Carry-on vs. Checked Luggage

When planning for a trip, you might ask yourself: Should I just bring a carry-on? While a carry-on is doesn't require any extra fees, it is smaller and has limits when it comes to liquids. Checked luggage is less of a hassle when waiting for your flight, but you'll have to wait at the baggage claim. Here is the good and the bad of both options.

The Good Side of Carry-On

No Fees & No Weighing

When having everything you need in your carry-on, you don't have to deal with having to weigh it and pay extra fees if it is overweight. Furthermore, some airlines make you pay extra for a checked bag.

If you can carry everything you need for the trip in your carry-on, you won't have to spend any extra money when checking in

Good for Shorter Flight & Trips

If you are someone who often travels for a short period of time for work, a carry-on is a quick, easy, and affordable option. Often people who must travel for work and will only spend two to three days away manage to pack everything they need in their carry-on. This allows the travel to be much less stressful and quicker.

Won't Get Lost & No Baggage Claim

Since your carry-on will stay with you the entire time, there is no chance for it to get lost. Everyone has heard of the horror stories of airlines losing someone's checked bag and how they had to deal with the inconvenience of not having their things and the complicated process to deal with the lost baggage.

Furthermore, with a carry-on, you won't have to deal with waiting at baggage claim to find your luggage among others.

The Bad Side of Carry-On

Liquid Limit

When going through airport security, your carry-on will come with you. Usually, you can only take containers that hold 3.4 oz. or 100 ml. or less. While a carry-on sounds like a great idea, you will not be able to take with you a full bottle of shampoo or the full size of some of your skincare products.

Size

Because every person is usually allowed a carry-on in every flight, the luggage needs to be of a certain size to fit into the overhead compartment.

You should be able to find a box that is the exact size of those measurements to see if you can take your carry-on with you. Sometimes, if the plane is too full the airline will check your carry-on for free that is why it is a good idea to have a carry-on that fits under the seat.

Always with you

Although it's great that you won't have a chance of losing your luggage with a carry-on, it might be annoying to have to carry it with you while waiting for your flight. Keep in mind that you will have to carry it with you to the bathroom and anywhere in the airport you go.

The Good Side of Checked

Less Stress

After checking in your luggage, you don't have to worry about having to carry it with you around the airport. Furthermore, going through airport security is much easier. Usually, you will only bring a bag for your electronics and maybe a purse.

This allows you to move more freely around the airport and going to the bathroom is much less clunky than with a carry-on.

Good for longer trips

Checked bags are much bigger than carry-ons, which means that you will be able to bring more things and even buy souvenirs during the trip.

Checked bags are great if you're going away for a longer period of time or if you're flying abroad. For these types of trip it is good to have a lot of options and bigger sizes of your skincare and personal hygiene products.

The Bad Side of Checked

Extra Fees

When checking in luggage you will have to make sure that it is not over the weight limit of your specific airline. If it is, you might need to pay extra fees. Some airlines also charge extra for a checked bag, so always pay attention to those things.

Possible damage of loss

Airlines handle a lot of luggage at once from multiple flights sometimes. That is why you need to make sure you buy very durable luggage that will get damaged the more you travel.

Your luggage will be thrown around in all sorts of ways. There is also the event of your luggage getting lost which is never a fun experience.

Which is better?

When it comes to picking the best option, it is all up to you and your trip. If you’re going on a shorter trip or not too far away, a carry-on will help you save some money.

If you're going away for longer period, a checked bag might be the best option. Test it out! Next time you're going somewhere for a weekend trip, try bringing a carry-on. Just always remember to check the requirements to pass security.