Hand luggage full? You could use these hacks.
Travelling with a hand trolley only is a great way to save money on flights and stay flexible. Here are some airport hacks if you're running out of space.
In this article I wrote about my favorite packing techniques + why I prefer flying with just a hand trolley.
How often did I end up having more stuff that can humanly fit in a hand suitcase?
A lot of times, especially on return flights.
Buying extra baggage online or at the check-in counter is always a good idea. But sometimes we forget, or it's just too late to do so.
Here are some things I've learned about boarding with a hand luggage only -and what to do when there's really no more space in it.
Duty free bags are generally allowed on board
Airports (and airlines) want us to spend time at the airport before boarding a flight. More time spent at the airport means more shopping. For this reason, passengers are generally allowed to bring on board extra bags containing items bough at the airport, for example at the duty free.
Baggage checks at the gate are stricter closer to gate opening
Very few people know this. One pattern I've observed after many years of flying: Passengers showing up shortly before gate closure are usually less often checked (and charged) in case they carry extra baggage.
In fact, baggage checks usually happen before or shortly after gates open. Some airlines even do pre-boarding screening before the gate to make sure passengers are not carrying extra items.
Of course, you don't want to end up like this…
How about stuffing your neck pillow?
This is a funny one. Some travel influencers found a way to squeeze their stuff into a small pillow and take it with them (for free) on the plane. I've never tried it myself and it seems quite a desperate solution -but also straightforward!
About me:
As a passionate traveler and airline & hospitality expert I've been lucky to experience travel from behind the scenes -From crossing the Andes by bus, to flying Business class to the Maldives.
Some fun facts about my trips:
I’ve visited 5 of the 7 New World Wonders
Lowest point I’ve reached: Death Valley, California at -86 mt (-282 ft) altitude
Highest point I’ve reached: The Andes, 5,050 mt (16,568 ft) altitude
I've stayed at 100+ accommodations, from a tent in the Savannah to a houseboat on a French river
I’ve travelled 350,000+ km across 45+ countries and 5 continents by bus, car, boat, bike, hiking and so much more…
In my blog Beating Jetlag I share my travel experiences, insider tips and behind-the-scenes content for smart adventurers, as well as travel marketing recommendations for Creators. You can read more about me here.