Travelling with hand luggage only is a skill worth mastering if you like to head off on holiday at a moment's notice. It has loads of benefits, like saving on checked baggage fees and avoiding the hassle of lost luggage. This guide will give you practical tips to pack everything you need into a single carry-on bag, making your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Choosing your cabin bag wisely

Being clever when choosing your cabin bag makes packing light a lot easier. Shop around to try and find the biggest bag for your airline's hand baggage rules. You can find this on their website, but Skyscanner have also created a cabin luggage size guide. Jet2 has the largest cabin bag dimensions (56x45x25cm) in the listed airlines, while Norwegian Air has the smallest underseat bag option (30x20x38cm).

Some airlines will also add a weight limit on cabin bags, so that's one to watch out for when planning what to pack. If your airline has a weight limit, soft bags rather than hard cases are usually lighter, so you'll have more room for your clothes and belongings.

Learn how to pack light

Deciding what to pack when you're travelling with hand luggage only can be tricky. Try to think practically about what you'll be doing on your trip, so that you don't pack outfits or clothes that you won't wear. If you're planning to do long walks or hikes, then you probably won't need to pack your favourite pair of evening shoes.

If you're not sure whether you'll need to take a heavy jacket or shoes, then wearing your largest item to the airport means you'll save space in your suitcase.

To fold or to roll? You might think folding your clothes neatly will help make the most of your space in your carry-on, but rolling your clothes can often be even more space-saving. This can be useful when you have awkward space to fill in your case. If you roll your clothes, you might need to iron them before wearing. So it's worth checking with your hotel or apartment has an iron.

Make sure you keep the essentials to hand

If it's going to be a while before you can unpack, then keeping your essential items where you can find them quickly can make travelling light a lot easier. Think about what you might need between the airport and where you're staying. This could include:

• Passport and other travel documents
• Any medication you need and your prescription or doctor's letter
• Purse or wallet
• Phone and charger
• Headphones
• Tablets and chargers

Navigating airport security when you have hand luggage

If you're travelling with hand luggage only, then getting through the airport can be much smoother, as you don't have to check in your bag. But security rules means you can only take one clear bag of 100ml liquids, so keep this in mind when packing your toiletries.

If in doubt, you can buy full-sized toiletries once you're past security, or when you reach your destination.

Things to leave at home

When you're packing light, some things are best left at home if you can.

• Try and only take the jewellery you can wear on the journey. This will save space and give you less to worry about losing.
• Who wants to wear uncomfortable shoes when you’re sightseeing? Keep your shoe options light, which will maximise the space in your suitcase.
• In the digital age, you can find out anything you need to know about your destination online, so don’t be tempted to take up valuable space in your suitcase with guidebooks. Most hotels or apartments will usually have some there for you to browse.
• Almost all hotels and apartments will have hairdryers. You can save a lot of room in your bag if you leave the hairdryer at home.
• If you’re staying in an apartment, check if there’s a washing machine you can use. Washing your clothes while you’re away can cut down the amount you have to pack in the first place. 

And don't forget your travel insurance

This is one that won't weigh down your suitcase. Simply sort your travel insurance before you go and get peace of mind that you'll be covered if things don't go to plan. You can compare travel insurance quotes using our price comparison to find the best value cover that fits in with your travelling plans.

By Mikaela Bartlett

Mikaela Bartlett is SEO Editor at PayingTooMuch. She loves to explore places off the beaten path and sharing tips to make travel as easy and cost-effective as possible.

Accessibility needs shouldn't stop you exploring the world. But it can be confusing working out how to travel with reduced mobility through airports and what support is out there. Things to consider include:

• How to get assisted travel
• Whether you're 'fit to fly'
• What type of medical equipment you can take on a plane
• Where to go when you arrive at the airport
• What happens when you arrive at your destination

This guide will explore all of the above so you can plan your next adventure with all the information you need.

How do I get assisted travel at the airport?

Assisted travel or special assistance is available for all UK and EU-registered airlines. They’ll help you get from A to B when long distances through airport terminals aren’t manageable on your own. 

You can arrange this through your airline or travel agent who will pass it onto the airport you’re travelling to. This has to be requested at least 48 hours before you fly, but it’s a good idea to get your travel arrangements sorted once you book your flights. 

Some airports have more services and facilities available than others. You can find these in the UK Airport Index.

Do I need a ‘fit to fly’ certificate?

When you book assisted travel, you might be asked whether you are fit to fly. This will usually be general questions about your condition. 

Sometimes the airline will need more information about your condition and how flying might affect it. In these cases they may request a ‘fit to fly’ certificate or letter from your doctor to confirm it’s safe for you to travel. 

If you’re travelling with a medical condition, it’s always important to make sure you have the right level of cover in place with medical travel insurance. This will help reassure you that you’re covered if you need it.

What kind of medical equipment and mobility aids can I take?

