Please explain airlines and baggage to me?

[Fattabby]

I'm a middle aged mum with very little overseas travel experience (never holidayed abroad growing up, not travelled much as an adult). I'm actually embarrassed by how little I have travelled abroad. It's been partly lack of money, DP hasn't wanted to go, and the last few years have meant a lot of illness/disability for me, so it's not been on the cards.

Now I'm in good health, I want to go away with my two young teen DC. They are very keen to go. I'm aiming for a short stay, 4-5 nights, somewhere beachy and very touristy in Spain/Portugal etc. Just for starters, and then maybe something more adventurous later in the year. It can't be a full week, which is frustrating, due to commitments it would take too long to explain.

I'm looking at booking flights - from Bristol - and am so confused about baggage allowances, what is permitted as carry on luggage, and and scared about getting it wrong. It looks like different airlines have different rules? But I could in theory book an Easyjet flight, and we'd have legit size luggage - then book a Ryan air return, and none of it would be allowed? I also can't tell if passengers are allowed a sort of bum bag/tiny cross body bag type thing, for passports and not much else, PLUS a carry on bag, or if everything has to be in the carry on bag?

The questions I have about holidays are all so basic I am embarrassed to ask friends, who are all pretty well travelled. Does the bag have to be rigid? If it is 'squashy' will it still fit in those frame measuring things? I'll be travelling on my own with the kids. The only thing I've managed to do so far is make sure we all have up to date passports (they all have years left on them and are pristine. Passports not kids).

Any help welcome. Please be kind. I know this sounds pathetic. I have looked online at airline info but find it very confusing. They seem not to tell you anything in a simple way until you start booking it, and then everything costs extra. That's another question - do I need to book seats? we would all like to sit together, as none of us are experienced travellers. TIA

@Fattabby I hear you. I’ve been on lots of holidays but still find it overwhelming when you go online and start looking- there is just such a wide range of holidays available and it can be hard to feel confident in making choices. Mind you I feel like that about most types of shopping- clothes, home furnishings etc. Hate it and find it anxiety inducing and overwhelming!

I’m sad you’re worried about disappointing your children- I really don’t think they’ll be disappointed.

My kids have been lucky enough to go on all sorts of holidays. They’ve stayed in villas, apartments, AI hotels, caravans, tents, RVs, a cruise ship. They’ve been to the US and Canada, several Mediterranean islands, Scandinavia, lots of countries in Western Europe. They still loved camping holidays 20 miles down the road and speak fondly of those holidays.

A change of scene is exciting, being away from school and spending time with you will be lovely for them. And if it’s the first time they’ve been abroad, all of it will be exciting and new for them. Don’t overthink it. Accept that the planning and booking phase can feel stressful but then you’ll have a holiday booked to look forward to.

I just went through a flight booking ‘dummy run’ (ie not paid for anything) - and a ‘checked’ item of luggage, which I assume is hold luggage? Why can’t they just say that? is only 10kg. Which is the same as the cabin bag. So the cabin bag (10kg) is £20, and the ‘checked bag’ (10 kg) is £70.

This is for EasyJet one way and Ryan air on the return (to Lanzarote). Ryanair charges £20 for the cabin bags, but Easy Jet charges £50 for the 10 kg ‘checked’ bag. Maybe I’ve misunderstood it all but that seems crazy to me.

Ryanair Bristol to Malaga, fly out on the Monday, fly back on Good Friday. Sol Principe Hotel in Torremolinos has an exit to the beach, is about a 5 minute walk from 2 supermarkets a carrefour and a mercadona and about a 10 minute walk along the beach front to all the souvenir shops/restaurants or a 15 minute walk into the big town centre with the bigger clothing shops, McDonald’s etc. The hotel itself does various food packages with buffet style restaurant so you can just get breakfast or go half or full board. We did half having breakfast and dinner on site and lunch out and about.

The hotel has 3 outdoor pools with loungers and a bar, and an indoor heated pool, also a gym and onsite evening entertainment. There are tours to do dolphin watching boat trips, crocodile park, a couple of zoos and a big water park all within 10-15 mins uber ride.

