Travel packing tips (aka a summary of crazy stuff I've done to get oversize hand luggage on board)
Yeaaah, I forgot about this blog for like six months but I have some trips coming up... so maybe it's time to bring it back to life :)
Inspired by this NYT debate, I thought it was time to wade in. Yep, I’m a proponent of hand luggage only trips.
Obvs I'm *team hand luggage only*
But sometimes I do wonder how much stress it adds to my travel life 😩 especially with Ryanair and Easyjet or other budget airlines, it can be so easy to get caught out. Each airline has slightly different rules regarding size, weight, dimensions etc.
I'll never forget the time I saw a guy kick the wheels off a mini case in Porto airport before boarding a Ryanair flight 😩 but if it saves the now whopping £75 charge for an oversize bag at the gate.... Then I would probably do the same!
So without further ado as a frequent traveller...
Here's my ultimate packing tips:
Measure your bag (duh)
Get compression packing cubes or vacuum zip lock bags if you mean serious business
Stuff things in your shoes
Carry a coat (in summer I take my denim jacket). Stuff a jumper, scarf, Turkish towel, dress - you get - it stuff something bulky in the sleeves
While you’re at it, stuff your pockets too
Wear your heaviest shoes and clothes/layer up
Tie things round your waist
Carry your refillable water bottle and book/Kindle in your hand (I've never had anyone question that)
Be ruthless when packing - do you really need it - can you wash stuff on route?
I always fly with my Fjallraven 17" backpack. I basically don't go anywhere without my laptop ( 💕🤪🤦🏼♀️that digital nomad life?) so love the padded back compartment for that and other electronics. Strictly speaking, I think it probably is pushing it for a "small item" carry on size, especially when really full. But so far (five years on and I don't want to count how many Ryanair flights later...) I've never been challenged on its size. And I’ve done multiple week-long trips with this bag, including a week in Egypt and a week on Ibiza.
Consider unconventional approaches...
I once did four flights with my scuba diving fins stuffed down the back of my stretchy trousers. Yep. I know 🙈 I could totally do this with my travel keyboard too I guess 😂
Lurk. Wait and see if others’ bags are being checked out at the counter. If necessary, sling something over your bag, do anything to squish it down and make it look lighter than it is.
Don’t carry a second bag (unless it’s a duty-free shopping bag). Even if it’s a small cross-body document bag, as of Nov. 2024, I saw people being asked to put those away.
My final top tip if you think your bag might be oversized... Wait till the end of boarding. Then the gate agent is rushing to get everyone on and they have less time to badger you about your (probably oversize) bag.
Am I a cheapskate?
Apparently. Especially when it comes to paying Ryanair any more than I need to 😂.
Let me know…
Are you team hand luggage or check in?
That's it for now. Airplane mode on ✌️✈️
