Carry On vs Checked Baggage: Rules, Fees and How to Choose
How cabin and checked baggage allowances work, which items must travel in the cabin, how airlines charge for bags, and a simple way to decide what to bring.
The short answer: carry on baggage travels with you in the cabin and is limited by size and often weight, while checked baggage goes in the aircraft hold and is limited mainly by weight and total dimensions. Many fares now include only a small personal item that fits under the seat, with a larger cabin bag and checked bags charged extra. Valuables, medication, documents and spare lithium batteries and power banks must travel in the cabin; liquids over 100 milliliters generally must go in checked baggage. Choose carry on only for short trips when you can pack light, and check a bag when you need liquids, larger items or more than a few days of clothing. Always check your airline's exact allowance for your fare before you pack, because rules differ between airlines and between fare types on the same airline.
Key terms
Airlines use slightly different names, but most allowances fall into three categories:
| Term | What it means | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item | A small bag such as a backpack, handbag or laptop bag | Under the seat in front of you |
| Cabin bag (carry on) | A larger bag or small wheeled suitcase | Overhead bin |
| Checked bag | A suitcase or large bag handed in at check in | Aircraft hold |
Some airlines also treat certain items separately, such as mobility aids, baby equipment, musical instruments and sports equipment. These usually have their own rules and sometimes no extra charge.
How carry on allowances work
Carry on allowances are defined by three limits:
- Dimensions: a maximum length, width and height, including wheels and handles.
- Weight: some airlines set a maximum weight for cabin bags, while others do not weigh them routinely.
- Number of items: usually one cabin bag plus one personal item, if your fare includes a cabin bag.
Size limits vary between airlines. Many full service airlines allow a cabin bag of around 55 by 40 by 20 to 23 centimeters, while some low cost carriers include only a smaller personal item in the base fare. Because the differences are often just a few centimeters, a bag that fits one airline may be rejected by another.
What happens if your carry on is too big
If your bag exceeds the limit, the airline can require you to check it, often at a higher fee at the gate than if you had paid in advance. On full flights, airlines may also check cabin bags at the gate for free when overhead space runs out. If that happens, remove anything that must stay with you, such as batteries, medication, passports and valuables, before handing the bag over.
How checked baggage allowances work
Checked baggage is usually limited by:
- Weight per bag, commonly 23 kilograms (50 pounds) in economy on many routes, and more in premium cabins.
- Total dimensions, often measured as length plus width plus height, commonly up to 158 centimeters (62 inches).
- Number of bags included in your fare.
Two systems are used to set allowances on international flights:
| System | How it works | Where it is common |
|---|---|---|
| Piece concept | A set number of bags, each with a maximum weight | Flights to and from the Americas |
| Weight concept | A total weight allowance across all bags | Some routes in Europe, Asia and Africa |
Overweight and oversized bags are charged extra and can cost more than an additional bag. Above a certain weight, often 32 kilograms, airlines may refuse a bag altogether for staff safety.
Baggage fees and fare types
Many airlines now sell several fare types on the same flight, with different baggage allowances:
- Basic or light fares may include only a personal item.
- Standard fares may add a cabin bag.
- Flexible or premium fares may include one or more checked bags.
When comparing flights, always compare the total cost for the bags you actually need. A cheap fare can become more expensive than a standard fare once baggage is added. Buying baggage when you book, or at least before you reach the airport, is usually cheaper than paying at check in or at the gate.
Connecting flights on different airlines
If your journey involves more than one airline on a single ticket, the baggage rules of one airline usually apply to the whole journey, often the airline operating the most significant part of the trip. If you book separate tickets, each airline's rules apply separately and your checked bag may not be transferred automatically. Check the rules for each ticket and allow time to collect and recheck bags.
What must go in your carry on
Some items should always travel in the cabin, either because rules require it or because losing them would cause serious problems.
| Item | Cabin or hold | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Passport, visas, travel documents | Cabin | Needed at every border and if a bag is lost |
| Prescription medication | Cabin | You may not be able to replace it quickly |
| Spare lithium batteries and power banks | Cabin only | Fire risk in the hold; airlines and aviation regulators prohibit them in checked bags |
| E cigarettes and vaping devices | Cabin only | Fire risk; usually banned from checked bags |
| Laptops, cameras, phones | Cabin recommended | Value and battery safety |
| Jewelry, cash, keys | Cabin | High value, hard to replace |
| A change of clothes | Cabin recommended | In case your checked bag is delayed |
Some airlines have also restricted the use or charging of power banks during flight, so check your airline's current battery policy before you travel.
What must go in checked baggage
Some items cannot travel in the cabin:
- Liquids, aerosols and gels in containers larger than 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces), with exceptions for medication and baby food. See our liquids rule guide.
- Sharp objects such as knives and most scissors with long blades.
- Tools above certain lengths.
- Sporting goods that could be used as weapons, such as baseball bats and golf clubs.
Some items are banned from both the cabin and the hold, such as most flammable liquids, fireworks and certain chemicals. The TSA's "What Can I Bring?" tool and the UK government's hand luggage guidance let you check individual items.
