Do you want to take just one small suitcase on your next trip? So check out all these tips for hand luggage, with suggestions on what to take, what the correct dimensions are and much more!
I've already told you in several posts here on the blog and in some videos on the YouTube channel that I always I had to carry a lot of things in my suitcase. He was totally the type of person I'd rather take more than to leave something missing and, therefore, I often took a full suitcase or even two.
After a while, however, I realized that this wasn't very practical. Firstly, from leaving home until arriving at my hotel, I was responsible for all my bags, and it's difficult to walk around carrying two 32kg suitcases or one large suitcase and one smaller suitcase.
Secondly, after a few years of traveling, Brazilian airlines started charging for checked baggage. And I, who took a lot of flights to see friends and relatives in other states, absolutely didn't want to pay R$60 more for each flight.
With all of this, after five long years and many travel difficulties, I finally managed to stop carrying two suitcases and finally travel with just a carry-on suitcase (which sometimes, depending on the destination, is nothing more than a backpack). And, like everything that involves travel, venturing around the world in this way has its tricks, both in terms of organization and knowing what to take and how to make everything fit in a mini suitcase and stay below the allowed 10kg.
In this post, I will give you all the tips for hand luggage. Since what you can to take and what dimensions are allowed, and even tips for being able to travel with only this piece.
Are you going to check your suitcase? Don't worry, I'm sure this post will help you and answer some of your questions about hand luggage! 🙂
Let's start with some frequently asked questions on the subject:
Is everyone entitled to carry hand luggage?
Depends. Some airlines in other countries, both low-cost and standard, have already started charging for carry-on bags. When purchasing your ticket, check whether your fare includes this baggage.
In Brazil, passengers are usually entitled to take one hand luggage, with the minimum allowance being 10kg.. It is worth remembering that, if the flight is full, your luggage may have to be checked in as there may be no space in the overhead compartment to accommodate it. With that in mind, remember to always put a padlock on your suitcase even if you don't intend to check it.
What are the permitted dimensions for a carry-on suitcase?
there is no lei forcing airlines to accept one size of cabin baggage. Even so, Brazilian airlines adopted a standard of 55cm in height, 35cm in width and 25cm in length, including the wheels and handles. If you are going to use a different item, such as a backpack or purse, make sure they also fit within these measurements.
If you are looking for a new carry-on suitcase, pay attention to the allowed measurements. The best-known brands, such as Samsonite, already place a “cabin luggage” to indicate that the bag is the correct size for the cabin.
What not Can you take it in hand luggage?
In general, sharp objects, weapons and chemical or explosive substances are not permitted. On the ANAC website you can check the complete list of objects that cannot go in your cabin bag.
Now talking about national and international flights. On flights within Brazil, apart from the above restrictions, you can take liquids, food and that kind of thing that usually causes doubts. For international flights, liquids above 100ml are restricted. This means that if you are going to travel only With hand luggage, you need to put shampoo, conditioner, etc. in smaller bottles. If you are checking luggage, you can put these items in your suitcase normally.
Otherwise, you can pack your suitcase normally with whatever you need on your trip. Medications such as insulin and baby food can also be taken, but must be presented on the X-ray.
It is also worth remembering that you can board with natural foods, such as fruit, but many countries restrict you from passing through immigration with them, and may even be subject to a fine. The same doesn't happen with processed foods, so instead of an apple it's safer to take a chocolate, lol.
What must go in hand luggage?
If you're just taking your hand luggage, the answer is everything, lol.
Jokes aside, if you are going to check luggage, there are still items that should go in your hand luggage. Valuables such as electronics, jewelry, documents and even cash should always go with you. Also, bring a change of clothes, in case your luggage is lost along the way.
I want to leave a recommendation, however, which is useful for those who only carry a carry-on suitcase or several suitcases: leave luggage for clothes, shoes and other clothing items, and take electronics and other valuable items in a backpack or purse, which it should go under the seat in front of you. So, if you are forced to check your carry-on bag due to lack of space in the aircraft's overhead compartment, or if someone touches your bags without supervision (it happens), you won't have any problems and your things will be safe.
See this post for more tips or that take it in your suitcase.
Tips for traveling with just your hand luggage
Ok, let's assume you are a person who always travels with checked luggage but wants to change that habit. You even try to take a small suitcase, but every time you put your items there is no space or you exceed the weight limit.
Sounds familiar? Don't worry, traveling lighter is a process and takes a few tries until you get the hang of it. Even so, there are some tricks that can help you get to this stage faster:
1 – Take less things
I know, this is the most obvious tip in the universe… And of course, if you could get take less stuff so you don't have to check luggage, you wouldn't even need to be reading this post.
My suggestion, in addition to trying to reduce the number of clothes you wear by opting for neutral tones and pieces and taking items that match each other, is to do a little exercise at the end of each trip. When unpacking your suitcase (and it has to be soon, don't leave it to do it a month later), write down which items you took and not used.
You'll notice that, in general, we wear our favorite clothes or those that are most practical at our destination several times, and some items don't even make it out of the suitcase. On your next trip, try taking none or just a portion of them. In some time, you will understand what really wear when you're traveling, and what can stay in your closet.
2 – Use the heaviest parts on the plane
Useful especially when you are going to a destination where it is cold, and you need to pack heavy coats in your suitcase. Wear heavier items on the plane instead of taking up space in your suitcase with them.
It’s worth wearing boots, a coat and even a scarf. This way, in addition to your luggage being lighter, you certainly won't get cold on the plane, and you can even use these items as a blanket or pillow to make yourself more comfortable.
3 – Put your liquids in smaller containers
If you are going on an international trip, this step is mandatory, as packages of more than 100ml are not allowed in hand luggage. When traveling domestically, however, it's worth using the same technique to make your suitcase lighter.
You can buy these packs from Amazon that are perfect for travel, or even those sold in stores for R$1,99 or R$10.
Other tricks for liquids, if you don't need a whole package, is to put the contents in straws and seal the ends with adhesive tape, only opening them when you are going to use the product and then closing them again. For creams, you can use contact lens packaging (I use it a lot to take foundation on small trips).
4 – Make smart substitutions
This tip applies to both clothes, accessories and hygiene items. Instead of carrying countless heavy coats to withstand the cold, just take a neutral one and invest in scarves and hats, which are smaller and lighter, to vary the look.
If you need to use a hairdryer and straightener, only take the second item and prioritize hotels that have a hairdryer. If you use an electric shaver, try switching to a straight razor for a few days. If you're in a group, it's worth sharing hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner and liquid soap, so everyone's bags are lighter.
And there you have it, all the hand luggage tips for you to use on your next trip!
Do you think something was missing? Do you have a cool tip? Leave it in the comments! 🙂