Standing beside the baggage carousel after a long flight is nobody’s idea of a good start to a holiday. Everyone else seems to have collected their suitcases and disappeared, while you are still waiting for yours to appear. And sometimes it doesn’t. A delayed or misplaced bag can turn the first few hours of a trip into a rather frustrating experience.
This is one reason more travellers consider going away with just hand luggage. For a short trip, it can be quite practical. There is no need to wait at baggage claim, you can leave the airport sooner and there is one less suitcase to worry about while getting around.
Packing less takes a little thought
The difficulty, of course, is fitting everything into a smaller bag. A weekend away is fairly easy, but a week-long holiday can be another matter. Clothes need to be chosen carefully, shoes take up more space than expected and toiletries can quickly fill whatever room is left.
It also depends on the kind of holiday. Someone going on a city break may manage quite comfortably with a small cabin bag, but a beach holiday could require swimwear, sandals, extra clothes and a few things that are not so easy to squeeze in. Travelling somewhere cold is even more complicated, particularly when jackets and heavier footwear are involved.
And then there are the airline rules. Not every airline includes the same cabin baggage allowance in its cheapest fare. Some allow a small bag that fits under the seat, while a larger cabin suitcase may cost extra. The permitted dimensions and weight can vary too, so it is worth checking the actual airline policy rather than assuming that a standard cabin bag will be accepted.
The cheaper fare may not be cheaper after all
This is something to remember when comparing flights. A low-cost ticket might look like a good deal until you add the price of bringing a larger cabin bag or checking in a suitcase. For travellers who know they will need more luggage, paying for a different fare could make more sense.
Skyscanner makes it easier to compare flight options across airlines, but the baggage allowance is still something worth checking before booking. Two flights with similar prices can have quite different inclusions, and the cheapest one may not be the most convenient once luggage costs are added.
There is also the question of shopping during the holiday. Someone planning to buy clothes, souvenirs or local products may find that travelling with only hand luggage becomes inconvenient on the return journey. It is possible to leave some room, but that rather defeats the purpose if the bag is already packed tightly before departure.
Travelling light is not a rule everyone needs to follow. Families, longer holidays and trips involving special equipment may require checked baggage, and there is nothing wrong with that. But for a few days away, carrying less can make getting through airports and moving between places considerably easier. Just make sure the bag you plan to take is actually included in your ticket. There is little point saving time at the baggage carousel only to pay an unexpected fee at the airport counter.
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