Hand Luggage Only: What You Really Need to Pack (2026 Packing List)
Traveling with hand luggage only is liberating: no waiting at the baggage belt, no €30 to €60 surcharge per flight, and you walk straight off the plane and into the city. But it only works if you get two things right — choosing the right bag and packing smart. In this guide you will find the complete hand luggage packing list, the rules around 40x30x20, and why many travelers consider the Lundholm Underseater the ideal cabin bag.
Why hand luggage only keeps gaining ground
Traveling with hand luggage only saves you time, money and hassle. You do not have to check in early for a suitcase, you never lose your baggage, and with budget airlines a checked bag can quickly cost more than your ticket did. On top of that you are lighter and more mobile: handy on a city trip with a lot of walking, or when you have to switch between trains and gates.
The trick is fitting everything into a bag that slides under the seat in front of you. That is called an underseater — and it is exactly where your whole trip is made or broken. A bag with a smart, suitcase-style layout makes the difference between boarding relaxed and digging around in a panic for your boarding pass.
The golden rule: 40x30x20 and under the seat
Almost all airlines use 40 x 30 x 20 cm (length x width x height) for the free small piece of hand luggage. That size is no accident: a bag with these measurements fits under the seat in front of you. At Transavia, Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet this is the standard for your free bag; the weight limit is usually up to 10 kg.
The Lundholm Underseater is designed for exactly this size (40x30x20, 22 liters), which makes it cabin approved. The compression straps on the sides pull it in even tighter when you need that — so it slides under the seat without a fight.
What to bring: the complete hand luggage packing list
Below is the packing list for a weekend up to a week away with hand luggage only. Pack per category and tick things off — that way you forget nothing and keep it compact.
Documents and money (always within reach)
- Passport or ID card (check the validity: often it must be valid for 3 to 6 months after your return)
- Boarding pass — digital on your phone, with a screenshot as backup
- Debit card and a credit card, plus some cash in the local currency
- Travel insurance and a copy of important bookings
Electronics (never in checked baggage)
- Phone plus charger and cable
- Laptop or tablet — up to 15.6 inch fits in the padded back compartment
- Power bank (must go in your hand luggage, not in the hold)
- Universal travel adapter and earbuds or headphones
Clothing (roll it, do not fold it)
- 2 to 3 shirts or tops you can mix and match
- 1 extra pair of pants or a skirt in a neutral color
- Underwear and socks for each day, plus 1 spare set
- A light sweater or cardigan for the air conditioning and the evenings
- Compact rain jacket or thin windbreaker
Toiletries (maximum 100 ml per item)
- Liquids in a transparent bag, each container 100 ml at most
- Toothbrush, travel-size toothpaste, deodorant
- Medication in its original packaging, plus painkillers
- Sunscreen and a small lip balm
Comfort and extras
- Reusable water bottle (empty through security, fill it up afterwards) — fits in the dedicated bottle pocket
- A snack for the trip and a neck pillow
- Sunglasses in a hard case
- Foldable bag for souvenirs or the trip home
Packing smart: how to fit it all in an underseater
With the right technique, 22 liters holds a surprising amount. Roll your clothes instead of folding them — it saves space and creases. Put the heaviest items (laptop, shoes) against your back, so the bag carries more comfortably. Use packing cubes or the one-outfit-per-compartment principle so you never have to dig.
This is where the suitcase-style layout of the Underseater really helps: the bag folds open at the front like a suitcase, so you see everything at a glance and can lay it out side by side — instead of stuffing everything in from the top of a deep backpack. The many slip pockets keep your cables, passport and charger in fixed spots, so you can find them at security without looking.
The Lundholm Underseater
Suitcase opening, 15.6 inch laptop compartment, TSA lock and waterproof zippers — in beige or black.
View the Underseater →Why the Lundholm Underseater is the ideal hand luggage
There are plenty of cabin bags, but few that have really been thought through. With the Underseater that thinking shows in the details — exactly where it counts when you travel with hand luggage only:
- Suitcase opening: folds all the way open like a suitcase, for a clear view and quick packing
- Padded 15.6 inch laptop compartment at the back — your laptop sits protected and separate
- TSA lock on the back compartment for safe storage of valuables
- Fully waterproof material with waterproof zippers — your things stay dry in a rain shower
- Compression straps on the sides to pull the bag in more compactly
- Separate bottle pocket and several zip pockets for organized travel
- 40x30x20 / 22 liters — makes the most of the allowed space and fits under the seat
- Scandinavian design in timeless beige or black
In short: a beautifully designed bag in which everything has been thought of, with a layout that makes packing as clear as packing a suitcase. At €49.95 this is a cabin bag that is made to last.
Underseater — choose your color
The same well-considered design in two timeless colors. Both cabin approved (40x30x20) and in stock.
Bags and leather goods ship within the EU only. Jewelry ships worldwide. Free shipping within the EU from EUR 100.
Beige or black — which one do you choose?
On function alone they are identical; it comes down to taste. Beige is soft and light and works beautifully with a light summer wardrobe or a vacation look. Black is sleek and businesslike, hides wear and marks best and goes with any outfit — ideal if you also want to use the bag for work or a city trip. Not sure? Black is the safest for daily use, beige if you want to make a statement.
Frequently asked questions about traveling with hand luggage
What exactly is an underseater?
An underseater is a small bag or backpack that fits under the seat in front of you on the plane. The standard size is 40 x 30 x 20 cm. With most airlines it counts as your free hand luggage, budget carriers included.
What size may my hand luggage be?
For the free small bag, almost every airline uses 40 x 30 x 20 cm, with a weight limit of around 10 kg. The Lundholm Underseater is built to exactly this size (40x30x20, 22 liters), which makes it cabin approved.
Can I bring a power bank in hand luggage?
Yes, a power bank belongs in your hand luggage and is not allowed in checked baggage because of the lithium battery. Keep it within reach, because security staff sometimes want to see it separately.
How much liquid can I take with me?
Liquids are allowed in containers of up to 100 ml, together in a transparent, resealable bag of no more than 1 liter. Larger bottles are taken off you at the checkpoint, even when they are only half full.
Does a laptop fit in the Lundholm Underseater?
Yes. The Underseater has a padded laptop compartment at the back that takes laptops up to 15.6 inch. It sits separate and protected, so your laptop does not slide around between your clothes.
Is the Underseater waterproof?
The bag is made of fully waterproof material with waterproof zippers, so your things stay dry in an unexpected rain shower. The built-in TSA lock also protects your valuables on the road.
Have a great trip — and enjoy traveling with hand luggage only. Love, the Lundholm team
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