Learn my tried-and-tested tips for flying with hand luggage for free, from packing hacks to knowing your rights with airlines.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve boarded a flight with nothing but my carry-on, only to watch other travelers get hit with surprise fees at the gate. Airlines know that baggage charges add up and they’re banking on you forgetting the fine print. Over the years, I’ve learned how to dodge those fees without stressing at check-in or feeling like I’m smuggling my own backpack.
In this guide, I’m sharing my go-to strategies for flying with free hand luggage whether you’re hopping between European cities or crossing the U.S. coast-to-coast. From packing light to understanding your passenger rights, these tips will help you keep your travel budget for what actually matters: food, experiences, and maybe a cheeky airport coffee.
1. Choose Airlines That Still Include a Cabin Bag
Over the last few years, airlines have quietly shifted their baggage policies, and what used to be standard is now often a paid extra. Low-cost carriers in Europe like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Vueling often limit you to a small “personal item” unless you pay for priority boarding or an upgraded fare. That means even a small cabin suitcase can cost an extra €20–€40 each way.
By contrast, some airlines still include a proper carry-on in the base fare. In the U.S., Southwest Airlines lets you bring both a carry-on and a personal item for free, while JetBlue includes a carry-on in most fares except “Blue Basic.” In Europe, EasyJet’s standard fare lets you take a small cabin bag without paying extra, and some legacy carriers like Lufthansa or KLM include one cabin bag plus a personal item on most economy tickets.
Zee tip :
- Use flight comparison tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner, but always click through to the airline’s official site to check their current baggage allowance.
- Sometimes, upgrading to the next fare class (like “Standard” instead of “Basic”) is cheaper than paying for luggage separately and it often comes with other perks like free seat selection.
2. Know the Size and Weight Limits
This is the most common place travelers get caught out the bag might look fine until it’s in the dreaded metal sizer at the gate.
Airline allowances can vary by just a few centimeters or inches, but that’s enough to rack up fees if you’re over. Here’s a quick reference:
- Europe:
- Ryanair personal item – 40 × 25 × 20 cm (must fit under the seat in front of you).
- easyJet cabin bag – 45 × 36 × 20 cm for standard; larger cabin bag requires “Up Front” or “Extra Legroom” seat purchase.
- U.S.:
- Most major airlines allow 22 × 14 × 9 in carry-on + 1 personal item.
- Budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier only include a personal item carry-ons cost extra.
Packing hack: Use a soft-sided duffel or backpack instead of a hard-shell suitcase. It’s easier to squeeze into sizers, and you can adjust the shape slightly if you’re close to the limit.
Weight checks: Not all airlines weigh carry-ons, but some especially in Asia and Australia are strict. If your bag is overweight, be prepared to shift heavy items into your personal item or jacket pockets.
3. Wear Your Bulky Items
When every kilo counts, what you wear on the plane can save you from baggage fees. I’ve flown out of wintery destinations layered like a travel-ready snowman: jacket over hoodie, scarf, hiking boots, and even a camera slung around my neck.
This trick works well for:
- Winter coats, sweaters, and boots.
- Hiking gear like waterproof jackets or trail shoes.
- Tech items like DSLR cameras or headphones (carry them around your neck).
Zee tip: Wear your bulkiest shoes on travel days and pack lighter pairs. If you’re really tight on space, a travel vest with large pockets can act like “bonus luggage” for small items.
Just remember to be considerate when boarding if you’re peeling off layers; step aside so you’re not blocking other passengers.
4. Use a Lightweight, Compact Bag
Your choice of bag makes a huge difference. My old carry-on suitcase weighed 4 kg empty that’s almost half of some airlines’ limits gone before packing. Switching to a lightweight 35L travel backpack cut the weight to under 1.5 kg, giving me more room for actual essentials.
When choosing a bag, look for:
- Weight: Aim for under 2 kg empty.
- Size flexibility: Soft-sided bags fit better under seats and into overhead bins.
- Accessibility: Front-loading zippers mean you can open your bag like a suitcase without unpacking everything.
Extra tip: Some backpacks come with detachable daypacks perfect for using as your “personal item” while the main bag goes overhead.
5. Max Out Your “Personal Item”
Many airlines allow a personal item in addition to your cabin bag. This could be a laptop bag, tote, or small backpack that fits under the seat in front of you.
I always pack my heaviest essentials here:
- Electronics (laptop, camera, chargers, power bank).
- Travel documents and valuables.
- Snacks and a refillable water bottle.
By shifting weight into your personal item, you keep your main bag lighter and avoid surprises if it gets weighed.
