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Carry-on and checked luggage
What you need to know before you start packing
Regardless of whether we’re flying with low-cost airlines or with a traditional carrier we should consider how to pack our luggage in the best way. This guide is intended to answer the question when it makes sense to take checked luggage (and to pay additionally in case of low- cost airlines), and when and how to pack only carry-on luggage.
When does it make sense to pay additionally for checked luggage?
When we reserve a flight with a low-cost airline, we need to consider whether it’s worth it to pay additionally for the checked luggage, or can we manage with just the carry-on.
Checked luggage costs
Currently the issue of payment for checked luggage applies not only to low-cost airlines, but also to some classes of regular airlines (e.g. promotion booking classes of Air France and KLM). As for the low-cost airlines, prices for checked luggage depend on the season and on the route.
If we decide on taking the checked luggage it may be worthwhile to check the cost of flying with lines which guarantee such options in the price of the flight. It frequently turns out that the price for the flight and the cost of checked luggage is the same as flying with a traditional airline. And these frequently guarantee arrival to the airport nearer the city downtown, they provide on-board services included in the price and a general higher standard of travel.
- Checked luggage with Wizzair — 23 or 32 kg
- Checked luggage with Ryanair — 15 kg or 20 kg
- Checked luggage with Tarom — 30 kg
If we decide on taking the checked luggage it may be worthwhile to check the cost of flying with lines which guarantee such options in the price of the flight. It frequently turns out that the price for the flight and the cost of checked luggage is the same as flying with a traditional airline. And these frequently guarantee arrival to the airport nearer the city downtown, they provide on-board services included in the price and a general higher standard of travel.
Advantages and disadvantages of the checked and carry-on luggage
When considering whether we want to pay for checked luggage, we shouldn’t only consider the price. This is why we wanted to list the advantages of both solutions:
| Carry-on luggage | Checked luggage |
|---|---|
| ✔ everything is at hand! ✔ saves money (low-cost airlines) ✔ saves time when checking and retrieving luggage (a total of up to 1.5 h!) ✔ no risk of luggage being delayed or lost | ✔ usually more than twice the luggage may be taken ✔ free hands at the airport (important particularly with transfers!) ✔ toiletries may be transported without limitation ✔ when we need to take sharp tools (knife, multitool) or equipment made of metal (e.g. a tent) ✔ when transporting liquid souvenirs or gifts, e.g. a bottle of wine ✔ large size — the restriction of carry-on luggage dimensions is frequently a maximum of 40 cm, when in case of checked luggage the total dimensions (length, width, height) may reach up to 158 cm. |
VOLA.RO advice:
If you’re flying for less than 7 days and the checked luggage would be additionally paid — try to avoid the costs and pack a carry-on using our guide.
1. Size matters!
Start with checking the maximum dimensions of carry-on luggage allowed by the given airline. For your convenience we provide the allowable dimensions for a few known airlines, where every passenger may take:
- Ryanair — 2 pieces of luggage (1: max. 10 kg and dimensions up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm, 2: small bag 40 x 30 x 20 cm)
- Wizzair — 1 piece of luggage with a max. weight of 10 kg and dimensions of 42 x 32 x 25 cm
- Tarom - 1 piece of luggage with a max. weight of 10 kg and dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20 cm
2. Toiletries and liquids
Toiletries are the reason why many people decide to pay for checked luggage. Before you do that, think whether you won't be able to live on the amount allowed in the carry-on luggage limits.
Princilpes:
Put the toiletries in a transparent bag (e.g. plastic bag) with a dimensions of max. 20 x 20 cm
pour the toiletries into small, transparent containers, max. 100 ml each. You can have even up to 10 such vials – a total of 1 litre of toiletries per person
If you’re flying in Europe, don’t take anything non-essential! If you really need something, you can buy it. Compare the price of an additional shampoo to the cost of checked luggage, for example…
VOLA.RO advice:
If sufficient time is left before the departure, we recommend purchasing or ordering a toiletry bag prepared for the transport of toiletries according to the recommended carry-on luggage standards.
3. Clothing
Naturally everything depends on the time of the year and the destination, but there are a few simple rules. Wear the heaviest boots (if you need more than one pair) to the airplane, and similarly the outerwear, even if you have two pieces of it. It will not count in the luggage limits.
If the problem is not the weight, but the volume of clothing, and we have decided to go on an active vacation the use of compression bags may prove worthwhile. They are usually water- and stain - resistant, so they will prove useful during travels further on, and they are capable of significantly reducing the space occupied by our clothing.
Another idea is vacuum bags – re-sealable plastic bags, from which air is sucked out with a vacuum, able to compress clothes by even up to half their volume.
4. Electronics and reading materials
Nowadays it’s rare to find someone without a smartphone, laptop or tablet and a photo or video camera. Each of these items is not only rather heavy, but also needs its own charger and frequently a case. If we add books (if you prefer reading traditional, paper books) and magazines, this could occupy the entire carry-on. The only solution is examining our conscience to decide which of these things are really necessary, and which ones we may leave for a few days
Remember that most airlines do not allow transporting electronics in the checked luggage, and if we do it and it gets damaged or lost, the airline will not be responsible and we will not be reimbursed.
VOLA.RO advice:
Remember to pack electronics last. When going through check-in and security at the airport we will be asked to place the laptops, tablets and other gadgets into separate containers. When they’re easily accessible this will be fast and easy.
Luggage — bag or suitcase?
Travellers frequently ask what is better: bag or a suitcase? This dilemma occurs both in case of checked and carry-on luggage. Let’s leave for a moment the issue of style and various scenarios of travel after arrival and let’s try to concentrate on planning the flight with the carry-on luggage.
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of both solutions:
| Travel bag | Suitcase |
|---|---|
Advantages: ✔ it is light (usually up to 0,5kg) | Advantages: ✔ if it has wheels — very easily rolled, does not require carrying |
Disadvantages: ✗ has to be carried | Disadvantages: ✗ heavier – an empty carry-on sized suitcase usually weighs approx. 2 kg. |