Checked Luggage vs. Carry-On: Making the Right Choice for Hassle-Free Travel

For first-time travelers, one of the most daunting decisions can be deciding whether to check your luggage or carry it on. Both options have their pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh all of the factors before making a decision, this is literally all your stuff after all. Keep reading for a helpful overview of the constant battle between checking luggage versus carrying on.

Checking Luggage

The first option is to check your luggage. Checking your luggage means that you won’t have to lug your heavy bags around the airport or onto the plane. It also frees up your hands so you can enjoy some pre-flight shopping or grab a bite to eat before boarding. It is just generally less stressful overall for those who get easily overwhelmed.

However, there are some downsides to checking your luggage. First and foremost, you run the risk of your luggage getting lost or delayed. This is especially true if you’re flying during peak travel times like holidays or summer vacation. This has been a very common occurrence recently as flights are booked solid and airline employees are under valued and over worked. You will also have to wait at baggage claim for your luggage to be unloaded onto the carousel which I find incredibly annoying. Additionally, there are often fees associated with checked baggage unless you have some kind of loyalty with that airline or book business/first class, so that’s something to keep in mind when budgeting for your trip.

Most airlines checked bag weight limit is 50 lbs (22.6kg) to avoid additional fees. Some airlines will allow 70 lbs (31kg) without additional fees depending on what ticket you book and what your loyalty status is. These fees can get pretty pricey so I recommend weighing your luggage before checking it in and splitting it into two if you need to. Most airlines will also not accept luggage period that weighs more than 70-80 lbs (31-36kg). Check with your airlines before booking to make sure you don’t get in a jam at the very last minute.

Carrying On

If you decide not to check your luggage, you’ll need to carry it on the plane with you. Carrying on has a number of advantages – chief among them being that you won’t have to worry about lost or delayed baggage, you know where your stuff is at all times. You can zoom straight out of the airport without having to wait who knows how long at baggage claim. Additionally, you won’t have to pay any checked baggage fees. Personally, I NEVER check bags because (in my opinion) the stress of not being in control of my stuff far outweighs the annoyance of bringing my bag through every corner of the airport with me.

Of course, carrying on does have its drawbacks. First and foremost, you’ll have to lug your heavy bags through the airport and onto the plane. This can be tough, particularly if you’re traveling solo. Additionally, there are size restrictions for carry-on bags, so if you have large or bulky items, they may not be able to come with you on the plane. If you are traveling to a chillier destination and you cannot wear all of your bulky items you may need to check your bags but you will be surprised what you can fit in a 21 inch suitcase.

The nearly universal size limits are just under 22 x 14 x 9 inches (55 x 35 x 22 cm). I personally have a 21 inch (53cm) SwissGear roller bag that fits in every single plane from a A319 to an A380. Some airlines will be sticklers but I will always look at the plane I am traveling on and know whether by bag fits or not and she always does. She may look a little think but she gets in those overhead bins no problem. This is the bag I have and I love it. I also much prefer a soft bag to a hard bag, just personal preference and I can squeeze more in.

There is no “right” answer when it comes to deciding between checking your luggage or carrying it on – it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and the situation. If you don’t mind lugging around a bag and want to avoid checked baggage fees, carrying on might be the best option for you. However, if you prefer the convenience of not having to be tied to your bags during all stages of travel, checking your luggage might be a better choice. Whichever option you choose, make sure to do your research ahead of time so there are no surprises at the airport!