Baggage guide
How to avoid overweight luggage fees
The easiest time to solve an overweight suitcase is at home. A few checks before departure can prevent rushed repacking, discarded items, and unexpected airport charges.
Confirm the allowance for your exact booking
Do not rely on a general memory of the airline's rules. Open the booking confirmation and check the number of bags, weight allowance, size limits, and whether allowances can be combined between passengers. Rules can differ by route, fare, and purchased extras.
Weigh luggage correctly at home
Use a luggage scale on a packed and fully closed bag. Lift steadily until the reading settles, then repeat the measurement. Allow a sensible margin because scales and packing can vary.
Remove weight in the right order
- Remove duplicate clothing and unnecessary shoes first.
- Replace full-size toiletries with suitable travel sizes.
- Wear the heaviest practical shoes and outer layer during travel.
- Move permitted items between bags only when each bag remains within its allowance.
- Never move prohibited or restricted items into cabin luggage.
Plan for the return journey
Souvenirs, shopping, damp clothing, and leftover toiletries can make the return bag heavier. Record the outbound weight, keep the scale with you, and leave some unused allowance when you expect to bring items home.
Do compression bags reduce weight?
Compression bags reduce volume, not weight. They can make it easier to accidentally exceed a weight allowance because more clothing fits inside the case. Use them for organisation and space, then weigh the finished bag.
For bag dimensions and wheel choices, read the cabin luggage comparison guide. Ryanair passengers can also use the Ryanair cabin bag guide.