Traveling with one backpack reduces costs, waiting and the risk of lost luggage

Traveling with one backpack: how to avoid fees, queues and lost luggage

Traveling with only one backpack is an increasingly common choice for passengers who want to avoid additional costs, waiting at counters and the risk that their checked luggage will not arrive at the destination. The travel model that until recently was associated mainly with shorter weekend trips is today becoming a practical strategy for longer stays as well, especially on routes on which airlines are separating the basic ticket price from additional services ever more precisely. In practice, this means that the difference between a free bag under the seat, a larger cabin suitcase and checked luggage is often financially significant, and the decision about luggage is no longer a minor detail that is resolved immediately before departure, but an important part of travel planning.

According to the rules of the International Air Transport Association, the permitted dimensions and weight of hand luggage differ depending on the airline, travel class and type of aircraft. As a general reference, cabin luggage up to 56 x 45 x 25 centimeters is often mentioned, including wheels and handles, but this is not a universal rule that applies to all carriers. Some companies allow only a smaller bag that must fit under the seat, while a larger cabin suitcase is charged through priority boarding, a more expensive fare or a separate surcharge. This is exactly why a backpack that is soft, adaptable and compact enough can be more practical than a hard suitcase, because it fits more easily into strict sizers at the aircraft entrance.

Why one backpack is increasingly replacing a suitcase

The main advantage of traveling with one backpack is not only savings on fees, but also greater control over the entire trip. A passenger who does not check in luggage does not have to arrive earlier because of the suitcase drop-off counter, does not wait at the conveyor belt after landing and does not depend on whether the bag will arrive on the same flight. This is especially important during transfers, late arrivals, short business trips and trips to events where every lost hour matters. If everything that is needed is placed in the backpack, the trip becomes simpler: leaving the airport is faster, and changing transport toward the city or accommodation near the airport is less stressful.

The growing popularity of traveling with minimal luggage is also connected with changes in service charging. With low-cost carriers, it is already common that the most basic ticket includes only a small bag under the seat. Ryanair, according to its own rules, includes in the basic ticket one small personal bag measuring 40 x 30 x 20 centimeters that must fit under the seat. Wizz Air states dimensions of 40 x 30 x 20 centimeters and a maximum weight of 10 kilograms for the free hand bag, while easyJet allows a small cabin bag up to 45 x 36 x 20 centimeters and requires that the passenger can lift and carry it by himself. Croatia Airlines states in the rules for hand luggage one cabin bag and one personal item, but the specific conditions depend on the fare and route, which is why checking before buying the ticket is necessary.

The most common mistake occurs when a passenger is guided by the general impression that a “small backpack” is always acceptable. At airports, the impression is not assessed, but the actual size of the bag in its filled condition. A backpack that looks permitted when empty can become too wide or too deep when sneakers, a jacket, cosmetics and electronics are stuffed into it. It is important to measure the external dimensions of the fully packed bag, and with suitcases and bags with a frame always include handles, wheels and protruding pockets. If the bag does not fit into the sizer, the company can redirect it to the luggage compartment and charge an additional fee according to the rules that apply at the boarding gate.

Rules differ, and changes come quickly

Passengers often assume that there is a single European rule for hand luggage, but the reality is more complex. Airlines determine commercial conditions themselves, while security rules, for example for liquids and prohibited items, are applied through the regulations of airports and competent authorities. From 1 September 2024, the European Commission reintroduced a restriction according to which individual containers of liquids in hand luggage are limited to 100 milliliters, also at airports that use advanced systems for detecting explosives in cabin luggage. This means that the passenger should not rely on the assumption that newer scanners automatically allow larger bottles, because rules can differ depending on the airport, terminal and current implementation of security measures.

For traveling with one backpack, this has very concrete consequences. Cosmetics, medicines, disinfectants, perfumes, gels, pastes and sprays must be planned in advance. The safest approach is to carry small containers, buy part of the consumable products after arrival or rely on what is available in the accommodation. With medicines and medically necessary liquids, the rules should be checked before departure and documentation should be carried if needed. Saving space must not come at the expense of safety or health, but in practice most passengers carry significantly more cosmetics than they actually use during several days of travel.

An additional reason for caution is that the cabin luggage market is constantly changing. Certain large European groups and carriers are testing or introducing fares in which only a personal bag is included in the lowest price, while larger cabin luggage is paid for. Such changes show that a “free suitcase in the cabin” can no longer be considered a secure standard. Before buying a ticket, it is necessary to compare the total price, not only the basic flight price. A cheap ticket can become more expensive than a competing one as soon as a cabin suitcase, seat selection, priority boarding or checked luggage is added.

