| Luggage can cause a lot of headaches when we're travelling abroad. The fewer bags we take, the less we have to lose. Travelling with hand luggage only might not sound like it would get your holiday off to a dream start but think about it: you wouldn't have to stress about what to take, or how heavy your case is, or queuing at check-in with a trolley loaded with heavy luggage. There'll be no waiting around at the carousel watching an endless stream of bags amble by while nervously waiting for yours to come through - and the biggest bonus of travelling with hand luggage only is that it never leaves our side, which means the airlines can't send it to the wrong airport or put it on the wrong plane.
Travelling with hand luggage only might sound like it's for backpackers and students, but its popularity is on the increase. The advantages are endless. With more and more airlines charging passengers to check in a bag, it's no wonder the popularity of travelling with just hand luggage is on the increase.
You may ask, is it realistic to travel with hand luggage only? The simple answer is yes. Travelling with one bag doesn't mean you have to travel light either. A lot of airlines have generous weight limits for hand luggage and many don't apply a weight limit to hand luggage providing passengers are able to lift their bag into the overhead lockers. There are various tricks you can apply to packing which will reduce the amount you have to take, such as buying toiletries when you arrive at your destination and using beach towels provided at the accommodation rather than taking your own (we provide a plentiful supply of towels and beach towels at Playa de la Lucera!). The tips below will show you how to pack smart when travelling with one bag.
The one thing you will have to remember is the size restrictions on hand luggage when departing from UK airports. Your bag must not exceed 56cm in height, 45cm in width and 25cm deep. Please note that this is the maximum size for a bag; some airlines will have a smaller limit. It is always best to check with your airline before travelling for size and weight restrictions. Liquids can be taken in your hand luggage, but must be in containers that hold no more than 100ml. Liquids must be carried in a transparent, re-sealable bag measuring no more than 20cm by 20cm, and all items must fit inside the bag.
Travelling with just hand luggage can not only save stress and time at the airport, it can also save you money. More and more airlines are beginning to charge passengers to check in a bag. Easyjet and Thomsonfly charge passengers 10 GB Pounds per bag for a return trip if it is checked into the hold, bmibaby charges 14.00 GB Pounds per bag and Ryanair charge 18 GB Pounds. If you are travelling as a family of four with a bag each, you could save up to 72 GB Pounds off the price of your ticket.
What to pack depends on where you go. If you're going on a beach holiday, then pack some swimwear and some clothes for the evening. Toiletries and sun cream can be bought once you arrive (there is a plentiful supply of all these within easy walking distance of Playa de la Lucera - and we can buy these for you in advance if you so wish!). With this in mind, here are our top ten tips for how to pack when travelling with just hand luggage:
1) Plan your outfits before you travel, don't take too many and try and work out what you will need while you are away - you can always make use of the laundry facilities while you're away (there is a washing machine/tumble dryer at Playa de la Lucera).
2) Roll your clothes rather than folding them; this will reduce the amount of space they take up and have the added bonus of stopping your clothes from creasing.
3) Take one pair of shoes and one pair of flip flops. If you're going somewhere hot, you won't need a lot of shoes anyway.
4) Buy toiletries when you arrive. If you are going somewhere remote then you can always buy them in the airport. Don't forget that any liquids bought after you've gone through security can be taken on board regardless of the volume, so you won't have to worry about the 100ml liquids rule.
5) Use your beach bag as hand luggage: this way you won't have to pack a bag inside a bag (however, not all airlines will allow you to take two lots of hand lugage per person).
6) If you are travelling with someone who doesn't take much anyway (i.e. your husband!), then pool your luggage; that way you can use any space they have left over.
7) Use beach towels from the accommodation rather than taking them with you. This will dramatically reduce the amount of space taken up in your bag.
8) Rather than packing heavy books in your bag, buy your holiday reading at the airport (there is also a small library of books at Playa de la Lucera courtesy of previous guests!).
9) Leave behind any toiletries when you return home. This will leave space for any souvenirs that you've bought.
10) If you've bought anything large, consider posting it home. It might work out cheaper to send via courier than pay the excess baggage charge at the airport.
Happy travelling!
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