How a family-of-four going on a week-long holiday can ditch the suitcases and pack everything into hand-luggage
THERE is a real buzz when you source a bargain holiday, especially when times are tough, financially.
But once you factor in the hidden extras, it could end up a different story.
From seat-selection charges to pricey on-board snacks and airport parking, costs add up.
Yet it’s baggage fees that really sting.
Like other parents, I’ve tried to save on a family holiday by using overhead cabin bags but budget airlines now hit you for these.
So, for a week’s holiday with husband Thom, and kids Ralph, seven, and four-year-old Max, flying to Morocco with Ryanair, I decided to pack savvy in a bid to beat the system.
I allowed each family member just one free carry-on bag to fit under the seat in front of them.
I wanted to avoid Ryanair’s charges of up to £239.96 for two 20kg checked bags each way — plus fines if you exceed the weight limits.
Spanish authorities last month fined Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling and Volotea £128million for what they called “abusive” charges for hand-luggage.
But airlines are refusing to back down over their fees.
The only way to avoid them is to restrict yourself to their free limits.
So could I cram everything my family needed for our break into just those four small bags? Here’s how I got on . . .
PREPARATION
RYANAIR has the strictest under-seat allowance of the leading airlines, so I invested in four £18 backpacks from Amazon that complied with the airline’s 40x20x25cm limit.
I listed travel essentials for each member of the family, with a “two wears minimum” rule for clothes.
This meant undies too, so I added a 100ml tube of Dr Beckmann Travel Wash (£1.25, Asda) to my pile.
I chose lighter fabrics and multi-tasking items, such as a black swimsuit that doubles up as a top worn with a skirt or trousers.
I also restricted my colour palette to black, white and blue, plus one pink top and a red dress for fun.
Toiletries were a challenge.
I decanted creams into tester tubs I had saved, bought cheap refillable pouches for shampoo, suncream and shower gel, and a 100ml Soltan SPF50+ 100ml suncare mist, (£5, Boots) which was quite pricey.
PACKING
WITH four piles laid out, I set about filling the bags, starting with shoes.
I’d restricted us to one pair of flip flops per adult plus trainers for the flight.
The kids had Crocs, which I stuffed with smaller items like socks.
I rolled up clothes to reduce creases, and split washbags with toiletries between the four backpacks.
Next up were some items for entertainment.
Thom has a Kindle, but I prefer a real book and it pained me to select just one.
The kids each chose some small toys, such as a car, dinosaur and Rubik’s cube.
The children also shared an iPad and Switch console.
They love to swim, too, but rubber rings were not an option — you can never deflate them enough — so I took Max’s floats.
They are bulky, but last year, his inflatable armbands split in the heat.
Another trick was to stuff my crossbody bag (£14.90, Uniqlo) with underwear, bikini, hair clip and jewellery.
Oh, and I squeezed hair straighteners into my backpack — that was a non-negotiable.
Last but not least were a mini first-aid kit with plasters, passports, currency and Yorkshire Tea.
When the zips all closed without fuss, I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
VERDICT
I THOUGHT this was going to be hell on earth, but the limited space made packing EASIER because you have to be ruthless.
Yes, I had to forgo my nice sandals for the evening and wanted more books, but how often do you come back with a case of half-unworn clothes anyway?
People who rely on their hairdryer would struggle and beach towels aren’t an option, but even parents travelling with babies could give this a go.
Simply put your free checked car seat or pushchair in a travel bag and stuff it with nappies and other bulky essentials.
The main downside was sun cream, if you are bound by the 100ml limit.
The mini bottles are expensive and wasteful – I would pick a larger one up after airport security next time.
I could afford it, thanks to my luggage charge savings.
AIRLINES’ LUGGAGE COSTS EXPLAINED
Ryanair
- One cabin bag (40x20x25cm) per person for free
- £6-£38 to add 10kg overhead bag (55x40x20cm) and priority boarding per person, per flight
- £11.99-£35.99 per 10kg checked bag
- £18.99-£59.99 per 20kg checked bag (max 3 a booking)
- £9-£11 per kilo fine for overweight bags
- Two items of baby equipment free per child (one pushchair plus one other, such as cot)
- Infants under two years travelling on a lap are allowed a 5kg baby bag (45x35x20cm)
Easyjet
- One cabin bag (45x36x20cm) of 15kg per person, free
- From £5.99 to add 15kg bag (56x45x25cm) plus speedy boarding per person, per flight
- From £6.99 per 15kg checked bag
- From £9.49 per 23kg checked bag
- £12 per kilo fine for overweight bags
- Two items of baby equipment free per child (pushchair, car seat, travel cot or back carrier)
- Infants under two years travelling on a lap are allowed a baby bag (45x36x20cm)
Wizz Air
- One cabin bag (40x30x20cm) of 10kg per person for free
- £8.94-£53.65 to add 10kg overhead bag (55x40x23cm) plus priority boarding, per person, per flight
- £10.73-£68.85 per 10kg checked bag
- £13.86-£88.97 per 20kg checked bag
- £21.46-£92.10 per 26kg checked bag
- £18.33-£93.89 per 32kg checked bag
- One pushchair per child for free, plus extra personal item (40x30x20cm)
WHAT’S IN THE BAGS
ALEX:
- Shorts x 2, trousers x 2, tops x 4, dress, jumpsuit, long skirt, denim shirt
- Underwear – bras x 2, pants x 4, Socks x 2
- Swimsuit and bikini
- Flip flops
- Sunglasses
- Jewellery
- Book
- Shoulder bag
- Toiletries – shampoo, moisturiser, face wash, razor, body cream, deodorant, make-up remover
- Make-up – eye palette, mascara, eye liner, lip colour, concealer
- Hairbrush and hair straighteners
- Electric toothbrush
THOM
- Shorts x 3, T-shirts x 4, Swimming trunks x 2,
- Boxer shorts x4
- Socks x 3
- Flip flops
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries – deodorant, moisturiser, shower gel, suncream, face suncream, toothpaste (for four)
- Electric toothbrush, electric razor
- Kindle
KIDS’ BAGS
- Shorts x 4, T-shirts x 4, swimming trunks x 2, jeans
- Swim top and swimming float for Max
- Crocs
- Electronic device (iPad/Switch) and headphones,
- Books, colouring and small toys
- Toothbrush
EXTRAS
- Plug adaptors
- Passports
- Currency
- Teabags
- Water bottles
- Battery packs
- First aid kit with wipes
- Travel laundry wash
- Calpol sachets
WHAT I HAD TO LEAVE AT HOME
Beach towels, inflatable rubber rings, hairdryer, large sun cream.
ALEX’S TOP PACKING TIPS
HERE are Alex’s top packing hacks:
ROLL WITH IT: Use a rolling technique to pack without creasing, grouping things like tops and shorts together
MAXIMISE MULTI-TASKERS: Choose toiletries and clothes that have several uses, like a sarong or a travel soap which is suitable for washing hair, skin and clothes.
LOVE LAYERS: Opt for lightweight fabrics and things which you can layer up when it’s chilly, such as a denim shirt or thin jumper.
STUFF IT: Utilise every inch of space by stuffing shoes, smaller bags and extra pockets.
WEAR THE WEIGHT: Dress in heavier clothing for the flight, like trainers, hoodies, hats and coats (and make use of pockets).
TINY TOYS: Give kids a small pouch and challenge them to find mini toys, like cars, card games and pencils to keep them busy.
CALL AHEAD: Find out whether your accommodation provides beach towels, toiletries or toys to save taking your own.