Airline luggage allowances seem to shrink further every year, forcing passengers to choose between travelling with a tiny backpack or forking out astronomical baggage fees.

Budget savvy travellers are meeting this challenge head on with innovative ways to avoid additional charges – skipping queues and becoming more nimble in the process.

If you’re considering living out of hand luggage on your next trip, don’t pack before reading these tips for travelling with one small bag – compiled from Reddit’s Travel community.

Plan a capsule wardrobe for your travels

Careful planning is the key to packing light, according to many seasoned travellers.

“I started having ‘uniforms’,” explains one Reddit user. “If you look at my photos from hiking trips the last two years, it would look like one long trip – I have no shame in my game.”

If you’re likely to experience different climates on your travels, versatile, layerable clothing is your friend.

“I have a VERY well thought out wardrobe with pieces that layer for climate control and for varied looks… The same wardrobe can take me from over 100F [38C] all the way down to freezing,” says another Reddit user.

The same applies to diverse dress codes.

“I manage to travel this light by curating multi-use items, designing a capsule wardrobe where all items mix and match and can take me from the office to the beach on a single trip,” says another member of Reddit’s Travel community.

“I also do not expect everything to be perfect. I have scaled the rigging of an old sail boat in dress pants, I have worn a plain t-shirt and ‘yoga pants’ to a Michelin star restaurant dressed up with statement jewellery,” they caveat.

And sometimes, it’s just a matter of sacrifice.

“I’m team carry on only… I used to travel with way too much,” says one Reddit user. “I’ve become ok with just going without. I’ve never once looked back at a vacation and thought ‘man I wish I had brought that shirt with me’.”

Use your bag volume effectively

As important as careful selection of clothing is the way you pack it.

We’ve all heard of rolling items to ensure they take up less space, but some travellers take it one step further.

“I use compression packing cubes, tuck socks and underwear into shoes or gaps created by shoes, use workout clothes and undershirts to fill larger gaps and the bottom where things don’t fit flush, and generally pack only what I’ll actually wear in a trip,” says one Reddit user.

Wearing your bulkiest items on the flight can help save space in your bag – as does making use of deep jacket pockets for carrying bulkier items like toiletries.

Another sneaky trick is to pick up a duty-free bag at the airport to store extra items. Most airlines will allow one duty-free bag on top of your set luggage allowance, but some may check that it is sealed with duty-free goods inside – so it is a risk.

Do laundry on your travels

Laundry might be the last thing you want to think about when you’re trying to take a break, but many travellers say it’s the key to packing light.

“Do laundry at least once a week. Wear the same thing over because who will know but you,” advises one Reddit user.

“We travel weeks at a time internationally with carry-ons only and every week we do laundry… to completely refresh our clothes supply,” adds another.

It’s not always necessary to stay in accommodation that has its own washing machine, either.

“Sink washing is fast, easy, and convenient in most situations,” says one Reddit user.

For some travellers, heading to the local laundrette can even become part of the fun.

“I have really enjoyed doing a load of laundry during the middle of our trip,” says one Reddit user. “The [laundrette] is usually in an old part of town, where a bar is next door, and I hang out for a bit with the locals. As crazy as it sounds, I really enjoy those couple of hours.”

What’s the best way to pack shoes?

As one of the bulkiest – yet most essential – travel items, shoes are a conundrum when travelling light.

The answer, according to packing experts, is again versatility.

“I have a nice looking pair of very comfortable/supportive canvas Cole Haan’s that serve multiple purposes as I can wear them out all day walking around cities but with a nice pant can also go to restaurants, shows, etc,” says one Reddit user.

“I most often travel with one pair of sneakers that are comfortable to walk in all day and can serve in the gym and/or on light hikes as well as a pair of sandals for lounging, in the shower, or for warm locations,” adds another.

Wearing your bulkiest pair of shoes – whether they’re hiking boots or trainers – on the flight is a must. More compact footwear can then find space in your bag – flip flops, sneakers or ballet flats can fit in a side pocket, for example.

Why pack light?

Apart from the cost-saving benefits of travelling with hand luggage only, there are plenty of reasons to cut down on your next trip.

“Carrying on saves me hours each time I travel (don’t ever have to stand in a check-in line an hour plus before my flight, and particularly with Global Entry I practically walk straight out of the airport after arriving home),” says one Reddit user.

“Travelling with a tiny bag and very few things has actually put the fun and freedom back into travel for me,” adds another.

“Imagine checking out of your hotel at 10am, tossing a small backpack on, and being able to wear it all day without thinking about it, until you check into your next hotel, or catch that train, or go to the airport.

