Carry-On vs Checked Luggage Pros and Cons You Should Know

Travelling by air provides convenience and speed when you need it. However, one aspect of air travel that is often considered tedious and time-consuming is packing bags for carry-on and checked luggage. If you are only travelling for a short trip, you may not need to pack an extremely large suitcase. It will make sense to travel light in this situation. In this case, you have an option to travel light and go with carry-on luggage or pack a heavier check luggage bag, which may cost extra. 

If you need help making this decision, this blog post will help you learn the difference between checked and carry-on luggage and help you make an informed decision as to which will work better for you.

Carry-On vs Checked Luggage: Pros and Cons You Should Know

Carry-on luggage usually comprises a 7-kilogram bag and a small bag or item that will be brought onto the plane with you. On the other hand, checked luggage is a heavier set of bags usually capped at a 25 kg limit that will be checked into the cargo hold. 

Airline Baggage Fees

Depending on the type of flight you have (one-way or return), you may or may not need to pay extra for your baggage, especially if you need to get excess checked luggage. Most airlines charge a $35 fee for the first checked bag and $45 for a second one. It also pays to weigh your bags in advance, as airlines usually charge for overweight bags.

Considerations to Make

Should you be torn between taking a carry-on bag or a checked one, here are the considerations you should make to help reach a good decision. 

1 - Length of Stay

The first thing you should think about is how many things you will need for your trip. If you are only going away for a few nights, it may be a good idea to pack an overnight bag that can be brought as a carry-on.

2 - Size of Your Bag

How big is your bag? Will you be able to fit everything you need in that bag? It is best to use a smaller bag when you are only going to take a few things and a larger bag if you plan to pack for more than a few days. 

3 - Do You Hate Waiting in Lines?

Usually, waiting in line to check in your luggage is the bane of existence for most commuters. Packing a carry-on bag will help you avoid waiting in line. 

4 - How Far Are You Travelling?

Most of the time, long haul flights will include an allotment of checked luggage for free with the ticket you paid for. However, for short-haul flights, usually, only the carry-on will be given free of charge. 

Conclusion

We hope that after reading this article, you will be in a better position to decide whether you want to take a carry-on or pack a bigger bag. Both carry-on-only and checked luggage travel have their ups and downs. Considering the pros and cons of each will come in handy to make the right decision.

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