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How do you travel with a duffel bag?

Be sure the size of your duffel bag does not exceed carry-on size or weight restrictions.
  1. Pack your ID and travel documents in the outer pockets for easy access.
  2. Use packing cubes to separate and organize contents.
  3. Carry a duffel bag that can double as a gym bag or excursion bag at your destination.




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Smaller duffle bags are ideal for air travel, and most airlines will let you carry them onboard as your free personal item. Just make sure you can squash it under the seat in front of you.

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Duffel bags are less secure than hardshell luggage, which provides a protective barrier for packed items. Duffel bags can also be awkward to carry when packed with heavy items. Last, duffel bags (vs. suitcases) are not as easy to keep organized unless you use packing cubes and other accessories.

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The cons of using duffel bags include their size and unruliness. Duffel bags can be quite large and difficult to carry around for long periods of time. They can also be difficult to pack and unpack, particularly if you have a lot of belongings.

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Checked Luggage The most common maximum size bag allowed is 62 linear (total) inches. A common size bag for checking through is: 27 x 21 x 14. Airline carriers will allow overweight, oversize or additional baggage for additional fees.

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Your duffle, purse, or backpack must not exceed 7 x 15 x 16 inches (17.8 x 38.1 x 40.6 cm), and you must store it underneath the seat in front of you. Here are the websites of popular airlines to check the up to date information: American Airlines.

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Storage Capacity There are extra pockets on the inside and outside of most suitcases as well, allowing for even more storage space. Unlike duffel bags, suitcases will not fit well in smaller spaces like under a bed, in a shared room or inside lockers.

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In the majority of cases, a duffel bag won't be considered a personal item, as they usually exceed the typical maximum size of 18 x 14 x 8 inches or 45 x 35 x 29 cm. However, they will often be classed as a carry-on bag, if they are within the average limit of 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 56 x 36 x 23 cm.

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While it may vary from airline to airline, the maximum duffel bag carry-on size is typically 22 x 14 x 9 inches for flights within the U.S. Bag size limitations on international flights can vary, so always check ahead of time on the airline's website.

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In British English, the same kind of bag is called a sports bag. A holdall (or occasionally hold-all) may be a similar bag but may often have wheels and possibly a telescopic handle.

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Is toothpaste considered a liquid by the TSA? Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag.

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A good rule of thumb is that if your carry-on bag fits under the seat in front of you, it's considered a personal item. This includes small backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags, etc. Larger bags, including suitcases, must fit in the overhead bin compartment.

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Most major airlines allow you to bring one carry on and one personal item in the cabin with you. For every airline, your personal item must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. You can use a duffle bag as a personal item on top of a carry on item.

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Backpacks, totes, and crossbody bags are typically considered personal items too. The key to remember is it must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. A carry-on is a type of hand luggage that you bring into the plane cabin with you and is larger than a personal item.

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While personal item size restrictions vary across airlines, most airlines consider a small backpack, purse, briefcase, or laptop bag to be a personal item. These must always fit under the seat in front of you. Many airlines restrict passengers to one personal item and one carry on bag.

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