Carry on only or check a bag: how to decide
Use this decision table:
| Choose carry on only if | Check a bag if |
|---|---|
| Your trip is short, roughly a week or less | Your trip is long or covers several climates |
| You can do laundry or repeat outfits | You need formal clothes or specialist gear |
| You can keep liquids to travel sizes | You need full size toiletries or medication in liquid form beyond allowances |
| You have tight connections | You have long connections or a direct flight |
| You want to leave the airport quickly | You are traveling with children and their equipment |
| Your fare includes a cabin bag, or it costs less than a checked bag | You are bringing back purchases or gifts |
Advantages of carry on only
- No waiting at baggage reclaim.
- No risk of lost or delayed checked baggage.
- Easier to change flights during disruption.
- Often cheaper on low cost airlines.
Advantages of checking a bag
- More space and weight for clothes and gear.
- No limit on liquid container sizes in the hold.
- Less to carry through airports and onto trains.
Special baggage: children, mobility aids and sports equipment
Some items follow their own rules and are often carried free or at a reduced fee.
Traveling with children
Many airlines carry a stroller and a car seat free of charge for each child, either checked at the desk or at the gate. Infants traveling on a parent's lap often have a reduced or no baggage allowance of their own. Baby food, formula and breast milk are allowed in the cabin in reasonable quantities, above the usual liquid limits, but must be declared at security.
Mobility aids and medical devices
Wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids are usually carried free and do not count toward your allowance. Battery powered wheelchairs have specific rules depending on the battery type, so contact the airline at least 48 hours before departure, or earlier if the airline asks. Medical devices such as CPAP machines can normally be carried in the cabin in addition to your allowance. Bring a doctor's letter for any medical equipment and medication.
Sports and musical equipment
Bicycles, skis, golf clubs, surfboards and diving gear are often accepted as checked baggage, sometimes as part of your allowance and sometimes for a fixed fee. Many airlines require you to book these items in advance and pack them in a suitable case. Small musical instruments may fit in the cabin; larger ones may need a purchased seat or must be checked in a hard case.
Baggage on trains, buses and ferries
Baggage rules do not stop at the airport. Long distance trains in many countries have generous allowances but limited space, so large suitcases can be hard to store on busy services. Some high speed rail operators set size or number limits. Long distance buses usually allow one or two large bags in the hold and a small bag on board, sometimes with fees for extra items. Ferries often allow more baggage, but foot passengers may have to carry it on themselves. Check each operator's rules when planning a multi modal trip, using the same approach described in our step by step trip planning guide.
Packing tips for carry on travel
If you choose to travel with a cabin bag only:
- Measure and weigh your bag at home, including wheels and handles.
- Plan outfits around a small number of colors so items mix and match.
- Wear your bulkiest items on travel days, such as boots and a jacket.
- Use packing cubes to compress clothes and keep them organized.
- Bring solid toiletries, such as bar soap, solid shampoo and stick deodorant, which are not limited by liquid rules.
- Put liquids in a clear bag at the top for quick removal at security.
What to do if your checked bag is delayed, damaged or lost
Report the problem to the airline before you leave the airport, at the baggage service desk. Get a written report with a reference number.
Then:
- Keep receipts for essential items you buy while waiting for a delayed bag, such as toiletries and a change of clothes. Many airlines reimburse reasonable expenses.
- Follow the airline's claim process and deadlines. Under the Montreal Convention, which governs airline liability on many international flights, claims for damaged baggage generally must be made in writing within 7 days of receipt, and claims for delayed baggage within 21 days of the date the bag was placed at your disposal.
- Check your travel insurance, which may cover costs beyond the airline's liability. See what travel insurance covers.
- Check your credit card benefits, as some cards include baggage delay cover when the ticket was paid with the card.
A bag is usually treated as lost if it has not been found after a set period, often 21 days.
How to reduce the risk
- Put your name, phone number and email on a tag outside and a note inside each bag.
- Remove old airline tags so scanners do not misread your bag.
- Take a photo of your bag and its contents before you travel.
- Consider an electronic tracker inside the bag so you can see where it is.
- Allow enough connection time for bags to transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring a carry on and a personal item?
It depends on your fare. Many full service fares include both, while basic fares on many low cost and some full service airlines include only the personal item. Check your booking.
Do airlines weigh carry on bags?
Some do, especially low cost carriers and airlines on routes with weight limits for cabin bags. Others rarely weigh them. Assume your bag may be checked and keep within the stated limit.
Can I take a power bank in checked baggage?
No. Spare lithium batteries and power banks must travel in the cabin. Some airlines also restrict their use on board, so check the airline's rules.
Is it cheaper to pay for bags in advance?
Usually yes. Airlines often charge more for bags added at the airport, and the highest fees are typically at the gate.
What if my carry on is gate checked?
Take out batteries, medication, documents and valuables before handing it over. Gate checked bags are usually returned at the aircraft door or at baggage reclaim, depending on the airline and airport.
Sources
- Transportation Security Administration, "What Can I Bring?" and baggage screening: tsa.gov
- Federal Aviation Administration, PackSafe guidance on batteries and hazardous materials: faa.gov
- UK Government, hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: gov.uk
- International Civil Aviation Organization, Montreal Convention 1999: icao.int