“No stashing luggage, no going back to pick up your bag anywhere, no fighting for stowage space on a train or plane, no losing sight of your bag. Heck, I can even get on a train or bus and take a seat without even removing my bag!”

Despite it landing them in some “less than ideal situations” due to lacking the appropriate clothing, one Reddit user says they wouldn’t change tack.

“I will continue to choose packing light because of the freedom of stepping off the plane and walking out the airport doors and being able to go anywhere without having to drop my stuff off at the accommodation, and being able to easily navigate all forms of transportation,” they say.

“Being able to unpack or re-pack in under five minutes meaning more time out having fun is too valuable for me to give up for another pair of shoes or a few extra pieces of clothing or more toiletries.”

Whether you love or hate in-flight meals, there’s no denying the jingle of the trolly breaks up the monotony of a long journey.

But free snacks could be the next casualty of airlines’ cost-cutting measures as another European carrier plans to scrap them in a new trial.

Air France, a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group, will test out a new buy-on-board system for food and drinks on some of its short and medium-haul flights from 2025.

Currently, the airline offers an edge over budget carriers like Ryanair and easyJet by providing a free drink and sandwich, snack or pastry on most of its economy class flights – depending on the duration.

Which Air France routes will stop providing free food?

Currently, Air France passengers can purchase a la carte meals when booking or up to 24 hours before departure. Looking ahead, they may have the option to buy on board.

Initially, the optional paid catering system will be introduced on Air France’s routes from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Helsinki and Lisbon.

It is yet to be seen whether the cost savings will translate into lower ticket prices or whether it will be rolled out across other routes.

Not all will be lost, however: passengers will still be offered water or a hot drink with a small sweet or salty snack.

Business class passengers will be unaffected by the change, and will still receive a complimentary meal alongside hot and cold drinks and a selection of alcoholic beverages.

Do other European airlines still give out free food?

Free food has gradually been phased out on most short- and medium-haul flights since budget airlines like Ryanair pioneered the pay-on-board model in the 1990s.

In recent years, full-service global airlines like British Airways and Lufthansa have adopted the system for shorter flights.

The Netherlands’ flag carrier KLM was also recently revealed to be considering removing complimentary catering for economy passengers.

Charging a fee would allow the airline to expand its on-board food offerings, a spokesperson told Dutch aviation magazine Luchtvaartnieuws.

Scrapping complimentary in-flight catering could have a silver lining: reducing food waste. In 2023, IATA found that 1.14 million tonnes of food waste was generated from in-flight catering annually.

It will also help to remove the temptation for those wishing to try the controversial ‘raw-dogging’ trend, which sees passengers forgo entertainment, food and drinks in a bid for a more ‘mindful’ flying experience.

Malaga is one of Spain’s most popular summer destinations, receiving around 14 million visitors in 2023.

But overtourism has become so disruptive for residents that this summer saw protests and anti-tourism campaigns in the Costa del Sol city.

Activists say their hometown has become a theme park for tourists and have spoken out about the swathes of badly behaved visitors who come to the Andalusian destination for clubbing and nightlife.

The post-pandemic tourism boom has also pushed locals to the limit by distorting the rental market and gentrifying the city centre.

In response, Malaga local council has updated tourism rules and launched a poster campaign in both English and Spanish to remind visitors of appropriate and inappropriate behaviour.

Authorities underline that following these regulations improves life for residents and means tourists have a better experience.

From street safety to clothing no-nos, there are the latest rules for visitor etiquette in Malaga.

Dress completely

Authorities remind visitors to always wear an “upper garment” in the streets and public places.

After residents complained about tourists that frequently walk around the city centre in swimming costumes or shirtless, a bylaw was introduced in 2023 making the practice illegal.

It is now forbidden to be seen without a top or in underwear in public, with fines of up to €750 for violations.

Do not be conspicuous

This rule refers to visitor behaviour that can be considered disruptive or inappropriate in residential areas. The council advises tourists not to shout, sing or play music loudly.

It asks that visitors be particularly aware of respecting the hours of the day when residents are resting and be considerate of the elderly, sick, children, students and essential workers.

Pavements are for pedestrians

Authorities ask that anyone using bicycles or scooters stick to “spaces legally designed for this purpose” rather than taking up space on pavements which are intended only for pedestrians.

Keep the city clean

The online and billboard campaign asks visitors to use garbage cans, containers and other services when disposing of rubbish.

It also emphasises that particular care not to litter should be taken around monuments, historical attractions, parks and gardens.