How to choose a backpack that passes the check

The best backpack for air travel is not necessarily the largest one, but the one that meets the strictest rule on the planned route. If traveling with several carriers, the smallest permitted dimension should be taken as the main measure. Soft backpacks without a rigid structure are often more practical because they can adapt slightly to the space under the seat, but this does not mean that they should be overfilled. A good travel backpack has a wide opening, a separate compartment for a laptop or documents, sturdy shoulder straps, several inner pockets and an external shape that does not expand uncontrollably. Backpacks with too many outer pockets often encourage excessive packing and create a problem with dimensions.

The weight of the empty backpack is also important. If the bag itself weighs two or three kilograms, the passenger loses precious space in the permitted weight. With companies that limit the free bag to 10 kilograms or less, every kilogram of equipment makes sense to count. The most practical backpacks are those that open like a suitcase, because they allow neat arranging of clothes and quick control of contents at the security check. Classic hiking backpacks can be comfortable for walking, but because of their elongated shape, straps and structure they sometimes fit worse with the rules for a bag under the seat.

Traveling with one backpack works especially well when accommodation is chosen so that it reduces the need for additional items. If a washing machine, basic kitchen equipment, iron or hair dryer is available, items that take up space and are used rarely do not need to be placed in the backpack. That is why, when planning, it is useful to check the offer of accommodation with practical amenities for a shorter stay, especially if the trip lasts longer than three or four days. Minimal packing does not mean giving up comfort, but smartly moving part of the needs to services that are already available at the destination.

What is worth carrying, and what to leave at home

The basic rule is: take what can be combined, and leave out what has only one narrow purpose. Clothes in neutral colors, layers that can be worn together and footwear that suits most situations make the difference between a neatly packed backpack and an overcrowded bag. For a shorter trip, two to three tops, one spare lower part, underwear and socks for several days, a light jacket or sweater, basic cosmetics and chargers are often enough. If the trip is business-related or includes a more formal event, it is better to take one carefully selected outfit than several “spare” combinations that will not be used.

The most space is most often taken up by footwear, thick clothes and cosmetic bags. Therefore, the heaviest shoes should be worn, and only a light additional pair should be put into the backpack if it is truly needed. Clothes are better packed in thin organizers or compression bags, but without exaggeration: if compression creates space, it can easily happen that the bag is filled beyond the permitted dimensions. With electronics, duplicating chargers, cables and adapters should be avoided. One quality charger with several outputs and short cables are often enough for a mobile phone, headphones, watch and tablet.

Special attention should be paid to items that are not allowed in the cabin for security reasons. Small knives, larger scissors, tools, certain sports equipment and liquids above the permitted limits can end up being confiscated at control. A passenger traveling only with a backpack has no backup option to move disputed items into checked luggage if a problem occurs at the security check. For that reason, before departure, the rules of the airport and carrier should be checked, especially when traveling with equipment for work, photography, sports or health needs.

The most common mistakes when traveling without a suitcase

The biggest mistake is buying a ticket without reading the luggage conditions. The basic flight price often looks favorable, but only until the passenger’s real needs are added. If a larger cabin suitcase is necessary for a specific route, sometimes it is more cost-effective to immediately buy a fare that includes it than to pay a surcharge later. The second common mistake is relying on experience from a previous flight. The fact that one crew or one airport tolerated a slightly larger backpack does not mean the same will apply on the next flight, especially during periods of major crowds when space in the cabin is limited.

The third mistake is packing “just in case”. Such packing almost always ends with excess clothes and a lack of space for what is truly important. If the weather forecast shows changeable conditions, it is better to take layered clothing than several bulky pieces. If basic necessities can be bought at the destination, there is no point carrying large quantities of products that are cheap and easily available. Traveling with one backpack requires discipline, but not asceticism: the goal is to take enough, not the least possible.

The fourth mistake concerns the arrangement of things in the bag. Documents, medicines, charger, headphones, a small hygiene kit and valuables must be easily accessible. If the entire backpack has to be taken apart for every security check, the trip becomes slower and more nervous. The laptop and liquids should be placed so that they can be quickly removed if security control requests it. In practice, a division into three zones works well: things for control and the flight, clothes for the stay, and small items that are used rarely.

