How to travel with carry-on luggage and avoid paying for checked bags

Flying with only carry-on luggage is great. While everyone else is waiting for their baggage, you're already leaving the airport with a satisfied look. After all, you don't actually need that many things for a trip. We're sharing a set of practical travel hacks for light travel.

Check airline rules

First, go to your carrier's website and find out the permissible weight and dimensions of carry-on luggage on the plane. Each company has its own requirements – for Aeroflot, Pobeda, S7, Utair and so on. Here, also check the list of what cannot be carried in hand luggage. Just leave all of that at home.

Check for carry-on allowance beyond the norm

This isn't about “pay extra and bring a second small suitcase,” but about a pre-agreed list of items allowed in the cabin. You're unlikely to gain anything from a bouquet of flowers, but an umbrella might come in handy. And a woman's handbag is a treasure trove of useful space if used wisely. We'll put all documents, a power bank, a sleep mask, headphones, and all necessary in-flight cosmetics into it. Maybe even some of what usually goes in the suitcase. For example, a small tube of toothpaste.

Send luggage in advance

By a shipping company. We travel separately, the suitcase with belongings travels separately. We meet at the destination. An excellent method for those who are going to one city for a long time and are not ready to give up evening outfits or three pairs of shoes on a trip. Why overpay the airline when shipping companies have lower rates?

Choose a suitcase, bag, or backpack

The minimum weight for carry-on luggage is 5 kg. Such strict conditions are more common with low-cost carriers. In other cases, you can count on 8-10 kg. The weight of an empty suitcase up to 50 cm high already reaches 2.5-3 kg. A backpack, however, weighs about 1.5 kg. The choice is obvious.

Check the weather forecast

In Thailand, you won't need a sweater “for cool evenings” – they simply don't happen there. And for a two-day trip to St. Petersburg, you don't need to bring a swimsuit. But if rain is forecast, an umbrella and/or raincoat will come in handy in both places.

Pack a capsule wardrobe

Choose items that are easiest to combine with each other. Even at home, plan your vacation fashion looks. The ultimate goal: any top matches any bottom.

There are several ways to assemble a capsule wardrobe for travel. The simplest set is a white T-shirt, versatile jeans, a convertible dress, comfortable shorts, and a light shirt with roll-up sleeves. There's also the 5-4-3-2-1 method: for a week-long trip, five sets of underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes, and one headpiece are enough.

Choose less bulky clothing

For cold climates, opt for layering, but each layer shouldn't be too bulky. For example, thermal underwear is thinner but warms no worse than a thick wool sweater.

Roll everything into cylinders

It seems everyone has already heard about the most effective method of folding clothes. But if not, let's repeat: compact rolls fit into a suitcase like Lego bricks. Plus, the fabric won't wrinkle as much – double benefit.

Use vacuum bags

Pack items in them and suck out the air. This will minimize volume. The downside of this method is that you'll have to find a vacuum cleaner before your return flight, otherwise the trick won't work.

Take travel-sized versions

Of everything possible – shampoo, shower gel, mascara, face cream. Or transfer liquids for carry-on into bottles up to 100 ml. There are also hacks here, for example, instead of makeup remover liquid, you can take microfiber cloths. Or rely on the cosmetics provided by the hotel. 

Fill all space

Place some items inside others. For example, socks can easily go inside shoes.

Take a “smart” neck pillow

It's smart because it's foldable, portable, and spacious. Inside, it doesn't have air or polystyrene beads, but an empty zippered compartment where T-shirts, shorts, swimsuits, and other small clothing items can go. Plus, space for extra luggage, plus comfortable neck support. Just don't stuff it too tightly so it doesn't look or feel excessively heavy.

Distribute among bags

“If you go on a journey with a friend, the road is merrier.” And more profitable! Because items can be evenly distributed between two suitcases. This way, you can avoid overweight charges.

Wear everything you can

Outerwear. That big fluffy sweater. The bulkiest sneakers. You can also tie a shirt around your waist. Your stylish look for a budget flight is ready! Anything worn on you is not considered carry-on luggage. After security checks, take off anything extra and put it in a bag. And if airport staff ask about it, take it out and put it back on.

Buy locally

100 ml of sunscreen might not be enough for a week. If not, buy a second bottle locally. In hot Southeast Asian countries, clothes and shoes are inexpensive. Do you really need to bring flip-flops with you?

Note the benefits

First, in kilograms: weigh your packed suitcase/backpack/bag at home, check against target indicators. Be glad you made it and understand – traveling with carry-on luggage:

• it's fast: you won't have to waste time at the baggage claim carousel;
• it's safe: your luggage won't get lost or damaged if it flies in the overhead bin;
• it's cheap: baggage allowance under the “Economy Basic” fare with S7 is paid, 10 kg of baggage with Pobeda – from 1,499 ₽, with Utair – 1,999 ₽. Carry-on luggage up to 5 kg is always free. 
• it's convenient: especially when traveling with transfers. You won't have to worry about your luggage flying to one country while you fly to another.

And we also have a FAQ on carry-on luggage. All popular questions in one place!