It’s the age-old debate that will never die. Because there is no right or wrong answer. There are pros and cons to both. It’ll depend on your trip, what sort of traveller you are and how long you’re are going away. There are staunch supporters in both camps, who will swear black and blue that their way is the only way. Let’s break it down and see which is best. Carry on only or checked baggage?

Carry On Only

I wish I were this person, to be honest, but as much travelling as I’ve done, I’ve never been able to master just one small carry on bag. Plus I travel for many months at a time so it is virtually impossible to restrict my clothing, toiletries and tech to one small carry on bag.

What Are The Pro’s To Carry On Only?

You are forced to travel light

Checking in is easier at the airport as you only have to do it online, so there is no waiting in queues at the airport

Diedre from Diedre In Wanderland says “carry on really speeds up the airport process for me, and forces me to pack only what’s necessary”

You have everything with you, so no chance of the bag going missing on the flight

You can exit the airport a lot quicker, instead of waiting at the baggage carousel

When you’re at your destination or in the throws of your travel, you can get around with a lot more ease.

Getting on and off buses, trains and ferries is a lot easier

If flying on cheap airlines, or any American airline, you avoid the checked baggage cost

Emily from The Wanderlust Rose says “do yourself a favour & skip the cost of checking a bag”

If there is a delay or you miss a connection you have your bag and things with you

“Always keep your valuables and irreplaceable items close,” says Kaye from La Petite Wanderer

What Are The Con To Carry On Only?

You can barely take anything with you

You have to be super careful what you pack due to carry-on limitations for security purposes such as toiletries, batteries, etc

It can take longer at security to check the contents of a carry-on bag that has ALL of your items in it

Did I mention you are severely limited in what you can take?

You’ll be wearing the same clothing over and over and over again. Just think of all that hand washing

Once at your destination you have to spend money on basic toiletries

There is no room in your carry-on to purchase anything to bring home with you

You won’t be able to take many (if any) cameras or tech items eg laptop/tripod

If you are in one of the last boarding groups and the overhead bins are full you will be required to check your bag in any way. ( I saw this happen on EVERY single internal flight I took in the States) This means all those valuables are going under whether you like it or not!

“I do get anxious when I board last, thinking that they will make me check my bags anyway” Callie from The Lone Travel Girl stated.

Why Weight Restrictions Are Important

If you choose to be a carry-on-only traveller, a word of advice, please stick to the weight and measurement limits. They’re there for a reason, one of which is to ensure the plane takes off on time.

If everyone has huge ass carry-on bags this means you’re not really travelling light are you? It also means you are taking up more than your own space in the overhead bins. This creates headaches for other passengers and flight attendants trying to cram everyone’s things into limited space.

And you know what that means? The plane takes off late! So please, don’t be a selfish traveller.

Reasons For Carry-On Weight and Measurement Limits By Airlines:

• it’s a health and safety issue. Not only for you but for the flight attendants who ultimately will have to lift your heavy bags above their heads into the overhead bins
• the overhead bins have the max weight limit written on them, which is generally 100lbs or 45kg. Why do you think this is? Because due to turbulence or a heavy landing what do you think is going to give way first? The overhead bin latches. You don’t want 10kg + bags landing on your head
• To make sure the plane is not over it’s weight limit. This affects fuel load and burn calculations, ensuring a safe takeoff and landing and keeping the plane in the sky
• It ensures the plane takes off in time
• To allow everyone to have space for their bags, to keep their valuables close by. You’ve all seen the battles that go on for bag space
• Finally to aid in quick deplaning. Everyone is in a rush to get off the plane. If you’re struggling to get your heavy AF bags down from the bins you are delaying everybody, including the aircraft, which generally have a tight turn around for cleaning and boarding the next load of passengers for their flight

Carry On Limits

• American Airlines 18kg (40lbs)
• Delta no carry on weight limit!
• Jetstar 7kg (15lbs)
• Emirates 7kg (15lbs)
• Cathay Pacific 7kg (15lbs)
• Qantas 7kg (15lbs)
• Singapore 7kg (15lbs)
• Japan Airlines 9kg (22lbs)
• Finnair 8kg (17.5lbs)
• Air France 12kg (26lbs)

As you can see weight limits vary depending on the Airline. It is so important that you check the limits of each airline. It’s also important to remember that there may be differences depending on the aircraft being used.

Therefore it is up to you to do your due diligence when booking airfares to see what the weight limits are and STICK TO THEM. If you try and flout the rules don’t then get upset if the airline asks you to check your bag, or charges you money for being over the limit.

