I used to be a serial overpacker. I’d bring the biggest suitcase I could find, stuff it with all my clothes, sit on it to get it shut, get in trouble with airlines over the weight, and then come home having worn only a fraction of what I packed.
It took me becoming nomadic to change my habits. Packing my whole life into a suitcase and then moving around on a regular basis made it very difficult for me to overpack. And I learnt what it was that I actually needed for a trip.
Now I pick my suitcase (and what I will pack inside it) based on the trip length and the airline I’m flying with, and it’s genuinely made travelling SO much easier.
This guide will take you through that same process, from picking the right suitcase sizes to figuring out exactly what you need for your trip.
Suitcase sizes explained
Suitcases generally fall into two main categories: carry-on and checked.
- Carry-on: is designed to fit in the overhead bin on most flights. This is the suitcase you take on board with you, and it’s ideal for shorter trips or if you want to skip the baggage carousel altogether. Most airlines cap carry-on luggage at around 55 x 40 x 23 cm, though some budget carriers are stricter.
- Checked: is anything that goes in the hold. Checked suitcases come in a range of sizes, from medium cases around 65 cm that are perfect for a week away, right up to large 80 cm cases for longer trips. The main thing to keep in mind is your airline’s weight limit, which is usually around 23 kg. A bigger case doesn’t mean you can pack more if you’re going to then go way past the weight allowance.
As a general rule, the smallest suitcase you can get away with is usually the right one. Less space means less temptation to overpack, less weight to haul around, and fewer potential baggage fees to worry about.
What size suitcase do I need for my trip?
The easiest way to figure out what size suitcase you need is to start with how long you’re going for. Here’s what I’d recommend for each trip length.
Weekend trips (1-3 nights)
A carry-on is all you need for a weekend away. You’re packing light, you don’t need to check a bag, and you can walk straight through the airport without waiting at the carousel.
Look for something in the 30-40L range. That’s enough for a few outfits, toiletries and a pair of shoes. If you pack smart and use packing cubes, you’d be surprised how much fits into a 20″ case (just be wary of the weight).
I use the Level8 Gibraltar Aluminium Carry-On for weekends, and it’s more than enough. If you’re after something lighter and more affordable, the Level8 Luminous Textured Carry-On is a great polycarbonate option that does the job without the weight of aluminium.
Short holidays (4-7 nights)
A week-long holiday is where things can get a bit more complicated. You can still do it with a carry-on if you’re a disciplined packer, but most people will be more comfortable with a medium checked case around 60-70L.
This gives you room for a full week of outfits, a couple of pairs of shoes, and all your toiletries without having to agonise over every item. I also like to be able to pack my gym gear when I go away for more than a few days, and this really starts to add up.
The Level8 Luminous Textured 24″ is a solid pick here, lightweight with plenty of room for a week away.
Longer trips (1-2 weeks)
For anything beyond a week, a large checked suitcase in the 90-105L range is usually the way to go. This gives you enough space to pack for a longer trip without resorting to sitting on the case to close it.
The Level8 Voyageur comes in 26″, 28″ and 30″ sizes, so you can choose based on exactly how long your trip is and how much you tend to pack. I also find that the wide handle design on the Voyageur makes it noticeably easier to move around, which is very useful when I’m lugging around a heavier case.
Extended travel (2+ weeks)
If you’re travelling for more than two weeks, the temptation is to go for the biggest suitcase you can find. But I’d actually recommend a different approach: take a large checked case and a carry-on.
The carry-on keeps your essentials, electronics and a change of clothes with you at all times, which is a lifesaver if your checked bag gets delayed. And a large case like the Level8 Voyageur 28″ gives you plenty of room for everything else. If you really need the extra space, the 30″ version takes it up to 105L.
The key with longer trips is to pack versatile clothing you can mix and match rather than trying to bring a different outfit for every day.
Check out Level8’s Voyageur travel set, including a 20″ and a 28″ case.
Airline limits
You may have it all figured out on your end, including the outfits you need to pack and the size of suitcase that will be sufficient.
But before buying any carry-on suitcase, it’s worth checking the size limits for the airlines you fly most often, because luggage that’s fine on British Airways might not be allowed on Ryanair, without paying extortionate amounts that go way past the price of the plane ticket itself.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the three airlines I fly most from the UK.
| Ryanair | easyJet | British Airways | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on | |||
| Underseat bag | 40 x 30 x 20 cm Free | 45 x 36 x 20 cm, 15 kg Free | 40 x 30 x 15 cm Free |
| Overhead bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg Paid | 56 x 45 x 25 cm Paid | 56 x 45 x 25 cm Free |
| Checked | |||
| Allowance | 10 kg, 20 kg or 23 kg Paid | 15 kg or 23 kg Paid | 23 kg Some fares |
The important thing to note is that most standard carry-on suitcases will fit within the overhead bag limits for all three airlines. But on Ryanair and easyJet, you’ll need to pay for priority or an add-on to actually use the overhead locker. If you’re flying on a basic fare with either of those two, you’re limited to a small underseat bag only.
Always double-check your airline’s baggage policy before you fly. These rules do change, and the fines can be horrific.
What size Level8 suitcases to buy
These are the Level8 suitcases I’d recommend depending on your trip length and travel style.
Level8 discount: Get 15% off your suitcase using code MVT15 at checkout
Gibraltar Aluminium Carry-On 20″
- Size: 55.8 x 38.1 x 21.3 cm
- Weight: 4.5kg
- Capacity: 36l
If you want a premium carry-on that looks and feels high-end without the price tag to match. This aluminium carry-on is perfect for you, and it’s my top pick for weekend trips and short breaks.
Voyageur Carry-On 20″
- Size: 54.5 x 38.5 x 25 cm
- Weight: 3.7kg
- Capacity: 43l
If you fly frequently and want something easy to move around. The wide handle design makes a real difference when you’re rushing through airports, and it’s one of Level8’s most popular cases for a reason.
Luminous Textured 24″
- Size: 66 x 44.5 x 26.5 cm
- Weight: 4.4kg
- Capacity: 65l
The one I’d grab for a week-long holiday. It’s lightweight polycarbonate, so you’re not eating into your weight allowance before you’ve even packed, and 65L is a comfortable amount of space for seven nights.
Voyageur 28″
- Size: 73.9 x 42.2 x 33.8 cm
- Weight: 5.6kg
- Capacity: 99l
For longer trips where a carry-on just isn’t going to cut it. The 99L Voyageur gives you serious packing room, and the wide handle keeps it manageable even when it’s full. Also available in a 26″ and 30″.
Level8 discount: Get 15% off your suitcase using code MVT15 at checkout
My go-to travel health insurance:
Leave a Reply