Now that travelling abroad has become a lot easier following the travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are excitedly dusting off our passports, stocking up on plastic-free sunscreen and taking the opportunity to hop on a plane for a well-deserved break overseas.
Whether you're travelling with only hand luggage on a shorter break or you simply want to make the most of the space alongside packing your suircase, make sure you avoid unwanted airport drama and ensure your holiday gets off to a smooth, stress-free start with our tips for what to pack in your hand luggage.
What to pack in your hand luggage
• Passport, documentation and money: You may prefer to keep these in your handbag so you can reach it easier when required.
• Valuables: Checked luggage can occasionally go missing so you'll want to keep your valuables close to you rather than in hold luggage.
• Phone, laptop or tablet: As above, it's better to pack these electronic items in your hand luggage.
• Your 100ml liquids of choice in a transparent and sealable bag.
• A travel pillow: If you're likely to want to sleep on the plane, you may want to ring along a neck pillow. You'll find that most people save space by hooking this to the outside of their hand luggage rather than having it inside.
• A refillable water bottle
• Snacks: Save money on pricey airport snacks by bringing your own.
• Phone charger: Many phones have USB charging points for you to use but this is useful to have in your hand luggage should you get separated from your hold luggage.
• Change of clothes and underwear: If you're travelling just with hand luggage, you'll have all of this packed already but it's wise to take a spare set of clothes and underwear regardless should you get delayed or lose your luggage.
• Entertainment: Make use of your time flying by flicking through a magazine (it's got to be Yours!), devouring a paperback or even bringing along a portable game to play.
• Tissues and disinfectant wipes: Trust us, these are well worth throwing into your bag for any sneezes or mucky surfaces.
What can't go in hand luggage?
• Liquids over 100ml (this includes cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss as well as liquid or semi-liquid foods)
• A lighter. If you wish to take a lighter on board, you should put it inside a resealable plastic bag and it must be kept on you throughout the flight but not in your hand luggage.
• Corkscrew
• Knife (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or blade longer than 6cm)
• Large scissors (with blades longer than 6cm)
• Non-safety matches
• Fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics, including party poppers and toy caps
• Cigarette lighter
• Heavy bats and sticks (including baseball, softball and cricket bats)
• Gold clubs
• Darts
• Walking/hiking poles
• Firearms, harpoon or spear gun
• Crossbow
• Martial arts equipment
• Work tools such as a drill, saw, screwdriver, hammer, pliers etc
• Ammunition and guns or firearms including air rifles and starting pistols
• Chemicals and toxic substances such as acids and alkalis and oxidisers and organic peroxides
Be sure to consult your airline to double-check what you can and cannot take on board.
Can you take a razor in hand luggage?
Yes, you can take certain types of razors in your hand luggage. While double-edged blades are banned, you are able to take a fixed-cartridge razor blade (e.g. a disposable razor) in your hand luggage. Usually, these must be in their packaging.
Can you take medication in hand luggage?
When it comes to liquid medicine, the general rule is that you can only take 100ml in your cabin bag. However, you’re allowed to carry essential medicines of more than 100ml in your hand luggage as long as you have supporting documentation from a relevant medical professional (for example a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription). The same rule applies to gel packs, liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers. If you’re unsure, contact your airline or airport customer services in advance to check
Hand luggage tips
Pack and roll
Increase the amount of space in your suitcase by investing in air-compression plastic bags. These nifty little bags will shrink your clothes, allowing more room for larger items. To use them, simply pop your clothes in, seal, roll and squeeze the air out — there’s no need to use a pump or vacuum. This will leave you with lots of extra space and will prevent creases more effectively than folding. Alternatively, consider using packing cubes to keep things organised.
Downsize your liquids
If you don’t have a hold bag, you might consider buying toiletry minis to beat the 100ml liquids carry-on rule, but this can add up. Travelsupermarket.com found that travel-sized toiletries can cost up to 750 per cent more than regular-sized products. For example, a 150ml can of Dove antiperspirant spray was £1 on the high street but a 35ml travel-sized version cost £1.99 from WHSmith’s airport branches! Invest in 100ml containers and fill them with products you already have at home.
Quench your thirst
With the 100ml liquid restrictions, we’re often forced to purchase expensive drinks from shops and restaurants before boarding our flight — a 500ml bottle of water can cost as much as £3! Avoid this unnecessary expense by packing a couple of empty water bottles in your carry-on bag. Most airports have water fountains or offer facilities beyond security for you to fill them up.
Invest in the best
Investing in a good bag can pay dividends in the long run. For a cabin bag, a soft-sided case is recommended as it’ll allow you to squeeze in as much as possible.
Wear your weight
Wear your heaviest items (boots, heavy coat, etc.) through the checkpoint security rather than wasting the space in your carry-on. Umbrellas typically count as a carry-on ‘freebie’ so don’t waste space in your bag (check with your airline for its policy though).