You’ve been saving up for this vacation for a long time, and it’s finally happening. The challenge now is figuring out how to pack your bags efficiently.
When taking a flight, you can bring a carry-on and/or a checked bag. The question, though, is what to pack in both bags.
Here’s a guide on “What to Put in a Carry-On vs a Checked Bag?” Reading this post will free you from the shackles of confusion as you prepare to pack for your vacation.
Let’s start!
Contents
What are carry-on vs checked bags?
Understanding the difference between a carry-on and checked luggage is important before you start packing. Below, you’ll find a concise explanation of what each term means.
Carry-on
When compared to a checked bag, a carry-on is a more compact piece of baggage.
You are permitted to bring it into the passenger section. Depending on the precise dimensions of your carry-on luggage, you can store it in the cabin allocated to you either above or below your seat.
Note: Most airlines allow passengers to bring a carry-on along with a personal item without charge. A personal item is a small item that can fit under the seat in front of you, such as a purse, camera bag or laptop bag.
Checked bag
Checked bags are those kept in the cargo section underneath the plane. When you check in for your flight, you must check your luggage at the airline’s counter (and increasingly at a self-service check-in machine).
After you hand over your checked luggage to the airline, it is returned to you only at your ultimate destination.
Note: Depending on the airline, you can bring multiple checked bags with you if you are prepared to pay for them. The charge for bringing checked bags varies with the airline. If flying first or business class, checked bags are often included.
Things to put in a carry-on bag
After being aware of what exactly a carry-on is, you might now have an idea about what to put in these bags. You need to put those things that you may need during the flight. Let’s get to know more details about this.
Essentials
You should always give priority to essential things in your carry-on. Some of those things could be:
- Passport
- Visa (if needed)
- Insurance documents
- Trip information (like hotel address)
- Money and other valuables, such as jewelry
- Wallet (which includes driving license, credit card, etc.)
- Medicines
Things to use on board
Since you can’t get access to your checked bag while flying, you should always keep those things you would need during the flight in a carry-on. For example, phone chargers, something warm to wear because sometimes the passenger cabin gets too cold, books to read, facewash, eye mask, inflatable pillow, etc.
Pro tip – You should keep the things in your carry-on bag so that you don’t have to bring the bag down from the storage compartment again and again when you need something. Otherwise, other passengers might get uncomfortable and disturbed.
Fragile items
Fragile items like a laptop, sunglasses, a camera, etc. should always be kept in a carry-on bag. Keeping such things in a checked bag is not a good idea, as crew members may not handle them smoothly while they put your luggage in the cargo area.
Things to put in a checked bag
Checked baggage is very beneficial if you are going on a long journey and want to travel with a large amount of luggage.
One thing you should keep in mind is that you should pack only those things that can be replaced, such as footwear and clothes.
There is a slight chance you will not get your checked bags back, but still, there is a chance, so be prepared. Never put valuable items like jewelry, cash, any liquid, or lighters in your checked bag.
Any liquids such as toiletries that are larger than the maximum permitted in carry-on (3.4 ounces/100ml) should be placed in your checked bags.
Most airlines have a limit on the weight of checked bags, which is usually around 20kg to 30kg. So, weigh your bag before checking in; otherwise, you will need to take some things out of the baggage right at the airport or pay extra charges.
Items you need in case the checked bags get lost
If, any day while traveling, your checked bag gets lost, you should always have a few items in your carry-on so that you can easily manage until you find your back or everything gets settled. Here’s a list of a few such items:
- Adapter: To charge mobile, laptop, camera or you can also bring a power bank with you.
- Toiletries: Only of small size (within 3.4 ozs/100ml).
- Clothes: A few sets of outfits, underwear, and a towel.
- Electric or disposable razors: These are allowed on planes. If you want to bring them, bring only electric or disposable ones.
On a recent trip to the UK, my checked bag went missing (thanks, Iberia), and I was without it for three days before it was finally delivered to my hotel. Unfortunately, I still had to buy some additional clothes and toiletries to get me through those three days. Obviously, I claimed compensation.
Medicines
Never pack medicines you might need in your checked bag during the flight!
Do not put some medicines in carry-on and some in checked bags. All your medicines for the entire trip should be put in the carry-on.
If you are running out of space, take out some less important things like clothes. You can buy other clothes if your checked bags are lost, but you may have difficulties buying replacement medicines unless you can visit a local doctor to obtain a prescription.
If you are bringing any medicine larger than 100g or 100 ml, you should also bring a prescription and show it to the security staff in case they don’t allow you to take the medicine on the flight.
Tell them about your medical conditions and give them the prescription to screen it. You’re not allowed to bring any drugs or liquids to the plane above 100g/ml.
Pro tip: You can also bring a written note from your doctor. But you need to tell your doctor to write the letter a few weeks before the day of the flight because it may take a very long time to do it (despite the fact that they will be happy to charge you for it).
Never take a risk with life-saving equipment
If you are an asthmatic patient or have a severe allergy to something, then you should always carry your inhaler, emergency meds, or an EpiPen with you.
Never put these things in your checked luggage. Some airlines carry this life-saving equipment on the flight, but it is not advised to depend on them for help.
Crew members must contact a medical expert to provide them with the equipment available on the flight. After that, there is a lot of paperwork to do, which can take a long time in such serious conditions.
If you think you may not need them on the flight, you should never take any risk. They take up a small space in your bag and can save your life.
If you travel on connecting flights, there is a greater chance of losing your checked bag. This happens mostly when the baggage is transported from one plane to another. Given below are some precautions you can take to reduce the risk.
- You will get a square tag with your name and information on it. Hang this tag on your checked baggage to help the crew members locate your bag.
- Another way to ensure the safety of your luggage is to ask at the check-in counter whether it is going directly to your final destination. If not, you must pick it up and check it in again at the connecting airport. This will confirm that your luggage has shifted to another plane.
- You can take a luggage tag from the airport for free. These are also available at the departure gate or check-in desk. You can either buy a sturdy one or ask for a paper one.
The bottom line
You are now aware of the specific items that should be packed in a carry-on bag compared to a checked bag. However, you should prioritize traveling with just the items that can be carried on.
One of the main reasons is that it is lighter than a checked bag, so you will not need to carry heavy bags on the way to the airport.
Another benefit of bringing only carry-on luggage is that you will not need to pay extra for checked baggage, and you will not fear losing the luggage. However, checked baggage also has a plus point; it will be helpful when carrying a large amount of luggage.
Thanks for reading! Happy Travelling.
I have been traveling around the world by air since the early 70s and living overseas too. I worked for British Airways for a number of years and I am also a private pilot. About Me
