It’s easy to take things for granted, especially with things we may have done many times before. Packing a suitcase for your next overseas holiday, getting the baggage allowance right and using the best case for your trip, are good examples. Not all holidays are the same, so getting the best out of each one can be something of a fine art.
This article looks at some handy ways to keep packing easy, stay within your baggage allowance, and avoid burdening yourself with unnecessary clutter. In particular we’ll look at
- Choice of luggage
- Your baggage allowance & case sizes
- Choice of clothing & accessories, and
- Packing a suitcase – how to keep it simple.
Choose the right case or cases
This may seem obvious but it’s easy to repeat past mistakes. For example, many people would assume that a fortnight away merits a larger case to check in, as well as hand luggage. Depending on your destination that may be the solution, but if your trip is going to be mainly informal it’s quite possible to manage with carry-on luggage only. Just check out the laundry facilities at your hotel, apartment or villa. You may well find that the number of clothes you need is less than you thought.
Consider the suitability of the case for the journey. Will your old favourite hand luggage still comply with current regulations? Does the airline have different rules to the norm? For a bigger case, does it have four wheels rather than two? Whether that matters will probably depend on how far you personally need to move it. If you’re travelling by train, avoid anything which is too bulky or awkward to handle getting in and out of carriages. That’s especially useful in some European countries where platforms are much lower than we’re accustomed to in the UK.
Finally, can you identify it quickly? Many people tie a coloured ribbon to the handle to spot their case easily on a carousel or in a hotel lobby. Go for something you will recognise, but ideally which won’t attract too much attention. If there’s a little window for a name tag, just use some blank card with your name and mobile number only. That’s no need to share anything else.
Case sizes and your baggage allowance
There’s no substitute for checking the details, so always read the information that comes with your flight ticket. Different airlines have different specifications and these can change. That said, it’s good to know what to expect. That way there won’t be any last minute panics. Here are example allowances as a guide.
| Destination/route | Hand luggage size | Checked-in cases |
| UK domestic | BA: 56 x 45 x 25 cm, which you must be able to lift into the overhead locker, plus one personal item no larger than 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
easyJet: 45 x 36 x 20 cm, no heavier than 15kg |
23kg, no larger than 90 x 75 x 43 cm. Extra weight and oversized cases, can usually be carried at additional cost. |
| Europe | BA: 56 x 40 x 23 cm, which you must be able to lift into the overhead locker, plus one personal item no larger than 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
easyJet: 45 x 36 x 20 cm, no heavier than 15kg |
Lufthansa: 23kg
easyJet: 15-32kg, route dependent
23kg is the standard, but there are exceptions.
|
| Long haul | BA: 56 x 45 x 25 cm, which you must be able to lift into the overhead locker, plus one personal item no larger than 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
easyJet: maximum total size (length + width + height) = under 275cm. |
Generally 23kg (some low cost airlines limit this to 20kg), usually no larger than 90 x 75 x 43 cm. |
| Generally, overweight/oversized cases (up to a maximum of 32 kg per case) can be carried for an extra charge. Some airlines have no size restriction. | ||
| First Class allowances for checked baggage are usually greater, typically up to 32kg. | ||
Always check the details! Most airlines have the information you need on their websites as well as with your booking information.
As to weight, some airlines recommend cabin baggage weigh no more than 7kg, so easyJet’s 15kg, and BA’s 2024 limit of 23kg maximum seem generous. However, be practical. A litre of water weighs 1 kilogram, so use that as a measure of how many you can lift above your head with ease.
Choice of clothing and accessories
The “less is more” maxim often pays off here. It’s easy to overpack, especially as in the UK we need to accommodate very changeable weather. That may not be necessary for where you’re going. Do some research to find out likely temperatures and rainfall for your destination, and check their weather forecasts in the week before you go.
As for choice, that’s very individual, but there are some easy hacks to remember.
- Plan ahead. Provided you’re happy to be seen wearing the same outfit more than once (!) consider laundry services in your hotel or rented accommodation. Go for crease-resistant clothing whenever possible.
- Keep liquids to a minimum. Even with the general relaxation of carry-on liquid allowances, take only what you need – liquids are heavy.
- Sunscreens are usually liquid and thus heavy, but some brands come in a lighter stick form
- Avoid too many gadgets and have one universal charger for those you do take. Make sure you have the right travel plug for your destination. With many smartphones having great cameras, most non-professional photographers don’t need a heavy and bulky duplicate.
- Limit the number of books you carry, or take an e-reader.
- You might not need as many pairs of shoes as you think! Wear the bulky ones, like trainers, on the flight.
- Don’t pack to the limit on the way out. Leave space and weight for items you might buy while you’re there.
Packing a suitcase to perfection
It’s surprising how much you can pack into even a small case if you’re thoughtful. And it doesn’t require cramming things in any-old-how. One important consideration is to choose wrinkle resistant clothes, and another trick is to roll clothing instead of folding. This reduces the chance of serious creasing and also takes up less space. Mindful of your baggage allowance, pack heavy, solid objects like wash kit and shoes first and pad these out with other items like underwear and socks.
To go to the next level, consider “packing cubes”(lightweight fabric containers) designed to help you organise a suitcase. However, these don’t save much space. It’s much better to use a selection of zip-lock style plastic bags. Place your carefully rolled-up clothing inside, zip it nearly shut, then roll the whole thing tight to expel the air. Close the zip to create a vacuum and you’ll have a neat space-saving bundle that’s easy to pack. So long as this is all done carefully, clothes will come out with very few, if any, creases – and you can relax with that little bit of smugness that comes from a job well done!
By Declan Morton, writer and editor at Essiell Ltd and Money4Travel.
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