You don’t realise how expensive luggage is… until you’re travelling with kids.
One bag turns into three.
Three turns into five.
And suddenly your “cheap flight” quietly mutates into something… not cheap at all.
We’ve stood at check-in repacking bags on the floor.
We’ve worn three layers through security just to dodge fees.
We’ve paid for luggage we didn’t even need.
That’s usually how it starts.
But over time, you realise something:
It’s not the airlines that are the problem.
It’s how most families approach packing.
Once you fix that, the fees stop creeping in.
✈️ Want to Actually Find Cheaper Flights (Not Just Save on Bags)?
Avoiding baggage fees is one part of the puzzle…
but choosing the right flight in the first place can save even more.
We’ve compared the two most popular flight tools to see which actually finds the best deals:
👉 Aviasales vs Skyscanner: Which Is Better for Cheap Flights?
It breaks down:
- which one shows cheaper routes
- how to spot hidden costs (like baggage fees)
- and which works better for families
Why Baggage Fees Hit Families Harder
Travelling solo? Easy.
Travelling as a couple? Manageable.
Travelling with kids?
Everything multiplies.
You’re not just packing clothes—you’re packing:
- snacks
- backups
- comfort items
- “just in case” outfits
- things you might need but probably won’t
And airlines don’t care how many people you’re travelling with.
They charge per bag. Every time.
So instead of:
→ “we need one suitcase”
It becomes:
→ “we’ll just add another”
→ “and maybe one more just to be safe”
And that’s where the cost creeps in.
Especially with budget airlines, where:
- carry-ons are limited
- checked bags are expensive
- weight limits are strict
The system isn’t built for families.
Which means you need your own.
The Shift That Changes Everything
Most overpacking comes from one place:
Fear.
“What if we need this?”
“What if the kids spill everything?”
“What if we can’t find what we need there?”
So you pack for every scenario.
But here’s what actually happens:
You use about 60% of what you bring.
The rest just… travels with you.
The goal isn’t to be prepared for everything.
It’s to be prepared for what’s likely.
That shift alone cuts your luggage down massively.
1. The Carry-On First Rule
Before anything else, start with this constraint:
“What if we didn’t check a bag?”
Even if you end up checking one, this changes how you think.
For a family, this might look like:
- 1 carry-on suitcase per adult
- 1 backpack per child
- Shared items split across bags
And suddenly:
→ You’re forced to prioritise
→ You cut out duplication
→ You avoid unnecessary “extras”
We’ve done trips where a family of four travelled entirely on carry-ons.
Not perfectly. Not minimally.
Just… intentionally.
2. Pack Like You’re Staying - Not Moving
This is where most people go wrong.
They pack for the entire trip.
But you don’t live like that at home.
You don’t wear 14 different outfits before doing laundry.
So why pack that way?
Instead:
- Pack for 3–4 days
- Wash clothes
- Repeat
That’s it.
We stopped packing for 2 weeks…
and started packing for 3 days on repeat.
And everything got easier:
- lighter bags
- fewer decisions
- less stress
Laundry becomes part of the system, not a problem.
3. Choose Flights Based on Baggage (Not Just Price)
This is one of the biggest hidden mistakes.
You find a cheap flight.
You book it.
Then you add baggage.
And suddenly:
→ +£30 per bag
→ +£60 return
→ +£100+ for a family
Now compare that with:
- airlines that include baggage
- slightly higher fares with better allowances
Sometimes the “cheaper” option ends up costing more.
🔍 Quick Tip: Compare Flights Properly
When searching for flights, don’t just look at the base price.
Tools like Aviasales and Skyscanner let you:
- compare airlines
- check baggage policies
- spot hidden costs early
👉 We break this down fully here:
Aviasales vs Skyscanner: Which Is Better for Cheap Flights?
Because the real “cheap flight” isn’t the lowest price—it’s the lowest total cost.
4. The Family “Split System”
Instead of everyone packing individually, think as a unit.
We use a simple system:
- 1 shared suitcase → clothes + bulk items
- 1 essentials bag per person → daily-use items
- Optional: small overflow bag (only if needed)
This avoids:
- duplication
- wasted space
- unnecessary weight
You don’t need four of everything.
You need one system that works together.
5. Wear the Bulky Stuff
This one feels obvious, but most people don’t do it consistently.
Anything bulky goes on you:
- jackets
- trainers
- hoodies
Yes, it might feel slightly uncomfortable.
Yes, you might look like you’re preparing for three climates at once.
But:
→ it saves space
→ it reduces weight
→ it avoids fees
And once you get used to it, it’s just part of travel.
6. Use Airline Perks (Without Overcomplicating It)
You don’t need to go deep into points and miles.
But a few simple things help:
- Some credit cards include free checked bags
- Some fare upgrades are worth it
- Some airlines are just more family-friendly
The key is simplicity.
If it adds stress, skip it.
If it saves money and makes things easier, use it.
What Actually Matters (And What Doesn’t)
Here’s the honest part.
Kids don’t need as much as you think.
Most places have shops.
You can buy things if you need them.
The biggest shift for us wasn’t packing better.
It was realising:
We don’t need to carry our entire life with us.
And once you let go of that…
Everything changes.
The System We Actually Use
All of this came from trial and error.
Packing too much.
Paying too much.
Learning the hard way.
So we pulled everything into one place.
Our Family Travel Toolkit includes:
- The exact packing system we use
- Tools + apps that save time and money
- Real cost breakdowns for family travel
If you want the full setup, you can get it here:
👉 Grab it here
Final Thought
You don’t need five suitcases.
You don’t need to prepare for every scenario.
You don’t need to get it perfect.
You just need:
- a simple system
- a bit of flexibility
- and enough confidence to start
Because once you’re out there…
You realise how little you actually need.
