Decide whether you have one bag or two
Look at the baggage section of your ticket before deciding on a roller suitcase and backpack. Some basic fares include only one under-seat item; a handbag or laptop case may count as another bag.
For a weekend with one small backpack, start with two changes of underwear, a spare top and a compact toiletry kit. Wear your main walking shoes and choose a layer that works for both the journey and cooler evenings. Add what your actual plans require rather than a second outfit for every possible situation.
Measure the bag after you pack it
Put the bag upright and measure its full height, width and depth. Include wheels, handles and pockets, and check whether an expansion zip pushes it over the limit. Soft bags can also become too deep when tightly packed.
For example, a 55 × 40 × 25 cm suitcase exceeds the 20 cm depth of Ryanair’s Priority overhead allowance even though its height and width match. Do not rely on the word cabin in a shop listing.
Weigh the contents that are easy to overlook
A laptop, charging brick, camera and toiletry bag can use much of your weight allowance before any clothing goes in. Weigh the finished bag, then remove duplicate cables, spare shoes or a bulky book if you need to reduce it.
Packing cubes keep clothing organised but do not increase your airline allowance. Leave enough space for a jacket you may remove at the airport and anything you plan to bring home.
Keep a small flight pouch ready
Put your travel document, boarding pass, essential medication, headphones and a charging cable where you can reach them without emptying the bag. Use a separate pouch for a power bank and spare batteries so you can remove them quickly if the suitcase is taken for the hold.
Keep valuables and essential overnight items in your permitted personal item when you have one. If you have only one bag, use an internal pouch you can take out when staff tell you the bag must be checked.
Be ready for the bag to go into the hold
A bag within the allowance can still be taken for the hold when cabin space is limited. Before handing it over, remove power banks, spare lithium batteries and battery-powered devices in line with airline instructions, plus your documents, medication and valuables.
Ask where to collect the bag: an arrival belt or aircraft-side collection may be used depending on the flight. Keep the baggage receipt until you have the bag back, and check the airline instructions if you are connecting to another flight.
Check before you go
Airline allowances, check-in deadlines and airport rules can change. Check the rules for every flight in your booking before you travel.
