The 5 Best Ways To Make The Most Of Minimal Hand Luggage Allowances

Travelling light is easier when you prepare well in advance.

Flying with hand luggage has many advantages. It saves expensive baggage fees with most airlines, saves time at the airport, and removes the nightmare situation of lost luggage on arrival. For those used to larger allowances though, traveling with minimal hand luggage can be daunting. With the right preparation, though, there are ways to make it easier.

Use the right bag

The most important consideration is to get hold of the right bag. It must meet airline hand luggage requirements and this needs to be checked carefully. While some airlines are a bit more flexible, others can be very strict. Unfortunately, dimensions and weight allowance vary between airlines. The standard is often 52 x 45 x 25cm, but you will need to check the exact requirements with all airlines you plan to use. Remember, height, width, and depth are all important - it is no good if the bag is just over on one of these measurements but fine on the others.

Consider flexible or non-rigid bags as these are more amenable to squeezing in. Compression straps or expandable bags are useful too - you can always make these a bit bigger for use outside the aircraft too.

Meeting size requirements is vital, but there are lots of options within this. You want to find a bag that maximizes the available allowance and suits your packing style. Having one large compartment, for example, is a more flexible option; some people prefer having separate compartments. Many companies design bags specifically for this - read reviews and look at several options.

Pack the essentials

It may sound obvious, but there is a lot of scope to be flexible about what you pack. The old advice to lay out everything you need for a trip and then halve it is not very scientific, but it's a good guide! Taking less helps with luggage requirements and also makes for an easier trip - particularly if you are moving around a lot.

For a short trip, this might mean just taking less clothes and extras. Do you really need them? Focus on clothes that can be worn in multiple situations, and you can mix and match rather than having a separate set for each day. With less clothes, you could plan to do laundry more often during your trip as well. Light and easily packable clothing is of course sensible as well. There are many good travel brands that design clothes specifically for this purpose.

Think about the electronics you need. These are essential for most travelers these days, but there are ways to cut down. Can cables be shared between items? Could you make use of a USB splitter? And do you really need a phone, a laptop and a tablet for the trip?

Purchase items after arrival

Remember you can buy items on arrival - this is especially important on longer trips where you need extra supplies. Toiletries and simple clothing can be bought quickly and easily in any country. So too can larger items like shoes, sandals and even a good book. This may seem like an additional cost, but bear in mind that doing so can be a lot cheaper than purchasing extra luggage.

Pack your bag well

There are plenty of strategies to help fit more into a bag. Just make sure you stay aware of the overall airline weight limit. Pack heavier items at the bottom of the bag, and lighter ones on top. Rolling items rather than keeping them all flat is helpful too. If you are packing shoes (or some other larger items) don't forget that you can squeeze something inside. Before your trip, try a few different ways to pack items - you may be surprised at the differences.

Many travelers like to use packing cubes or compression bags to compress items and fit more in. This might leave clothes a bit more creased, but it is a proven way to fit more in. Again, there are many options for these available from different manufacturers.

Remember allowances for extra items

Finally, don't forget that you can take more onboard than just one bag. Many airlines allow a second, smaller bag or "personal item." This usually has to fit under the airline seat. It's an obvious place to put the things you need during the flights, but there could be some extra space there to use as well.

And don't forget to think about what you wear on the flight. To maximize luggage space, wear your bulkiest clothes and shoes onto the aircraft. You will of course also be able to wear or carry any jacket you want to take - even if it's a bit strange when boarding on a warm day. If you want to really stretch it out, remember you can put some things into jacket pockets - but don't forget hassles at security.