Its not letting me paste the link but Loveholidays has the above package is you search Torremolinos as the destination and those dates.

Don’t be disheartened, OP.

If I were you, I’d go to either Alicante or Barcelona. Both great cities, right on the coast. If you’re not too fussed about a beach then Seville would also be great.

What’s your rough budget? I’m sure between us we could come up with some suggestions for you.

Good grief I went to this hotel 40 years ago as a rare foreign holiday for my family. Can’t believe it’s still going under the same brand and everything!

in slightly more recent times I have been to Estepona and Nerja and found them very nice. Also Palma. Nice to have an old town to walk around as well as being near the sea.

I did this for the first time last year and at first it all looks a bit overwhelming. First time not with ex who organized everything. So I was clueless

Personally I would avoid Ryan air because they charge extra for everything and that in itself us complicated. Everybody has their own preference on that though.

Last October I took my daughter to Malaga for 5 days on the half term. Short flight , and Malaga is lovely. I did a package with BA from Heathrow.

We had a cabin bag each so we didn’t check in any bags . And a ruck sack each. That worked fine .

Once you’ve done it once you’ll feel great, you’ll realise it’s do able and that’s very satisfying

I recently had my first holiday, on my own too! I flew easyjet, I did book package. Flight, hotel and transfer. Later booked silver car park after talking to a friend. I booked insurance at the same time but through staysure.
Bristol is an easy airport to navigate. I quickly got through baggage and security to departures and sat and chilled near the electronic boards so I could keep an eye on when to go the gate.
Have fun!!

We pack light! Wizzair and Ryanair have the smallest luggage size: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm. That’s the under seat size and I can fit enough in for a week, for a t shirt and shorts and swim stuff holiday anyway

Look on Amazon for rucksacks the right size, and travel in your bulkiest clothes.

Did you look at Jet2 holidays? They offer very flexible timings, not just 7 nights, and their luggage allowance is very generous so you don’t hebe to worry about only bringing carry on bags in various sizes

We did a long weekend trip with Ryanair and just had the under seat bag. We all got the rucksack from Amazon as posted up thread and you can get a lot in it, just make sure that you wear bulky things like jeans and jackets - jackets can be good for putting some clothes in the pockets!

One thing you must get is travel insurance, too many people forget about it. It’s also worth taking a photo of your passport photo page and travel insurance and sending it to someone trustworthy at home. Can be a godsend if for whatever ever reason you lose these whilst on your trip.

I think most of the cabin bag restrictions and pricing on budget airlines are completely bonkers! It quite often is a similar price to book a hold bag, particularly if you can share! So if we go short haul to Europe we always take a proper size suitcase for the hold, with both our stuff in. As there’s rarely a saving for going cabin bags these days, the only other potential benefit is not having to wait for your bag the other end. This is rarely more than 10-15 mins and again, something I’m baffled people think is a massive deal!

Electronics, passport, medication, phone and a single change of clothes come on the plane with me usually in my normal handbag!

I fly multiple times a year from Bristol with EasyJet. It’s well laid out small airport once you are inside although parking is a nightmare and if you use Silver parking allow 40 mins to check your car in and get the bus to the terminal.
Having a hold bag or buying a cabin bag both have their (different) advantages. With EasyJet you can buy a hold bag after you have bought your tickets. But you can’t unbuy a cabin bag at a later date if that makes sense.
If you haven’t flown recently remember to add your API (advanced passenger information - passport details) after you have bought your flights. If you are happy about it it’s fine to have everything digital on your phone (plane tixs, boarding pass) except your passport obviously.
There are water fountains where you can fill water bottles skyside. I carry an empty container through security. Bristol security are famously fussy. Obey all their rules. They have queried meds with my family - so it’s good if you have a copy of any prescriptions.
Then relax and enjoy. 😊

I’m a worrier so for a beach holiday pack my under seat bag with one swimwear, one lightweight day dress, one light evening option, a versatile flat sandal, some knickers and my charger and medication 🤣 I stress over hold luggage not making it to the destination and me being sat there for days with just my passport and the clothes on my back

Same here - and I always put some of my stuff in DH’s case, and vice versa. I think many people worry about lost luggage and therefore take more hand luggage, just to be on the safe side.

