airplane mode during the flight.
It's always a good idea to check the specific airline's policies before you travel, as they can vary slightly. You can find more information on the airlines' websites or by contacting their customer service departments.
Can I bring food and snacks on board with me in my hand luggage?
Yes, you can take food on board with most airlines, but there are some restrictions to keep in mind:
Airlines allow passengers to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks on board. However, you must not bring any alcohol that has not been purchased at duty-free and you are forbidden, by law, from opening any duty-free bought alcohol onboard.
Solid food items such as sandwiches, fruit, and snacks are generally permitted, but be aware that some airlines may prohibit certain items such as hot and smelly food that may disturb other passengers. Also consuming any food that may contain nuts will also be forbidden if there is a passenger onboard with a nut allergy.
Liquid items such as drinks and soups may be allowed in air-tight containers as long as they do not have a greater capacity than 100ml. They must also be stored in a clear, resealable plastic bag and comply with the airport's security regulations.
Hot drinks, are not allowed by most airlines but can usually be purchased onboard the aircraft.
It's always a good idea to check your specific airline's policies before you travel, as they can vary slightly. As well as the airport's policies for the same reason. You will be able to find more information on the airlines' websites or by contacting their customer service departments.
How early should I arrive at the airport if I'm travelling with hand luggage only?
We still arrive around 3 hours before our flight. The reasons for this are:
Firstly, we don’t like worrying about getting stuck in traffic on our journey to the airport.
(Interesting fact; I suffer from clinical OCD so I will imagine every possible scenario that might stop us from getting to the airport on time, to ease this we arrive early!)
Secondly, we don’t want to risk spending a long time in security due to big queues (as mentioned above, not great for my nerves or anyone I should imagine!).
Thirdly, we like to start our holiday in the airport with a nice beer or a cheeky glass of prosecco to help us unwind…I mean that’s when your holiday starts… right!
With all that said, one of the benefits of taking hand luggage only is that you do not have to arrive the full 3 hours before.
Check your emails or airline app when you have checked in online (more about this below) to see what time they recommend and what time the gate will close.
Do I still need to check in at the check-in desk if I have hand luggage only?
The simple answer is no. As long as you have checked in online previously you can avoid the queue for check-in and go straight to security.
Please check when you can check in. You may want to check when your last chance to check in online is also as all airlines are different. However, most do advise you via email when the check-in is open.
Once you have checked in online, I advise you to print off your boarding passes as well as download them in the airline app on your mobile phone. This is in case you have any signal or phone malfunctions when trying to board.
The pros and cons of travelling with hand luggage only?
There are pros and cons to taking Hand luggage only on your trip but the biggest positive for us is the amount of money we can save from doing so.
Next would be the time saved by not having to wait around at check-in or the luggage carousel at the other end.
Everyone has different priorities and this is just intended to be a guide to help those who may be considering taking hand luggage only but were not too sure of the rules and regulations of doing so.
So, in the interest of being fair, below you will find a list of both the pros and the cons of taking hand luggage only.
Pros
The advantages of travelling with hand luggage only are:
Many airlines charge extra fees for checked-in luggage, so travelling with just hand luggage can help you save money. Quicker With hand luggage only, you can avoid long lines at check-in and can proceed directly to security and boarding.
Carrying less luggage means you can easily manage your belongings and move around without struggling with heavy bags.
When travelling with just hand luggage, you don't have to worry about your checked-in luggage getting lost or delayed.
You can have more flexibility and can easily switch flights or travel plans without worrying about your luggage being sent to a different destination.
Cons
The disadvantages of travelling with hand luggage only are:
Travelling with just hand luggage means you have limited space to pack your belongings, which may not be ideal if you need to bring a lot of items with you.
Airlines have strict size and weight restrictions for hand luggage, so you may need to spend extra time and effort making sure their luggage meets those requirements.
Certain items, such as liquids over 100ml, are currently not allowed in hand luggage, ( although this is set to change in the UK over the next year so check with your airline before you go). Liquid limitations can be inconvenient as it may mean transferring some liquids into smaller reusable containers.
If you're travelling for an extended period, packing everything you need into just hand luggage can be a challenge but is not impossible.
If you want to bring back souvenirs or you enjoy shopping during your trip then you may find the limited space to be a bit restricting on your return leg.
Take Away
Travelling with hand luggage only has both positives and negatives.
While it can save money, make check-in and boarding faster, and provide more flexibility, it can also be challenging to pack for longer trips, limit the number of items you can bring, and require you to comply with strict airline size and weight requirements.
Ultimately, the decision to travel with only hand luggage should be based on your travel needs, preferences, and budget.
If you're wanting to save money and don't mind limiting what you take, then hand luggage may be the best option for you.
*Disclosure: Ruleyourownworld.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
For more information on travelling with ‘hand luggage’ only check out :
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