Come Fly With Me: Tips and Tricks for Budget Travel Packing

For many of us, part of the St Andrews draw is the opportunity to hop on a plane and travel to wherever your heart desires. However, not all that glitters is gold and while you may not have to sacrifice your wallet for an exotic adventure, you will have to sacrifice your closet. Here are my top tips on packing for a budget airline.

First and foremost, the key is to have a good bag. For Ryanair and EasyJet, the cabin bag size allowance is 40cm x 25cm x 20cm, and, unless you somehow manage to bat your eyelashes and sneak through the line, anything over will stick you with a nasty £60 fee. Amazon sells a variety of bags that meet these sizing requirements, as well as brands like Calpak, Longchamp and The North Face. I recommend a soft-sided bag, which can be more easily squeezed into the sizing boxes at the airport, and will have a little extra stretch for any spontaneous purchases. I also highly recommend a duffle bag with backpack straps. Wheels will take up extra space when measuring your bag, and the last thing anyone wants is to lug a heavy bag around the airport, up and down stairs, and anywhere else you might find yourself on the way in or out of your selected destination. 

Reading week can be especially challenging to pack light considering the amount of time you’ll be gone for. My first tip is to layer on the plane. Wearing your bulkiest coats and sweaters on the plane will save space for other stuff in your bag. Add a scarf that can be used for warmth and modesty depending on your destination.

Second, you don’t need as much as you think you do. This can be challenging, but I’ve realised that most of the time, any ‘extras’ I bring, I only end up wearing once or twice. The biggest ‘extra’ is shoes. It can be tempting to bring a variety of options in case you go out or for the prime photo op, but really, all you need is one basic. My go-to is a pair of white sneakers; they’re cute, versatile, and most importantly comfy. Alternatively, I would bring a pair of black boots, as long as they are comfortable for walking long distances. Regardless, at the end of the day, the most important thing is to be comfortable and in any pictures you take or places you go, no one is going to notice a neutral pair of shoes. It’s much better to save space for some shopping than to lug around a clunky pair of shoes you’ll only wear once. 

The next tip is probably the most obvious: pack a capsule wardrobe. Although it may be boring, sticking to neutrals will help you have a diverse range of outfits while saving space in your bag. A pair of jeans is a must and, depending on the weather of your chosen destination, I’d bring one other neutral pair of pants, a pair of tights, and a mini skirt. All these items can be dressed up or down for any occasion and can be worn indefinitely with endless combinations of outfits. Chances are, you’ll have a coat covering most of the outfit either way. 

In addition to bottoms, I’d pack a few neutral long sleeves to layer, one or two lightweight sweaters, socks and underwear. The key here is material. To save space and also stay warm, pack clothing items made with wool or cashmere. For sleepwear, my space-saving hack is to bring a T-shirt and leggings. These can double as pyjamas, layers if you end up in colder weather than anticipated, and workout clothes in a pinch. 

Finally, for makeup and skincare, keep it simple, travel sizes are your best friend, and it’s always a good idea to bring shampoo and conditioner, just in case you end up somewhere without any. 

Ultimately, do what’s best for you to be happy and comfortable, but I hope these tips and tricks can help make your trips smoother and easier. And wherever you end up - have fun!