Size and weight limits differ between airlines and even between fare types. Carry-on bags usually stay under 56 cm in height, 45 cm in width and 25 cm in depth, including wheels and handles. Weight caps often sit between 7 and 10 kilograms. Checked bags allow more volume but the weight limit is commonly 23 kilograms for standard fares. Heavier bags trigger extra fees at the counter.

Liquids in carry-on must follow the 100 millilitre rule. Each container stays at or below that amount and all of them fit inside one clear plastic bag of roughly one litre. The bag goes through security separately. Larger bottles of shampoo, water or perfume belong in checked luggage. Exceptions exist for medicines and baby food, but you may need to show them and explain.

Sharp objects stay out of the cabin. Knives, scissors with long blades, and most tools cannot travel in hand luggage. Place them in the checked bag instead. The same applies to most aerosols and flammable items. Lithium batteries have their own limits. Spare batteries usually travel in the cabin, not in the hold, and they need to be protected from short circuits.

Prohibited items in both bags include explosives, compressed gases in certain forms, and strongly toxic substances. Security lists are long, yet the practical ones that catch travellers most often are oversized liquids, forgotten scissors, and power banks that exceed capacity rules. Check the official aviation security page for the destination country if the route is international. Rules can tighten on some flights.

To prepare luggage so it passes without issues, weigh the bags at home with a simple scale. Leave a small margin under the limit because airport scales sometimes read a little higher. Pack liquids last so they stay easy to remove. Keep electronics near the top of the carry-on for quick access at the scanner. Close all zippers fully and make sure nothing hangs outside the bag.

Name tags help if a bag goes missing. Write the phone number and email clearly. For checked luggage, avoid packing valuables or important documents. Those stay with you in the cabin. Fragile items need extra padding and should be marked if the airline offers that option.

At security, place the clear liquids bag, laptop and any large electronics in separate trays. Shoes and belts often come off too. Having everything ready speeds the process and reduces the chance of a secondary check. If something is refused, the options are to put it in checked baggage if still possible, or leave it behind.

A final walk-through of the packing list the night before catches most problems. Once the bags are closed and within limits, the rest of the journey becomes simpler.