Holidaymakers Warned To Not Use Wheeled Suitcases This Summer

In theory, wheeled suitcases are the ideal travel companion – they provide weightless transportation for all your holiday essentials, and are easy to wheel through airports, bus terminals and train stations.

However, it turns out that taking a wheeled suitcase on holiday could be far more hassle than it’s worth, especially if you’re travelling to certain countries or taking advantage of seasonal offers from budget airlines.

According to travel experts at Flash Pack, there are problems with wheeled suitcases before you even take off.

Recommending canvas duffel bags as an alternative, they said: “If you’re flying budget, you’ll often be asked to place your wheeled suitcase in [the] hold – whereas a duffle bag will make it through no matter how full the aircraft [is].”

This is definitely worth bearing in mind if you need to disembark quickly to make a transfer when you land.

The team added that with a duffel bag, you’re also more likely to be able to stow it comfortably under your seat than “running the gauntlet” of overhead lockers.

Once you’re at your destination, your rolling bag could also be disruptive to residents, especially in Europe where there are plenty of cobbled streets. These can also make using a wheeled suitcase harder, too!

While there isn’t a ban in place, the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia released an informational video urging tourists to not use wheeled suitcases as the noise emitted from them can be disruptive to local residents.

Not the ideal start to a holiday.

Now that we know which type of luggage we should be using, how do we make the most of the space inside our carry-on luggage?

Here’s what Flash Pack’s experts recommend:

• When packing, filter out anything you don’t need such as excess clothes, expensive jewellery and unnecessary items
• Bring high-protein snacks such as dried fruit or cereal bars to feel fuller for longer on your flight, as well as chewing gum to help with the ear-popping sensation on flights.
• Prioritise sleep essentials for longer flights. These include travel pillows, ear plugs, an eye mask and a handheld fan.
• Pre-prep your toiletries in clear bags.
• Create a storage system for your travel documents that works for you and your fellow travellers.
• Bring a pen and paper for those thoughts that come to you when you’re thousands of feet in the air and unplugged
• Bring a hoodie or thick socks in case air conditioning makes the flight chilly
• Headphones and a portable phone charger are essential
• Bring your own reusable water bottle, straws and alternative eco-friendly face wipes like bamboo cleansing cloths for when you need a refresh