Travelling light is more important than ever. Not only will it lower the environmental impact of your trip (less weight = lower emissions), but it’ll also save you money in extra baggage costs and time wasted checking in your luggage at the airport. And with current waiting times in airports due to staff shortages, flight cancellations and delays, we think we can all agree that this can only be a good thing!
But before you think that hand luggage is only for overnighters, let us show you that packing lights is actually ideal for a whole range of holidays. Ready to ditch the pain of baggage reclaim? Then read on for our top tips on how to stick to hand luggage for every adventure.
Why pack hand-luggage only?
There’s a whole host of benefits to travelling light. But the biggest reasons to stick to hand luggage include:
- You’ll save money (lots of it). Airlines are increasingly charging their customers for the cost of extra baggage, especially if you’re travelling short-haul. By opting for hand-luggage only, you’ll be able to save money that you can spend elsewhere on your trip.
- You’ll save time. There’s no better start to your vacation than landing in your destination, grabbing your bag from the overhead compartment and heading straight off to your destination without wasting time in the airport. Embrace packing light, and you can say goodbye to hanging around at baggage reclaim.
- It’s more convenient. Keep everything you need with you on your flight, and you’ll have less stress and hassle in the worst-case scenario of your flight being delayed or cancelled. Better yet, there’s no chance of your baggage getting lost by the airline or even stolen from the conveyor belt!
- You can be more flexible. Packing light means that you’ll be able to travel more freely than if you have large, heavy, cumbersome bags. Which also means that it’s easier to catch public transport (saving money yet again), and you’ll be able to explore your destination with your bags – which is particularly handy if you have some spare time before or after you’ve check into or out of your accommodation.
- You’ll be safer. Carrying large bags and suitcases makes holidaymakers a target for tourist-related crimes such as scams, pick-pocketing and more. By travelling light, you’ll only have to focus on the one bag you have, freeing up more headspace and making you more aware of your surroundings (and more likely to blend in with others in the area).
- It’s better for the environment. If you’re travelling by air, vacationing with just your hand-luggage is a great way to lessen your impact on the planet. Simply put, less weight = less emissions. So if you’re travelling light, it means less fuel is needed to power the plane which is better for the planet. You gorgeous little eco-warrior.
Top tips for packing light
Choose the right size bag
The key to avoiding extra baggage costs is to make sure you have the right size bag. The exact measurements allowed will depend on the airline you travel with, but a general rule of thumb is a carry-on bag should be no bigger than 55cm (22in) by 35cm (14in) by 20cm (9in), with the weight restricted to around 7kg. You should be able to find the measurements prior to booking your flight, though we’d suggest opting for a soft bag over a hard case, to allow it to fit under your seat, in the overhead locker and most importantly, in the size checker.
Using a soft bag over a hard suitcase allows for more flexibility for your carry on to fit under your seat or the overhead locker
Pack light on liquids
Don’t forget that there’s a limit to the amount of liquids you can have in your hand luggage. You can’t bring any liquids over 100ml, and these liquids also need to be in bottles or containers that are 100ml or less in size. Anything more than 100ml will need to be discarded at security, so make sure your containers are all smaller than this and place them in a clear 20cm by 20cm sealed plastic bag. You’re only allowed to take one of these bags onboard with you, so leave anything at home that can’t fit into one bag.
To get through security quickly and without any fuss, place your bottles in a resealable food bag when you’re packing your bag, and place this at the top of your bag (or in an easily accessible pocket). And don’t forget that suncream and makeup (such as mascara and liquid eyeliners) are also considered to liquid, so include these in your clear plastic bag too.
Buy your liquids later
What if you want bigger bottles of liquids? Travelling light doesn’t mean you need to compromise on your beauty and hygiene standards! Many cosmetics and toiletries are sold in the off-duty shops and pharmacies once you’re through through security, so you can either purchase them at airport price, or if you’re extra prepared (and thrifty!), then order them online for collection from the store. This works especially well if you’re travelling as a group and want to use collective toiletries like bodywash, moisturiser and sun protection that you’ll all be using during your trip.
As an eco-friendly alternative, you could opt for liquid alternatives like soap bars, shower bars and stick deodorants. These aren’t counted as liquids, which will leave you more space in that all-important clear bag.
Pack light on liquids and instead buy anything larger you need once you arrive
Check other items you can’t bring
There are some items you can’t pack in your carry-on that you would be able to place in your checked-in luggage. Many of these are common sense as they could be dangerous, hazardous or flammable, but double check the requirements for the country you are flying to and from to find out more. Some items that could be banned include certain electronics, oversized sports equipment, frozen breast milk, scissors and knives.
