Hand Luggage Only: The Complete Guide to Flying Light

Hand luggage only (HLO) is the single most effective way to reduce both the cost and the friction of flying. No hold bag fees, no 20-minute wait at baggage reclaim, no risk of lost luggage, and faster check-in. With the right packing strategy, you can travel for two weeks with nothing more than a 20-litre daypack.

Understanding the allowances

Every airline has slightly different rules:

• **Free underseat bag** (all budget airlines): roughly 40 x 20 x 25 cm. This is the free allowance at the base fare.
• **Overhead cabin bag** (requires Priority or extra fee on Ryanair/Wizz; included on easyJet/BA/KLM standard): typically 56 x 45 x 25 cm, up to 10 kg.

For most trips, an underseat bag is sufficient if you pack efficiently. For longer trips or if you need a laptop and change of clothes, upgrade to a cabin bag — but factor in the fee at the time of booking, not at the gate.

The core packing system

Choose the right bag

A 20-litre backpack or a cabin bag within airline dimensions is the foundation. Look for bags with a clamshell opening (easier to pack and unpack) and a laptop sleeve if you travel with a computer.

Recommended capacity:

• Weekend trip: 20–25 litres
• One week: 30–35 litres
• Two weeks: 40 litres (requires a disciplined packing list)

Use a capsule wardrobe approach

The biggest mistake is packing outfit-by-outfit. Instead, pack interchangeable items:

• 3 tops (neutral colours that all work with your bottoms)
• 2 bottoms (trousers or jeans that are presentable for evenings)
• 1 jacket or mid-layer (doubles as warmth on the plane)
• 3–4 days of underwear (wash at the hotel every two to three days — takes minutes, dries overnight)
• 1 pair of shoes worn on the plane

This covers 7–10 days comfortably.

Toiletry rules (EU carry-on)

Liquids in the cabin must be in containers of 100 ml or less, all fitting in a single 1-litre clear resealable bag. To avoid having to think about this:

• Buy a set of small refillable bottles (50 ml) for shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel
• Use solid toiletries where possible (solid shampoo bars, solid deodorant)
• Buy toothpaste at the destination for stays over four days

What to wear on the plane

Wear your heaviest and bulkiest items on the plane: boots, jeans, thicker jacket. These take up the most space in a bag and weigh the most. Wearing them eliminates the problem.

Electronics

Charge everything the night before departure. Take only what you will actually use:

• Phone (always)
• Laptop or iPad (only if genuinely needed)
• Charging cable and a single compact GaN charger with multiple ports
• Earphones

Avoid taking both a laptop and an iPad — pick one.

Financial benefit

On Ryanair, adding a Priority boarding pass (for the overhead cabin bag) costs around £6–8 per flight segment when booked in advance. On a return trip that is £12–16. On Wizz Air, the small cabin bag upgrade is similar. On easyJet, a standard hold bag costs £10–25 per segment.

Travelling hand luggage only saves £20–50 on a typical budget return flight. On three or four trips per year, that is £60–200 in bag fees alone — before the time saved at baggage reclaim.