If you can’t stick to the limits then are you really the light traveller you think you are? Something to think about

Carry on Tips

• Kaye says “make a list. Don’t over pack”
• Diedre is “a big fan of rolling clothes when packing my carry on”
• Emily sticks to the advice of “pack half as much stuff and twice as much money”
• Tabitha says “be honest with yourself about you’re bringing. Are you really going to use it all?”
• Roxy Advises to “always take out half your clothes and only pack multipurpose items”

Checked Baggage

This is who I am. My name is Luisa and I check-in baggage! I like to have clothing options. I also carry all my camera equipment and laptop. As much as I try, I can’t travel as light as carry on only. In saying that though I still only take a rucksack as checked baggage and a day pack as my carry on. I ain’t out here with 3 suitcases!

My absolute go-to rucksack and day pack are from Kathmandu. I have had the same pack since 2004 and it has come with me through 33 countries. It is such good quality. Every zip still works, every buckle is still intact, nothing has frayed, come un-stitched or has torn. And trust me when I say that bag has been through the wringer on my travels. It’s the only company I would recommend for rucksacks and all outdoor adventure clothing and products. (ps its the rucksack I’m wearing in my blog banner)

What Are The Pro’s To Checked Baggage?

You can take more clothing and shoes giving you variety on your trip (and in your photos). Hello to not wearing the same tired old clothes day in and day out

Depending on what you’re travelling for, you can take more tech items, camera equipment, tripods and even scuba gear

Allison from Forever On Vacay said “I’m a scuba diver and when I travel with my dive gear it fills up an entire bag on its own. Impossible to carry on”

Also, Tabitha from Tabitha Bear said when travelling with her equipment “Checked. My Camera equipment/batteries alone take up all my carry on space”

You don’t have to spend any money at your destination on basic toiletries or additional clothing

There is space to purchase gifts and other items whilst away, that you may need or would like to bring home

You get a workout in every day you lift or carry your bags

For long term travel eg 3-6 months or longer, I personally need options. I can’t be wearing the same 2 t-shirts and pair of shoes for that long. It’s just not going to happen. For people that can travel long term with a carry-on, I commend you but that ain’t me! No Way!

What Are The Con’s To Checked Baggage?

Charging money for a checked bag is becoming more prevalent

Waiting in queues at the airport to check-in your bag

Waiting at the other end, at the baggage carousel for your bags

The airline could misplace your bags leaving you a day or two without things at the other end (although if you look at the statistics this is extremely low)

Meg from Frost + Sun remembers “I almost missed a cruise vacation due to a luggage delay, even though I arrived the day before the cruise departed. It was so stressful to deal with not to mention disappointing”

Alternatively, Allison adds “the best strategy is to get to the airport early so my bag isn’t one of the last ones struggling to make it on the plane”

Security could cut through padlocks to go through your bag (has happened to me 3x I don’t know what I bother!)

You have to cart all those bags around. Hello sore neck, shoulders and arms

“Travelling light offers so much freedom, being able to jump on local buses or walk to find a good home-stay, or travel on the back of a scooter,” says Roxy from Roxanne Taylor Media

Tips for Checked Baggage

• Take a bag or suitcase that you are 100% comfortable with and capable of carrying around for the duration of your trip
• Make a list and stick to it
• Lay everything you want to take on the bed, then halve it
• Roll your clothes. It helps to fit your clothes in and aids in decreasing wrinkles
• Use packing cubes
• Don’t pack anything valuable in your checked luggage
• If you padlock your zippers ensure your padlock is a TSA approved lock (especially if travelling in the States)
• make sure you know the airlines weight restrictions and stick to them
• weigh your bags before you get to the airport so there are no surprises at the check in counter
• Use the time at the baggage carousel to your advantage instead of viewing it as time wasted (eg book your transport, freshen up, text your friends and family back home that you’ve arrived safely)

So, Which is it?

At the end of the day, take the bags and the things you want to take. It doesn’t mean you’re not a “real” traveller if you choose to take a checked bag. It doesn’t make you a better or worse traveller if you only take carry on. What it means is you’ve taken everything into consideration and you have done what is comfortable for you.

Go forth and travel my friends, with whatever bag you are comfortable with!

Maybe you’d like to read my post about my in-flight routine when I travel long haul

So now that you’ve read all the pro’s and con’s for both, which type of traveller are you? Carry on Only or Checked Baggage?

Sharing is caring!