Important: Check the size limits for personal items they’re often smaller than you think. Spirit Airlines, for example, limits personal items to 18 × 14 × 8 in. In Europe, some low-cost carriers measure them just as strictly as carry-ons.
6. Take Advantage of Duty-Free Rules
One of the easiest and most overlooked tricks for bringing an extra bag onboard is using a duty-free shopping bag. In many airports, any purchases made in the airside shops can be carried separately from your carry-on and personal item.
How I use this to my advantage:
If I’m short on space, I’ll pick up a small bottle of water or snack from the duty-free store and ask for a large branded bag. Then I’ll discreetly tuck my overflow items inside an extra sweater, a paperback book, or even souvenirs from my trip.
Important to know:
- In Europe, most airlines and airports will allow a duty-free bag without counting it toward your baggage allowance.
- In the U.S., enforcement is stricter, and many airlines count duty-free purchases toward your total.
- On connecting flights, your second airline might not honor the duty-free exception if you clear security again.
Zee tip: Choose a bag with sturdy handles so it doesn’t rip mid-boarding. And don’t overstuff it a bulky “duty-free” bag can still draw attention from gate staff.
7. Pack Like a Minimalist
Traveling light is a skill, and it’s the single best way to avoid baggage fees. I use a capsule travel wardrobe, so almost every top matches every bottom.
My minimalist packing formula for a one-week trip:
- 3–4 tops (mix of short and long sleeve, depending on climate).
- 2 bottoms (light trousers, jeans, or shorts).
- 1 versatile dress or outfit for evenings.
- 1 light jacket or cardigan.
- 2 pairs of shoes (bulkiest worn on plane).
- Enough underwear and socks for a week, wash as you go.
Packing tips that save space:
- Rolling clothes instead of folding helps prevent wrinkles and makes it easier to see everything in your bag.
- Packing cubes keep items compressed and organized they also make it easy to pull out one category without unpacking your entire bag.
- Limit “just in case” items. If you can buy it cheaply at your destination, leave it out.
8. Bring a Portable Luggage Scale
I can’t tell you how many panicked travelers I’ve seen at the airport floor, frantically moving items between bags. A portable luggage scale saves you from that stress.
They’re small (about the size of a TV remote), lightweight, and can be picked up for $10–$15 online. I always weigh my bag the night before my flight, especially if I’ve picked up souvenirs or heavier items during the trip.
Why it matters:
- In Asia and Oceania, carry-on weight limits can be as low as 7 kg (15 lbs) and are strictly enforced.
- Some European low-cost airlines have 8–10 kg limits and will weigh at check-in and at the gate.
Zee tip: If you’re slightly over the limit, shift the heaviest items to your personal item or wear them onboard.
9. Check In Early (and Gate-Check for Free)
On busy flights, gate agents often ask for volunteers to check their carry-ons for free to save overhead bin space. This is a great way to avoid carrying a bag through the airport and to skip the fee if you didn’t pay for a carry-on in advance.
How to make this work for you:
- Check in as early as possible either online or at the airport so you’re among the first to board and can speak to the gate agents before the rush.
- Politely ask if they’re checking carry-ons for free. If yes, you can hand yours over without paying.
- Remove essentials (passport, electronics, medications) and keep them in your personal item before handing over your bag.
Downside: You’ll have to collect it from baggage claim at your destination, which can add time.
10. Know Your Rights
Understanding your passenger rights can make the difference between paying an unnecessary fee and walking onto the plane with your bag.
In the EU:
- A 2014 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union states that passengers are entitled to bring a “reasonable amount” of cabin baggage free of charge, as long as it meets airline safety requirements.
- However, “reasonable” isn’t strictly defined, so airlines still set their own size rules and not all countries enforce this ruling equally.
- Spain has been particularly active in enforcing fines against airlines that charge for standard cabin bags.
In the U.S.:
- There’s no law requiring airlines to include a free carry-on, but they must clearly disclose baggage fees before purchase.
- Most full-service carriers (like Delta, United, and American) allow a carry-on + personal item for free on standard economy fares. Ultra-low-cost airlines (like Spirit and Frontier) don’t.
Zee tip: If you believe you’ve been wrongly charged in the EU, you can file a complaint with the national consumer protection authority in the country of departure. In the U.S., complaints go to the Department of Transportation.
Avoiding hand luggage fees isn’t about tricking the system it’s about knowing the rules and being strategic. By choosing the right airline, packing smart, and taking advantage of allowances, you can keep your travel budget intact for the things that really make the trip memorable.
