Airfare is the main cost of a trip, especially if it is international.
Today, with the advent of low-cost airlines, basically all airlines have adopted that the initial prices for air tickets only include hand luggage, meaning you cannot check a bag.
This means that tickets are normally 20 to 30% cheaper, with the same company.
However, if you switch to low cost companies there may be a reduction of up to 80% in value.
In this case, on a ticket from São Paulo to New York the difference was 56%.
Click on the images to see the details.
It is clear that low cost companies are not only saving on luggage, but also on services.
This allowed more people to travel, however, it created a challenge, which is how to travel with so little space for clothes, equipment, etc.
At first it seems impossible, but with these definitive tips and some advantages of traveling with just your suitcase, you will adapt smoothly.
Advantages of traveling with hand luggage only.
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- Check in online and go straight to the boarding gate.
- No queuing at the airport.
- When you arrive, go straight out, as you don’t have to wait for your checked bags.
- Never have your luggage lost.
- Its movement is very simple and fast.
- It is rarely blocked at customs, as agents look for those with a lot of luggage.
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The big secret is the art of making an efficient suitcase.
To help with this task, I prepared this post with valuable tips for those who want to travel with only hand luggage and thus save money so they can travel more and better.
To achieve this you have to improve the concept of minimalism, that is, having only what is essential.
Most of the time we carry a lot of things that we don’t use.
However, it is not enough to just take the essentials, but also to know what to take and for that we need some information.
1 - Know the measurements and weights allowed for on-board luggage.
Normally, one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse are allowed.
There is no well-defined standard, but most are around the following maximum measurements: 55 x 45 x 25 cm.
A personal object with the following maximum measurements: 35 x 25 x 55 cm (length x width x height), including handles, pockets and wheels, in general, it is a volume that fits under the seat.
Attention! The two volumes (personal item and hand luggage) together must weigh a maximum of 10 kg!
See this Skyscanner article with the restrictions of several airlines.
See here the best-rated handbags on Amazon within these measurements.
I prefer to use a 30 liter Deuter backpack.
2 – Improve your concept of what is necessary.
The vast majority of people believe that they really need everything when they go on a trip.
The concept of minimalism helps a lot.
Another thing is to use it more than once, especially for women who have some difficulties with this.
There are several tips on how to wear clothes to make it look like you have more than you really do.
You also have the option to wash your clothes.
See my trip through the Balkan countries.
3 – Don’t take anything you’re not sure you’ll use.
You know, that special outfit for a gala event that you want to have if something happens. Don’t take it, because 90% of the time it doesn’t happen and it will be wasted space.
If you don’t wear your clothes every day, there’s a high chance that they’ll end up at the bottom of your suitcase and come home crumpled.
4 – Think of all possible combinations.
The rule is one of the most important! Don’t take clothes that don’t match together on your trip.
Choose basic ones that can be combined and used on different trips.
This way, you can repeat clothes without anyone noticing. The more basic, the better and easier it will be to combine. Not to mention that it’s always good to save time when choosing what to wear during your trip.
5 – Choose light fabrics that don’t wrinkle or add bulk.
For those who are frequent travelers, you already know that clothes with more technical fabrics (thin, don’t wrinkle, don’t smell, are quick-drying, etc.)
Choosing clothes that are suitable for traveling light is just as important as not choosing too many clothes.
Dressing in layers is super important to avoid carrying heavy coats.
If you need one, choose to carry it in your hand, saving space and weight in your hand luggage.
6 – Leve apenas sapatos multiúso, que já foram testados no dia a dia.
Leve para a viagem apenas sapatos, sandálias e até chinelos que você tem certeza que poderão ser usados à exaustão sem machucar o pé.
Geralmente só um tênis que vou causar comigo e outro na mala. Se a viagem for turismo levo outro tênis e se tiver alguma coisa mais formal um sapatênis já ajuda.
Quando estou indo para fazer trilhas, vou causando a bota de trekking e outro tênis na bagagem de mão.
7 – Purchase special travel equipment and accessories.
