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Original poster

Trunki - are they worth it? For a 6 year old?

59 replies

Sandrine1982 · 21/05/2025 06:16

Every time my husband sees a Trunki at an airport, he says we should get one for our DD.
But to me, they look like a very unpractical, clunky gadget, which can end up being a nightmare for parents.

First, I think DD - who is almost 6 - will be a bit too old for it?

Second, we often fly with Ryanair and similar airlines, and I'm really confused about baggage restrictions. The trunki advert says that Trunki can be taken as hand lugage for free ?! Surely not for free, as they exceed the size of a small backpack??

I know Ryanair mention trunki on their website, but confusingly don't actually say the word free.

I know I would be able to take it as a cabin bag if I pay for priority, but I have no desire to do that if I can pack my kid's clothes in my own suitcase and just pay for one suitcase rather than 2.

Any insights greatly appreciated :)

OP posts:
malmi · 21/05/2025 06:19

The Ryanair site is pretty clear. You can take it as the “small bag” even though it exceeds the limits of the small bag size (40 x 20 x 25cm). That’s the free bag. Therefore, taking the Trunki is free. I’m going to get one for our upcoming Ryanair trip.

Peanut91 · 21/05/2025 06:36

My 6yr old and 4yr old love their trunkis and use them if they go for sleepovers at my parents house, my eldest uses his for hospital stays (he has a chronic health condition) and they often just play with them. I got both of them off market place and both were in very good condition

SendBooksAndTea · 21/05/2025 06:37

I'd say at 6 they are getting a bit old for it, dd had one from tiny and loved it.

voxnihili · 21/05/2025 06:39

Trunki is great and we took it free on easyJet last year. We’ve had ours since DD was 2. She’s now 6 and our next holiday will be the first it isn’t used - DD (who is tall for her age) is far too big to sit on it now.

roses2 · 21/05/2025 06:39

EasyJet and Wizz Air charge extra for Trunkis when I checked last year

NewNewForest · 21/05/2025 06:39

Mine had them as toddlers, reception, ish but didn’t get much use out of them by 6/7. By the time they get older their clothes are bigger so they can fit less in the case and you end up packing their stuff in yours!

ravenclaworslytherin · 21/05/2025 06:40

My 7yr old, 5yr old, and 3yr old all have them. Never been abroad with them but we find them handy for UK holidays and sleepovers at grandparents house. I can get a week worth of clothes including swim towel and float in each of them

CrownCoats · 21/05/2025 06:40

Massive waste of money. They’re bulky and heavy and have a very small capacity. You will end up having to carry it on top of everything else you have to carry. I would also say a 6 year old is too big for one. The ideal age is about 2-3 years.

brettsalanger · 21/05/2025 06:43

I think your DC is a bit old for them now.
they are pretty small inside and you can’t back as much as you think. They are also bulky and the novelty of sitting on them will wear out quick for a 6 year old.

Youll end up carrying it - a back pack for your DC would be much better.

KnickerlessFlannel · 21/05/2025 06:43

They're a nightmare for hand luggage as you can't easily open them on a crowded plane. Plus the wheels take up loads of space so the capacit is limited. I think they're really poorly designed.

saraclara · 21/05/2025 06:43

They hold very little for the space they take up and their weight. They're just a gimmick, and I really don't understand why anyone buys them.

Lady1576 · 21/05/2025 06:45

I find that I can’t get a lot in them because the kids like that they belong to them so always want to pack them themselves with random stuff! Also it does mean more temptation for zooming around the airport. This is kinda good and bad. My husband hated that it was one more thing to keep an eye out for and the towing function is quite clumsy. On the other hand it was the main thing they played with on a holiday where not many toys were available so a god send!

GRex · 21/05/2025 06:49

Get a small cabin size wheelie bag instead, you'll fit a lot more in. DS is 6 and likes wheeling a bag. Let your DC pick the colour.

MrsKateColumbo · 21/05/2025 06:52

Do not get one. They are clunky but you cant get much stuff in them, difficult to carry, a complete white elephant ans your child will love it and never want to throw it away!

MummaMummaMumma · 21/05/2025 06:54

We got one when my 11 year old was tiny. We got abroad once a year and UK holidays 3 times, used it a couple of times.
Can't used as hand luggage on flights, as too large.
Has weird packing compartments that don't got a lot in.
Not easy to open when out, as have to open up the entire thing jng 3
Was not a fan!
Gave it to the charity shop last week.

ColourlessGreenIdeasSleepFuriously · 21/05/2025 06:55

More clunky impractical shit for mums to sort out is what trunkis are

Bigcheesey · 21/05/2025 06:58

As an alternative to a Trunki, take a look at the Stokke JetKids BedBox (I think that’s the official name). It has loads of storage, is much easier to steer through airports, and it converts into a bed or footrest on the plane. I’m not sure if it’s officially allowed on Ryanair, but my 4-year-old absolutely loves hers!

Amethystanddiamonds · 21/05/2025 06:59

They aren't very helpful as hand luggage and you can't really drag a child on them without causing chaos at the airport . Also my just turned 7yo DS would not be seen dead with a trunki now. It's his Pokémon backpack all the way!

Zanatdy · 21/05/2025 07:02

I never got one for my DC as I hate trying to find space in over head lockers for hand luggage and they are clunky and not easy to squash in. I’d also say at 6, it’s not worth getting one.

kiwiane · 21/05/2025 07:06

Most airlines allow them as the child’s hand luggage. They’re a fun choice for toddlers and I don’t understand the negativity. They can be carried or pulled along and easily hold the child’s clothes for a summer break or overnight trip.
However I’d have thought most children would be past using them by 7 years old.

MalcolmMoo · 21/05/2025 07:08

My 18 month old has one and she loves it! 6 seems a bit old for one.

We’re taking it on holiday next month, going to take it as the free nappy bag on the plane.

Londonrach1 · 21/05/2025 07:09

Your dc is too old for the one advantage of this to ride on it at the airport. They not practical re packing things in them. Get a small cabin sized wheeled suitcase instead.

BakewellGin1 · 21/05/2025 07:12

At 6 I wouldn't bother.
Both DS had one approx ages 2 and 3 for the novelty of characters such as gruffalo.
They are an awkward shape, unmovable and once they were past the age of being able to sit on them they just ended up getting in everyone's way or was another thing for us to carry.
I swapped them out for lighter weight character back pack which easily holds iPad, small toys, change of clothes, book and snacks for any travel.

IShouldNotCoco · 21/05/2025 07:18

My dd is 5 and will be flying for the first time next month. My older dd had a Trunki when she was little and it has been quite useful. But I think there are now better, more functional products like Stokke jetkids bed box which is a ride on suitcase with wheels that turn in all directions and which converts to a seat extender for the child.

SnackAttack36 · 21/05/2025 07:19

You can take it on Ryanair for free as your small bag, we do this every year. Not sure about other airlines. But 6 is probably too old for it, it’s really more for toddlers and pre schoolers.
We got one for DD when she was 2 and use it for packing toys, colouring in and games for the flight, and also things like a change of clothes, a few nappies, wipes etc. It keeps DD entertained at the airport and on the flight, and she loves helping to pack it any time we go anywhere.
But it’s really more of a toy rather than a practical suitcase for packing lots of stuff. As others have said it’s quite small, so the bulk of the clothes go in our suitcase. DD is 5 now so in a year or 2 we’ll probably get rid of it.