@Fattabby I'm very glad for you that your health has improved and you're well enough to get away. I bet you're excited and daunted in equal measure. I've read all of your replies and most of the thread and there's masses of helpful advice and nary any scoffing.....MN at its best🙂
First thing to remember is that the websites are designed to be bewildering. It's not you...they're made that way...to confuse and exhaust.
I agree with other posters that Malaga/Costa del Sol could be a good option.

In late March/early April the Balearics might be a bit wet plus the Canaries is a longer flight. Best to save that for the next time! No guarantees obviously on the weather whenever you go.
The advantage of basing yourself in the city of Malaga is that there's masses to see and do - the Picasso museum and the Alcazaba for a start. Just walking around a foreign city would be exciting enough for the teens. Pretty Instagrammable :)

It's very easy to travel by train from Malaga down the coast to Torremolinos - glorious long sandy beaches. Hugely built up and over commercialised but absolutely worth a visit and an hour or two soaking up the sun and splashing in the sea.

Another day you could take the train down to Fuengirola and spend the day at the beach there. It's only three quarters of an hour. Take the bus back and see more of the coast. Ideal if you don't fancy driving.
It's where I first went abroad with my family when I was 20 and I still remember how exotic and hot it was after so many years of rainy British seaside stays.

Don't want to bore on but a few more random thoughts, endorsing what other posters have said.

Insurance is a must - with all conditions declared.
Assistance if you need it could be really useful. Especially for those bigger airports where sometimes you have to walk what feels like miles.
Hold bag great idea then the small permitted bag is freed up for documents, medication, change of clothing
If you need the extra space then buy something at duty free and bung it in that bag. I do use a bumbag so I've got passport and phone to hand.

Great idea to wear jacket with lots of pockets for storing hankies, cough sweets, cereal bars etc.

Ryanair aren't great but they're ok. Never felt unsafe on them but equally never felt valued. As others have said Easyjet will seat you together which is obviously important on this first trip.
Take water bottles to top up at fountains after security. Otherwise it's expensive in the bars etc. Usually there's a Boots or WH Smith for a meal deal for the flight.
Apologies for wanging on...I'm just excited on your behalves! Hope you all have an amazing time!!

@Fattabby Don't know if you've used it before but Rome 2 Rio can be really useful. As well as Google maps of course

@lobeydosser great post.

OP definitely look at Jet2, they fly daily or several times a week from Bristol to Spain and Portugal so you'll definitely be able to book 4 or 5 days.

The flight only prices look more expensive than EJ and RA but you get two large cabin bags that are enough for your trip. They also won't separate you so you don't have to pay for seats.

Or if you use EJ or RA I would book one hold bag between you then just take the small rree carry on bag.

I hope you have some great holidays. There's loads to see and do in Spain and Portugal we rarely go anywhere else. As well as the beach, there's loads of historical and cultural stuff, great watersports, hiking, nature. I'm currently hiking in inland Andalusia, we've been to the Alhambra in Granada and later today I'm going to a spa.

OP - for "cabin bag" they are charging for - that is in addition to normal carry on backpack - so you could take a small wheely bag plus your daybag/backpack and not have to have a "checked bag" in the hold.

If the flight is over booked often they take peoples larger cabin bags into the hold anyway.

Thanks again for all your help and thoughts. I've sorted out my thoughts on luggage! Given who we are as a family (not highly organised, one son ASD and can obsess a lot over detail, so choosing what to pack is hard work), and how much I value not worrying about things, I think our best bet is a 'couple of cabin bags and a hold bag'.

I don't think now we're going to get away over Easter, having looked at various options. I think I would rather hold out for a proper full week later in the year. With travel to airport/transfer etc, we're looking at a whole day travelling to get there and back, for three days actual holiday. I know travelling is part of the holiday, but I feel like we'll only just have got settled in and started to explore by the time we have to come back. We have got options over summer, and also in the autumn. If we can get away twice this year, after not having been for years, that would be ideal.