All the products we use daily are large, but they all have compact and much lighter versions for travel.
Weight and volume are included in the price of the air ticket, as it uses more fuel and cargo space.
The smaller the better! Even if they are not as efficient, they will help when it comes to keeping the weight and space within the limits of your carry-on luggage.
Creams and shampoo are not necessary in the original quantity, using smaller bottles saves weight and space.
Additionally, some can be purchased at the destination.
For women, reduce the number of accessory options, especially those that weigh too much.
Don’t forget the limits and specifications for liquids in hand luggage. It’s important to follow the rules so you don’t have to check in your luggage at the last minute or throw away your favorite product. Remember to identify all jars with labels and place them in sealed bags to avoid problems, especially on international flights.
Waterproof bags, I use the ones from Sea to submit.
8 – No need to take a bunch of bags, backpacks and bags for the trip.
Those who go want to return and the price of the air ticket is just one, that is, unless you include luggage on your way there, there is no going back.
As your space and weight is limited, there is no point in taking many bags, as you will not have space to bring things, or you will have to pay for shipping.
My carry-on luggage is a 30-liter Deuter backpack.
I did this trip in the Dolomites for 12 days with just a 30 liter backpack
I have my soft bag for emergencies, but it only weighs a few grams and is the size of a closed fist when empty. See options on Amazon.
9 – Choose a lightweight carry-on suitcase with good internal space.
Choosing the right suitcase is very important, as the weight includes the suitcase itself.
So the lighter the suitcase, the more weight you can carry.
The internal space is also essential for accommodating your luggage.
Importantly, don’t forget to check the size of the suitcase, to make sure it is within the permitted limits.
There is no standard, but the vast majority have dimensions of approximately 55 X 45 X 25 (H, L, P).
See this Skyscanner article with the restrictions of several airlines
Also take into account that on shorter flights the type of aircraft can radically change the baggage measurements.
Choosing a different color can help identify your on-board luggage, of course it will be with you most of the time, but it may be checked on occasion.
10- Pack your suitcase in advance and make the most of every space.
One of the most important tips is to pack your suitcase in advance. This will help you only take what you need.
First separate everything you will need, after a few days or hours review to see if you can remove anything.
Redo this process as many times as you want, the better.
The art of storing things inside a suitcase is improved each time you pack your suitcase.
Take advantage of every inch of your luggage to put something in it.
The space inside the shoe can accommodate some bottles, socks, etc.
Place everything inside airtight or vacuum bags, which can save a lot of space.
Organize each bag the way you will need it during the trip, to only open the ones that are necessary, making your life easier during the trip.
Reserve a waterproof bag for dirty clothes, this way you don’t mix up your clothes during the trip and it’s easier to send them to the dry cleaners.
Waterproof bags, I use the ones from Sea to submit.
11 – Make it clear that you will not have an order list.
Especially when traveling internationally, friends and relatives always want you to bring something.
If you only take hand luggage, this is not possible.
If someone really wants something, then let them pay the cost of checking a bag.
12 – Leave heavier and more sensitive objects in your personal bag.
If you are traveling with a camera, notebook, books and other heavier objects, prefer to put them all in your personal bag.
Every passenger can board with one carry-on bag and one other personal item (which can be a shoulder bag, a backpack or a small bag).
This bag is unlikely to be heavy at check-in, so leave it to store more sensitive and heavier objects inside.
Jackets can be carried in your hand, so they don’t take up space in your bag or carry-on luggage. Bulkier shoes should be worn.
Some products such as portable battery must be in personal bag.
13 – Avoid headaches and unexpected costs.
In addition to knowing and being within the norms of what is and cannot be carried in hand luggage, it is also important to know the exact weight of your luggage.
Having a shirt or a computer makes a big difference in weight.
So having a scale to check the weight of everything you are carrying is essential.
Before leaving home, weigh your carry-on luggage to make sure it meets the airline’s standards. Avoid customers wanting you to ship the volume and incurring extra expenses that were not included in the budget.
Portable scale.
