Carry-On Only: How Backpackers Avoid Budget Airline Fees
A cheap headline fare can stop being cheap at the checkout. Budget airlines make much of their money from extras, and baggage is the biggest. Travelling with only a carry-on is the simplest way to keep a low fare low, and it makes airports, buses and hostels easier too.
The fees that turn a cheap fare into an expensive one
- Checked bag fees. Often much cheaper when added at booking than at the airport.
- Cabin bag fees. Some budget airlines include only a small personal item in the base fare, and charge extra for a standard carry-on or priority boarding that guarantees overhead space.
- Airport check-in fees. Some airlines charge if you don't check in online within a set window, and may charge to print a boarding pass.
- Seat selection and "priority" add-ons that are offered repeatedly during booking.
- Payment fees. Some carriers charge extra for certain cards.
The practical advice: compare the full cost of the fare with the bag you actually need, not the headline price. A fare that looks €20 cheaper can end up costing more once bags are added. Our flight finder opens searches on several comparison sites, so you can check totals before you choose.
Know the size and weight rules before you book
Cabin bag limits differ by airline and even by fare type, and they're strictly enforced on many budget carriers. Check the airline's own baggage page for the exact maximum dimensions, any weight limit and what the included "personal item" size is. Measure and weigh your bag at home, because a gate agent's sizer doesn't care that it was "almost" within the limit. If you'll fly several airlines on one trip, size your bag for the strictest one.
What to pack in a carry-on backpack
- Clothes you can mix and match. Choose a small colour palette, quick-dry fabrics, and wear your bulkiest items on the plane.
- Laundry plan. Pack for about a week and wash as you go: a sink, a travel wash and a hostel laundry go a long way.
- Liquids in small bottles. Cabin liquid limits apply in many countries, and solid toiletries (shampoo bars, solid deodorant) save space.
- Tech in one pouch so you can grab it at security: phone, charger, universal adapter, power bank (check airline rules, as power banks usually must be carried in the cabin).
- Documents together, including copies of your passport and insurance.
- A collapsible daypack or tote for day trips, which doubles as extra capacity on the return leg.
Items that cause trouble
Check restrictions on sharp tools such as multi-tools and knives, which are generally not allowed in the cabin, and on liquids over the limit. Lithium batteries and power banks have rules about being in the cabin, not the hold. Look up the official security rules for each airport you'll use, since they can differ by country.
Tips that save money and stress
- Check in online as early as the airline allows, and save the boarding pass offline.
- Add a bag at booking if you need one, because it's usually cheaper than adding it later.
- Board when your group is called, but don't pay for priority just to avoid a bag fee you could skip.
- Wear your jacket and heaviest shoes on board, and use your pockets sensibly.
- Allow plenty of time at secondary airports and read the transfer options in advance, as covered in our secondary airports guide.
Ready to compare? Use the FareHacker flight finder to open your route on Skyscanner, Kayak and Kiwi.com side by side.