The specific suggestions here are hugely helpful, thank you so much. The choice is just overwhelming if you've got no idea where to start. Also the tips about mobility assistance. I was thinking I would just manage, with the kids to help me, but while I'm a lot better than I've been in years, if help is available, I'll take it. I feel much more on top of things, and very glad I asked here!

a tip on the packing front: make a list to pack and keep it then cross off anything you didn't use or overpacked when you get back and add things you wish you'd taken or needed to buy while you were there and use that next time you go away. If you're going somewhere warm then packing is a lot easier than somewhere with a mixed climate!

With travel to airport/transfer etc, we're looking at a whole day travelling to get there and back, for three days actual holiday

We deliberately take the slight unpleasantness of an early morning flight as it means we can get a late lunch on arrival, checking in around 3-5 ish and do a first day shop for essentials. Sometimes we even have an hour or two on the beach.

On the way back we often fly back in the evening so have the last day still 'on holiday'. If you stay in a hotel they will store your luggage and often even have a shower you can use.

I fly from Bristol a lot, with Ryanair and EasyJet. Their cabin bag sizes are slightly different, Ryanair is less generous. If you only have the under seat allowance and don’t pay for anything extra, you must be able to get everything in that bag. You might get away with a bum bag under your coat/jacket but they’ll spot anything like a shoulder bag.

You don’t all need a larger cabin bag, just book as many as you need between you. DH and I will often book one of us as priority with an extra bag and the other not.

If you want to sit together on Ryanair you will need to choose and pay for your seats. EasyJet tend not to split you up when you check in but Ryanair always do. If it’s a full flight, as it often is, you’re stuck with the seats they allocate. But often people switch around once the flight has taken off.

https://amzn.eu/d/04jbagHn

My whole family travel with these, they are the exact size for Ryanair and you can fit quite a lot in. Never had a problem with them. I have however been fined £60 for a wheeled case where the case fitted into their sizer, but not the wheels, so be careful with your measurements.

My experience is they don’t challenge people with rucksack type bags. I’ve just bought a hard shell case with detachable wheels and am going to try it out in March.

OP, I just wanted to say you're going to have so much fun!!!

Don't stress about it being a picture perfect holiday. And something is bound to go wrong, but that is all part of the fun.

Funnily enough, one the holiday memories my family most often reminisce and laugh about is the holiday where me and my mum had a very overly dramatic argument over something very trivial.

I am incapable of travelling light. Now flying with DS4, we always check in one bag into the hold. No restrictions on liquids/sharp objects. Just be careful to check what isn't allowed. Lithium batteries for example, so battery charging packs have to be in hand luggage due to fire risk in the hold. There's a standard check list of what you can't pack.

We usually fly with just, under-seat hand luggage. Every airline is different as are airline staff. Sometimes they let you through, other times they are jobsworths measuring to the last millimetre.

I always fly with a small handbag/cross over bad with passports/wallet and phone as women's clothing doesn't always have pockets! Grrr. And you need this stuff to hand without rummaging. Only once have I been stopped by EasyJet and made to fit it inside another bag. So it can happen. As someone else said, at the gate strategically position it so it's not in full view.

I don't have cabin approved hand luggage, just regular day backpacks. Coats, etc you can carry over your arm so don't overstuff the hand luggage. As long as it fits under the seat you should be fine.

Going through security you can have as many bags as you want. Its only when boarding you need to be streamlined.

It is complicated even if you’re a frequent traveller!

I like to take a medium size suitcase for even a few nights break. The same case usually weighs about 10kg - 15kg for a week to two weeks. I always check it in, and pay for extra check in if it’s not included. I can’t be bothered with the liquid rules for hand baggage.

Sometimes if it’s a complicated trip with several flights I do a table of all the luggage allowances and then work out the most restrictive and make sure it complies. On some cheaper flights the free carry on bag allowance is very small - nowhere near a normal size day rucksack.

Good luck and enjoy!