Hand luggage only discussion

MSE_Jenny

What’s this about? Size matters! Airlines have different cabin baggage size limits, eg, Ryanair’s is 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Go 1cm over, and they will charge to bung it in the hold.

These days, more luggage is being built specifically to fit into the cabin space; you can take more than you think.

The first point of call is read the full Beat Budget Airline Extra Charges guide. Then this discussion is specifically to talk about top tips on hand luggage packing and what to take

If you want to discuss budget flights in general please go to the Budget Airline Charges Discussion.

If you’ve got a suggestion/tip

Simply click reply and add your suggestion, though its worth scanning down first to check it's not been duplicated.

Mary_Hartnell

There is a whole industry developing out there in how to travel light on airlines.
There is an American slant to this item but the idea of "rolling" up your clothes, army kit bag style and hanging things in the steam from a shower to get the wrinkles out, are good tips.

http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2007/11/try_taking_just_one_bag.html

moneypooh

Toiletries can be bought airside and larger than 100ml, I tend to get some things there, it cuts down on hand and also hold luggage weight if you get shampoos etc airside.
We don't carry perfumes/aftershave etc either as we get these duty free on the way out. These then don't count as weighed in hand luggage.
It does depend on your airport though, but larger ones have great shopping airside.
I did see a woman getting onboard a BA flight earlier this year with loads of nappies and wipes bought at Boots. Can get a bit ridiculous bit can save space in luggage and weight of course.
We also buy books airside as these can be quite bulky. WHS has shops airside offering the same offers as instore (342/ bogof/ bogohp)

I always wonder why they restrict size then you can go shopping airside and buy loads.

Incapuppy

moneypooh wrote: »

I always wonder why they restrict size then you can go shopping airside and buy loads.

AFAIK, some airlines now insist that everything you buy airside must fit into your existing 'one bag' rule.

zzzLazyDaisy

Incapuppy wrote: »

AFAIK, some airlines now insist that everything you buy airside must fit into your existing 'one bag' rule.

Ryanair definitely have this rule

kathy24

Hi
My hand luggage case measures 55x 40 x 20cms which is the maximum size for Ryan air hand luggage. BUT the handle, and metal stand on the bottom of the case does not include these dimensions . Does this mean I am over the max size allowance?

zzzLazyDaisy

kathy24 wrote: »

Hi
My hand luggage case measures 55x 40 x 20cms which is the maximum size for Ryan air hand luggage. BUT the handle, and metal stand on the bottom of the case does not include these dimensions . Does this mean I am over the max size allowance?

Yes. You have to be able to fit the bag into the measuring crate if asked to do so. I read about someone who actually broke the wheels off his cabin bag to make it fit, to avoid having to check it through. Apparently they don't always check the size, but I'm travelling with Ryanair Friday, and I'm not willing to risk it, so I'm off out bag hunting today with my tape measure. So if anyone can recommend somewhere to get a suitably sized small case, I'd be really grateful.

Rtrace

We met a couple on holiday who just brought hand luggage. They had several bottles with 60 to 100 ml in each one, sun cream, contact lens stuff, deodorant etc. They were told either at customs or by Ryanair, not sure which, they could only take a total of 100ml and had to dump the rest. Does anyone know if this is right as we are planning a weekend away and only plan to take hand luggage. Thanks

richardw

Check your airline's website and your departing airport's website for full baggage and security rules, including the liquid rules, the horses' mouths so to speak.

scottishlass

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Yes. You have to be able to fit the bag into the measuring crate if asked to do so. I read about someone who actually broke the wheels off his cabin bag to make it fit, to avoid having to check it through. Apparently they don't always check the size, but I'm travelling with Ryanair Friday, and I'm not willing to risk it, so I'm off out bag hunting today with my tape measure. So if anyone can recommend somewhere to get a suitably sized small case, I'd be really grateful.

I have seen them check it at Birmingham and amde anyone who had bought duty free put it their bags and yet there were people still queuing up with 2 or more bags! The best bag I've ever bought that fits was from Primark although its not a case its just a big holdal which fits in the cages when its completely full. I have been known to get a weeks worth of clothes in there and ten to avoid taking liquids - I usually buy them there or if I'm visiting friends/family I leave a supply there

scottishlass

Rtrace wrote: »

We met a couple on holiday who just brought hand luggage. They had several bottles with 60 to 100 ml in each one, sun cream, contact lens stuff, deodorant etc. They were told either at customs or by Ryanair, not sure which, they could only take a total of 100ml and had to dump the rest. Does anyone know if this is right as we are planning a weekend away and only plan to take hand luggage. Thanks

You can take as many as you can fit in a transparent re-sealable bag of no more than one litre capacity (e.g. 20cm x 20cm ziplock freezer bag). (AS taken from RyanAir but it says the same on most of the airport sites as well!)