The airline packing dilemma – take a carry-on or check a full bag?

With airline baggage fees being what they are, it’s nice to avoid having to pay them. Certain trip lengths can be irritating, as it may be too short for packing a checked bag, but too long to bring just a carry-on.

I have a trip coming up soon which will mean I’m away for four nights. It’s bang on what I consider to be the line between needing a checked bag or getting away with less.

Packing Strategies

Since airlines let you also bring a handbag or laptop bag, it is possible to bring a little more. That being said, there is no way I am going to get a beach towel into what I am bringing, and I will probably need one.

Carting along necessary toiletries as well as a laptop, not to mention various outfits all takes up space. The only saving grace is that I can probably get away with bringing just one pair of shoes. I find shoes take up the most space of all.

Perhaps the key here is not to pack anything in particular at all. I’ve heard of people electing to buy everything they need at their destination and then just throwing it away afterwards. That doesn’t sit well with me, as I don’t like chucking away perfectly good items.

I can see another game of bag Tetris in my future, as I’m probably just going to take the carry-on. Anything to avoid the extra bag fees, really!

Overall Thoughts

I guess the good thing about the bag fees is that airlines make you think about what to take. Rather than bringing everything you own, you have to consider carting along only what is necessary. That of course means less fuel to take you where you’re going, so it’s a win all round.

Where is the line between a carry-on bag and checked luggage for you? Do you have any particular packing strategies or pack hacks that might be helpful? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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Featured image by NASA via Wikimedia Commons.
Airport bags by Minette Lontsie via Wikimedia Commons.