Travelling with just hand luggage is a great way to save time at the airport, cutting out check-in queues and waiting time at the baggage belt. However, with that comes an additional cost many travellers aren’t aware of until the last minute. Budget airlines commonly put in place strict baggage policies which, if broken, can see fliers faced with eye-watering costs. With Ryanair’s policy recently being dubbed “excessive” by a Spanish court, how can tourists save money and still travel light?
One frequent flier shared their top tips on a Reddit forum, explaining how they travel with minimal baggage and still avoid shelling out for excess weight.
From “pocket stuffing” to being selective about the type of clothing that make it into the bag, one travel pro revealed their top hacks.
The world traveller suggested “ditching jeans for lighter fabrics”, and pointed out often additional weight comes in the form of tech and shoes.
“How you deal with the former is dependent on your travel style, how desperately you need that lens – the latter generally boils down to ‘take less, wear the heavy ones’. But this is all just standard advice,” they write.
The passenger also suggests opting for a particular type of baggage.
“I have neat, not-over-stuffed, not-backpack luggage, and I can carry it all myself without any obvious effort,” they add.
“I think that stops it setting off any ‘oversize/weight’ alarms in the flight staff’s heads.”
READ MORE: Flights: Which budget airline offers most hand luggage allowance – is it Ryanair? [DATA]
However, in a worst-case scenario, there are options for travellers who want to beat the baggage policy.
“Pocket stuffing is an emergency option,” the traveller states.
The advice could be particularly useful for holidaymakers jetting off on holiday with budget air carrier Ryanair.
The airline’s current baggage policy was recently deemed “excessive” and “abusive” by a Spanish Court.
The ruling comes after one passenger took the Irish air carrier to court after they charged her €20 (£17) to take her 10kg cabin bag on board. Though the airline outwardly states a charge will be put in place for any baggage bigger than the designated sizes, the airline was forced to repay the customer in full plus interest.
According to El Pais, which uncovered court documents from the proceedings, the airline was required to pay back the initial baggage fee plus interest of €10 (£7).
Despite this, Ryanair released a statement, saying: “This ruling will not affect the validity of Ryanair’s baggage policy. It is an isolated case which misquoted the CJEU and misinterpreted the airlines’ commercial freedom to determine the size of their cabin baggage”.
DON’T MISS
Flights: Ryanair named UK’s worst airline for sixth year running [DATA]
Ryanair: Hand luggage fees branded ‘excessive’ in Spanish court ruling [COMMENT]
Cruise: Expert reveals why you should always pack this unlikely item [INSIGHT]
Earlier this year, Ryanair came under fire by British tourists who branded the airline “greedy and arrogant” earlier this year in a Which? survey.
The survey rated 100 brands for their customer service quality and discovered Britons aren’t impressed by the airline’s excess baggage fees.
Though the airline boasts amazing low-cost ticket fees, these famously cover just the cost of the seat.
Everything else, from checked luggage to food, come at an additional price.
“Increasingly you need a calculator to work out what the final bill will be, especially with Ryanair,” said Roy Boland, Travel Editor for Which?
“It has spent the last two years cancelling thousands of flights, ruining hundreds of thousands of holidays and flouting the rules on compensation as well.
“The results of our survey show passengers are fed up. They should switch to one of their rivals, who prove that budget prices don’t have to mean budget service.”
Baggage rules laid out by the Irish carrier explain customers can only carry one personal item free of charge.
According to the company website: “Only priority boarding passengers will be permitted to take one small bag (40cm x 20cm x 25cm), plus a larger cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20cm) with a maximum weight allowance of 10kg into the cabin free of charge.
“Non-priority customers can only bring one small bag (40cm x 20cm x 25cm), that must fit into the sizer.”
However, Ryanair is not the only airline with these kind of rules in place.
Other UK budget carriers such as easyjet and Jet2 are among those who set out strict size and weight regulations.
They also expect customers to pay to take a bag on board should it not fit the laid out dimensions.
Carrier easyJet allows passengers the option of one reasonably-sized bag, measuring 56x45x25, and an impressive open weight limit.
However, no additional personal item is allowed.
Passengers who hope to bring on a smaller, personal item would be expected to fork out an additional fee for extra-legroom or FLEXIfare.
Meanwhile, Jet2 travellers can take on board one bag, totalling 10kg and a maximum size of 56x45x25cm, plus an additional personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag.
Nicky Kelvin, Director of Content for The Points Guy UK said: ”Although Jet2 wins here for having the largest free carry-on bag plus an included personal item, the most important takeaway from this section is to measure (and weigh, depending on the airline) your carry-on baggage ahead of time to avoid issues at the airport.
“Planning ahead, organising what bags you’ll need and purchasing whatever carry-on bags (and hold baggage) you need during booking can help you avoid unwanted additional charges later.
“If you’re planning on getting a new carry-on, we recommend taking your airline’s carry-on measurements along with you so ensure it meets the requirements. That way, you won’t have to pay extra in the long run.”