Once the euphoria passes for finally booking that well-deserved holiday, next comes the not-so-fun bit - the dreaded packing. Organisation is key and making use of every inch in your luggage could save you up to £70, simply by swapping hold-luggage for hand-luggage.
It is more than just saving money. Hand-luggage is not prone to getting lost, unlike hold-luggage where suitcases can go missing, sometimes for weeks’ on end. According to the Guardian, the rate of baggage mishandled across the world has risen by 24% last year.
This equates to eight suitcases per 1,000 international passengers not arriving on time. To help sun-seekers avoid forking out on baggage that might not even make it to its destination, a new pack hack revealed by On the Beach shows how holidaymakers could save up to £70 per person every time they jet off abroad by ditching their suitcases, for free-of-charge carry-on bags.
On the Beach worked with organisation expert, Sophie Liard, aka The Folding Lady, to show how travellers can fit the “maximum” amount into the Ryanair’s free hand-luggage allowance - the smallest free baggage allowance across the airlines.
Using a combination of a small approved carry-on bag and an empty neck pillow which is classed as a personal item, The Folding Lady demonstrated how to pack one week’s worth of outfits and holiday essentials into a free-of-charge cabin baggage allowance, including a bikini for each day of the week.
Here are top packing tips that will ensure you make the most of your hand-luggage space
Think ahead and plan your outfits for the week
Planning outfits beforehand will give a big leg up in making sure you don’t overpack. Start to think about what you want to wear, outfits you can mix and match and events you’re going to attend a few months’ before the trip to allow for any holiday essentials shopping.
Accessories are key; a simple belt can give an outfit a whole new lease of life. Be savvy with what you leave behind and pack essentials first which will allow you to see what space you really have left for those bonus items.
Make peace with crease
Creasing is unavoidable when it comes to packing, so be prepared for crinkled material. The fabric that creases the most is linen, however it is also one of the most breathable when in sunnier climes.
To avoid all worries at the packing stage, make sure that your accommodation has access to an iron or steamer. This information is usually found on your destination hotel website.
Packing cubes will keep you organised and make best use of space
Little zip-up cubes that compress clothing are a great way to ensure optimum use of limited space. Organise them by clothing style, by outfit or by person, the list is endless.
You can even transfer them straight from your luggage to your drawer when you arrive at your hotel.
Cram more clothes into a soft suitcase
Using a soft suitcase allows you to get into all the nooks and crannies, something you would not be able to do with a structured suitcase. Pockets in a soft suitcase will also allow you to maximise packing space whilst keeping your packing organised.
Stuffed travel pillow with a difference
A travel pillow counts as a personal item, so use it wisely for extra packing space. Remove the stuffing from your travel pillow and cram in smaller items such as underwear and socks instead.
Fold or roll
Fold blazers, jackets and embellished clothes. Roll thicker items such as dresses, which are more sturdier and can withstand being tightly folded.
Do laundry on holiday
If your hotel offers all-inclusive laundry, it may be an option to get it done whilst you’re on holiday. That way you’re saving money on energy bills back home and you don’t have to worry about washing when you return home either.
Discussing the bugbear of luggage allowances, Sophie Liard, aka The Folding Lady, said: “Packing for holiday can often feel like the most stressful part of travelling, especially if you’re an overpacker. With spiking luggage allowance costs and widespread checked-baggage chaos, now is the time to minimise packing by taking hand-luggage only.
"It may seem next to impossible to pack all your clothing for a week-long trip into hand-luggage, but I’ve shown that this doesn’t have to be the case.”
Speaking about swapping hand-luggage for hold-luggage, Zoe Harris, Chief Customer Officer at On the Beach, said: “We are always trying to give you ‘more holiday’ and this includes side-stepping those extortionate baggage fees that certain airlines insist customers pay for their luggage. Hopefully this clever hack helps customers save the pennies for their trip, giving the added bonus extra cash to put towards next year’s break or even spend on beachside cocktails.”
On the beach are offering their customers a free neck pillow. Email pack.hack@onthebeach.co.uk, share your On the Beach MYB number and the holiday specialists will post one out to you.
Travel pillows are available on a first-come-first-served basis, offer available until October 31, 2022. For more information about On the Beach’s offers for autumn 2022, head to www.onthebeach.co.uk.
