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1. Not knowing how much you are allowed to take in hand luggage
What are the weight restrictions for hand luggage and checked baggage? Usually your bag should be no bigger than 56 x 45 x 25 cm to meet cabin baggage requirements, however, the weight of this bag varies. Aer Lingus has a limit of 10kg in baggage allowance per person, whereas British Airways allows you to carry on 23kg. Check our full guide to see what you are allowed to carry on board. You can still take laptops on flights to and from Ireland, but if you’re flying through the U.K, you should investigate whether or not your electronic item needs to be in the hold.
Solution:
Plan ahead, find out what your airline permits you to carry on as luggage. If you want to bend the rules, wearable luggage might come in handy. Figure out which items are not allowed onto the plane. The list includes lithium batteries, toy guns and scissors with blades longer than 6cm – get a fine toothed comb out and go through your luggage prior to boarding. Here’s our guide to what is and isn’t permitted on the plane, including liquids, cosmetics and food items.
2. Taking too much with you
Whether it’s a weekend in Edinburgh or a 2 week trip to the Caribbean, we’re all usually guilty of packing far too much. On average, we’ll use about 25% of what we pack, continuously opting for the comfortable, accessible clothes we like. So why bother packing the rest of it?
Solution:
Use the Skyscanner guide for packing light and avoid taking these ‘essential items’. Chances are, you’ll only need a few things for a weekend away, and if you’re cramming things in for a longer trip, it’s worth considering using laundries to reuse your clothes (rather than taking 14 different outfits…).
3. Not organising your packing
So, you’ve left it till the night before. Your suitcase is glaring at you from the corner of the room and your holiday clothes hang neatly in your wardrobe – what technique are you using to pack? Throwing it all in and sitting on the suitcase, or rolling items neatly into corners of the case?
Solution:
Our 15 best ever packing tips are sure to help if you’re a bit of a scatter brain. Packing cubes are also widely available, and you can use these to organise your bags into compartments (clothes for day 1, day 2, etc). Suit jackets and cocktail dresses should be laid out across the case, and folded back on themselves (with other clothes inside) to avoid creasing.
4. Taking too many shoes
Shoes are the enemy when it comes to packing light. Taking just one pair of espadrilles or walking boots can clog your case up an extra kilo.
Solution:
Big on travelling and hiking? Make a point of finding lightweight walking boots for future travels, or make sure to wear your heaviest items when you travel. If you’re camping, you might be interested to know tent pegs are not permitted in hand luggage either. Taking a minimalistic attitude is also appropriate here – you’ll probably end up living in flip flops, so no, you don’t need to take your brogues on holiday.
5. Not planning for your needs
Every traveller has a different checklist: digital nomads might need an extension cable and an extra keyboard, beach bums need only their surf board and swimmers, and those on weekend breaks definitely don’t need more than a carry on.
Solution:
Assess your needs. Going to the Swiss Alps skiing? Don’t bother with the evening outfits. Heading to Thailand for a few months? Make sure you pack your raincoat (it’s not sunny all the time!). Our guide to packing light will make sure you’re packing like a pro.
Book your next adventure and get ready for the trip with these awesome tips from Skyscanner.
How to beat the easyJet cabin baggage rules
The best tips for getting the most into your carry-on.
5 ways to earn upgrades by shopping
How to spend on the high street and turn it into miles in the air.
Cabin luggage guide for all airlines
Make sure you’re not getting caught short and measure your carry on before you arrive at the airport.
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