Less luggage also means a lower risk of lost items

Although luggage tracking systems are improving, checked suitcases still carry a certain risk. According to the SITA Baggage IT Insights 2025 report, the rate of mishandled luggage in 2024 fell to 6.3 bags per 1000 passengers, compared with 6.9 a year earlier. This shows progress in the industry, but at the same time means that the problem has not disappeared. SITA states that during 2024, 33.4 million bags were mishandled, and global air traffic reached 5.3 billion passengers. For a passenger who has an important meeting, a medical need, a wedding, a conference or a short holiday, lost or delayed luggage can have consequences that go beyond the value of the suitcase contents themselves.

A backpack that stays with the passenger reduces that risk, but does not eliminate it completely. On full flights, larger cabin bags sometimes end up in the luggage compartment, especially if the passenger boards the aircraft late or if the company’s rules allow moving luggage because of a lack of space. That is why, for traveling without checked luggage, the most reliable option is considered to be a backpack that fits under the seat, not a bag that depends on space in the overhead compartments. All valuable and necessary items must in any case be with the passenger: documents, money, cards, medicines, electronics, keys and basic hygiene should not end up in a bag that staff can take over at the gate.

Less luggage also brings greater mobility after arrival. A passenger with one backpack uses public transport more easily, moves faster through crowds, and enters a café, museum or business space more simply before checking into accommodation. This is important in cities where accommodation can be entered only in the afternoon, while flights often arrive early in the morning. In such situations, one backpack enables a normal continuation of the day without looking for a cloakroom or luggage storage.

A practical packing system for shorter and medium-length trips

For a trip of two to five days, it is enough to plan clothes according to real activities, not according to the number of days. This means that obligations are first listed: flight, walking through the city, dinner, business meeting, beach, hiking or event. Then clothes are chosen that cover several situations. One lower part that can be worn during the day and in the evening is worth more than two pieces that suit only one occasion. T-shirts and shirts made of materials that dry quickly are easier to wash by hand or in the accommodation, which reduces the need for reserves.

For a trip of one week, one backpack can still be enough if washing clothes is planned. In that case, seven outfits are not packed, but three to four well-thought-out combinations. Such an approach works best in urban destinations and on trips where there is no need for specialized equipment. If the trip includes children, sports equipment, formal wardrobe or cold weather conditions, one backpack can become impractical. Then it is better to realistically assess the cost of additional luggage than to risk delays, penalties or uncomfortable carrying of an overly heavy bag.

It is useful to do a trial packing at least one day before departure. The backpack should be filled, closed, measured and weighed. If it already barely fits the permitted dimensions at home, the problem will be bigger on the return because souvenirs, documents, purchased clothes or food are often added. A good rule is to leave ten to fifteen percent of free space. Traveling with one backpack is most pleasant when the bag is not at the limit of endurance, but can be normally opened, closed and carried without effort.

When additional luggage is still worth it

Minimal packing is not the best solution for every situation. If the trip lasts a long time, includes special equipment, requires formal clothing or involves traveling with items that are not allowed in the cabin, the surcharge for luggage can be a reasonable cost. The same applies when the price difference between the basic fare and the fare with luggage is small, and the passenger would have to give up important things because of restrictions. The goal is not to prove that every trip can be completed with one bag, but to avoid unnecessary costs and complications when that is truly feasible.

The best decision is made before buying the ticket. It is necessary to check what is included in the fare, how much it costs to add larger cabin or checked luggage, what the dimensions of the personal bag are and whether there is a difference between buying the add-on in advance and paying at the airport. When traveling with a transfer, the rules of all included carriers should be checked, because the strictest rule can determine the actual choice of bag. If the conditions are unclear, it is more useful to rely on the company’s official pages than on the experiences of other passengers, because rules and enforcement change.

Traveling with one backpack works best as a system: a smaller bag, checked rules, a realistic list of items, smartly chosen accommodation and readiness to resolve part of the needs at the destination. Such an approach reduces costs, speeds up passage through the airport and gives the passenger greater independence from the checked-luggage system. At a time when airline fares are increasingly being separated into a basic service and a series of additional options, a well-packed backpack becomes one of the simplest ways for a trip to remain under control.

Sources:
- IATA – overview of passenger baggage rules and general guidelines for cabin luggage (link)
- European Commission – decision on the temporary restriction of liquids in cabin luggage from 1 September 2024 (link)
- SITA – Baggage IT Insights 2025, data on mishandled luggage and global air traffic in 2024 (link)
- Ryanair – official rules on the small personal bag and additional luggage options (link)
- easyJet – official rules on the small cabin bag that must fit under the seat (link)
- Wizz Air – official rules on the free hand bag and additional cabin luggage (link)
- Croatia Airlines – official rules on hand luggage and personal item (link)