If you need to take medical equipment or mobility aids on the plane, it’s a good idea to check with the airline before you book your flights. Airlines have different rules around medical equipment, including:

• Electric wheelchairs
• Mobility scooters
• Oxygen

This is normally because airlines will have to check the size and weight limits are safe for the aircraft. If you are thinking of taking your own oxygen cylinders, contact the manufacturer to check whether they allow their equipment to be taken out of the UK. If they don’t, you can take portable concentrators or use oxygen provided by the airline, which you’ll have to book in advance.

Where should I go when I arrive at the airport?

Your assisted travel can start from the moment you arrive at the airport. Most terminals will have touch points on arrival where you can let them know you have booked special assistance. You’ll then be supported throughout the airport and plane, including assistance with:

• Check-in
• Luggage
• Security
• Boarding
• Getting off the plane

What happens when I arrive at my destination?

If you travel with a wheelchair or mobility aid, this will be given back to you at the arrival gate. The level of assistance may vary between airports, but you’ll often be able to get extra help through:

• Passport control
• Baggage reclaim
• To the car park, or public transport stations

Travelling with a disability, or reduced mobility, doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By preparing the airline with all the information they might need, you’ll be able to jet off on your next adventure with the right help in hand. 

By Mikaela Bartlett

Mikaela Bartlett is SEO Editor at PayingTooMuch. She loves to explore places off the beaten path and sharing tips to make travel as easy and cost-effective as possible.

Mediterranean beaches and European capital cities are once again busy with English tourists, thanks to the FCO giving exemptions to approximately 70 countries from the “all but essential” travel advice.

Here at PayingTooMuch.com we’ve been working hard with our panel of insurers to get coronavirus cancellation cover built in to new products. We’re delighted to announce that as of 9th July you can now purchase this option from a few insurers, with more being added each week.

What’s included as standard?

Provided you left the UK whilst the FCO advice did not advise against travel, all our policies will cover your medical and repatriation expenses should you contract coronavirus whilst abroad.

None of our travel insurance policies will cover you if you are travelling against government or FCO advice.

COVID-19 Cancellation Cover – what’s included?

Check the specific wording of your policy before purchasing as there may be some subtle differences between each provider. However, generally, COVID-19 cancellation cover provides a refund on accommodation and travel costs in the event of:

• You, or anyone on the policy, or any person you have arranged to stay with during your trip receives a diagnosis of coronavirus within 14 days prior the start of the trip
• You, or anyone on the policy, is admitted to hospital due to coronavirus within 28 days of the start of the trip
• Your accommodation being required to close after you have checked in because of you, a guest or employee being diagnosed with coronavirus
• You, or anyone on the policy, being denied boarding following either a coronavirus diagnosis or a temperature test, or other medical test reading, which falls outside of the transport provider’s terms of travel

A positive NHS antigen test will be required by the insurer as confirmation if making a cancellation claim. If you are denied boarding as a result of coronavirus you must have documented proof of this from the airline.

What’s not included?

Claims will be denied in the following circumstances:

• if you, your travel companion or close relative had symptoms associated with coronavirus at the time of booking the trip or the travel insurance

• if you or your travel companion or close relative are awaiting results after undertaking a coronavirus test or had tested positive within the 15 days prior to booking your trip

How to buy Covid-19 cover?

When browsing the PayingTooMuch.com travel insurance results page you’ll see a tick or a cross next to ‘COVID-19 Cancellation Cover’. This indicates whether each policy includes the new COVID-19 cancellation cover.

Clicking on the ‘Policy Wording’ link will bring up the policy document containing all the terms and conditions.

How much does it cost?

A single trip policy with COVID-19 Cancellation can be purchased one year before the date of travel. The cost will generally be higher if booked well in advance due to the length of cover being longer, and risk of cancellation being higher.  

Purchasing insurance closer to the date of travel may be cheaper, but you are leaving yourself uninsured for a period of time.

Does my existing policy include COVID-19 Cancellation Cover? 

Only selected policies purchased after 9^th July will have COVID-19 cancellation cover included. All other products purchased before this date will still provide you with medical and repatriation cover should you catch the virus whilst travelling.

All travel insurance policies have a 14-day cooling off period after purchase. Within this time, you can cancel and receive a full refund. So, if you have purchased your policy within the last 14-days but wish to cancel and re-buy a new policy with COVID-19 Cancellation cover, simply call us on 01243 784000 and we’ll be happy to help.

Can I travel whilst in lockdown?

If you are unfortunate enough to live in an area of the country which is currently in lockdown, such as Leicester, you’ll be travelling against government advice, and therefore uninsured.

What if FCO advice changes?

You will also be uninsured if the Foreign and Commonwealth Office removes the country you are travelling to from the list of exempted countries due to coronavirus, before you travel. In both cases, you will be unable to claim on your travel insurance for cancellation.

If the FCO advice changes due to non-coronavirus related issues you will still be able to make a claim for a refund.

More information

If you need more information the best place to start is the policy wording document available from each insurer. If you have any outstanding questions, give our team a call on 01243 784000.