Checking a bag is never fun. Not only do you have to usually pay a fee, but then you have to wait to get your luggage after your flight has reached its destination. In many instances, you don’t have to check your luggage…even if you are flying with children! The next time you fly, utilize the following tips so you only have to use a carry-on, even with children in tow.
Take Advantage Of Little Hands
Carry-on policies aren’t just meant for adults. Kids can bring their very own carry-ons. This means more available luggage to pack items. Take advantage of this and pack a backpack full of your kid’s clothes and light travel items that they can carry.
Pack The Right Amount Of Clothes
There’s a good chance that you won’t even wear some of your items or that your children will want to re-wear some of their favorite clothes. Because of this, opt for the less is more approach. Instead of packing a couple of outfits to wear each day, consider packing one shirt for each day and a pair of shorts or jeans that you can wear for two days. This will save you a lot of space and allow you room to pack other essentials like items to entertain your kids on the plane.
Wear Some Of Your Items
Mail Back Souvenirs
One of the biggest problems I have when traveling is that I buy too many souvenirs to fit in my carry-on on the way home. One way I combat this is to actually mail back my souvenirs. Sure, it does cost a little bit of money, but for usually less than $20 I can mail back items that I can’t fit in my luggage and I don’t have to deal with checking a bag. Plus, it’s always fun for the kids to get a package once we have gotten home.
Most of the time you can get away with just using carry-ons. However, if you are planning something like a 2-week vacation to Europe, you probably will have to check a bag or two. Make sure you find out if there is a checked bag fee and the maximum measurements of allowed carry-ons beforehand so that there are no surprises at the airport.