Make a packing list
A packing list is essential to avoid overpacking the very limited space you have! What you need to pack depends on the type of holiday you’re going on (your ‘packing light’ list for a ski trip vs a beach holiday couldn’t be more different) so get some guidance online for the kind of things you’ll need to bring with you. Even better, do an online search for the type of holiday you’re packing for, plus the words ‘hand luggage’. For example: ‘City break packing list hand luggage only’ or ‘ski trip packing list hand luggage only’.
Plan your outfits
Remember that you don’t need an entirely different outfit each day. How often have you packed a huge range of outfits, only to find yourself in the same shorts on day 5?! We’d suggest trying on each item you pack to help create a set of outfits that you know you’re happy with, then trying to mix and match to make sure you get plenty of use out of each item in your bag. This way you can create a capsule wardrobe with colours and items that will go with everything! Versatile, multi-use garments are also really helpful such as a scarf that can act as a beach blanket, a sari for popping to the shops, or a shawl at night. Also, try to pack darker items that are less likely to show up stains (so you can wear them again if needs be!)
Use packing pods
When packing with hand luggage only, you’ll want to be as organised as possible and use all the space that’s available in your bag. Travelling light is even easier if you use packing pods, as these will allow you to organise your items by category so you can easily find whatever you’re after. They also allow you to pack denser, meaning you can often cram in even more than if individual items go into your bag loose! We’d also recommend packing a spare carrier bag or canvas bag for any dirty items.
Use packing pods to avoid a disorganised suitcase
Roll your items
It’s long been debated as to which is the most effective way to save space when packing light, but the Love Home Swap team have come to the conclusion that rolling clothes is the most effective way to save space (sorry, to all you folders out there!) Rolling allows your clothes to stack more easily, and it also makes them easier to see in your bag or packing pods. Just make sure you weigh your bag before you go, as many airlines have a limit of around 7kg for carry-on bags.
Wear your larger, heavier items when travelling
If the concept of packing all your items into hand luggage seems daunting, make some strategic decisions about what you’re packing. For example, you could wear your larger items – like bulky jackets, chunky knitwear, thick jeans and big boots – on the plane to save space in your bag. If you’re worried about overheating, we’d suggest packing a foldable bag (such as a shopping bag or a tote bag) that you can store any extra layers in once you’re through security or after boarding.
Pack less shoes
It’s very easy to overpack shoes. Once you start listing all the possible activities and events you’ll be doing, you can end up with a different pair of shoes for each day of your trip! Try to be strict with the amount of shoes you bring, as these will likely be the most cumbersome item you pack. Always wear your bulkiest shoes on your flight, and then try to stick to 1 – 2 pairs of shoes max in your hand luggage. We’d suggest a comfortable pair of trainers that double up for active days but are also comfortable to walk around in all day, and if you’re going on a sunny holiday, a pair of lightweight sandals.
Travelling light means packing smarter
There will always be some items that you can’t live without on your trip, but it doesn’t mean they need to take up a huge amount of room in your bag. Try swapping out bulky items for lightweight, streamlined options instead.
- If you’d like a smaller backpack or handbag for day tips, opt for a packable rucksack.
- If you’re a gadget lover and you need a lot of charging cables, invest in a multi USB charger that allows you to charge multiple items at once.
- If you’re spending time at the beach, instead of packing a chunky beach towel or a big picnic blanket, opt for a compact micro towel.
- If you’re a book lover, consider investing in a compact Kindle instead of packing multiple books for your trip (where you can read a month’s worth of novels in a single charge!)
- If you’re heading somewhere chilly, pack a compact puffer jacket instead of a large wool coat.
You can find many of these items in our travel gift guide to make your next trip even better.
Ask your hosts what they have
Often we feel we need to pack everything for ‘just in case’ scenarios, but if you’re home swapping for your next trip, your host might actually already have what you’re after, which can save you lots of space in your carry-on. This is especially true for families that may be packing a whole range of essential items, from books to toys to prams. The same applies to other travellers too. From umbrellas to board games, it’s likely the place you are staying will have many items that you’d usually pack. Simply send your host a message to see what they already have at their place, so that you avoid packing any doubles.
Leave some space in your bag
You never know what you might find on your trip, so it’s nice to leave a little bit of space in your carry-on for items you’d like to buy on your travels, gifts for friends, or simply for storing any larger, bulkier items that you have chosen to wear on the plane. This acts as a great insurance policy and if you don’t see anything you fancy, at least you’ve made your bag that much lighter!
And there you have it – everything you need to know to be a hand-luggage only, travelling light whizz! Do you have more tips for packing light and using carry-on bags only? Then share your tips by dropping us a line, or leave your thoughts on Twitter or Instagram. We’d love to hear your ideas, and add them to our list!
