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How to Fly With Only a Trolley and a Backpack: The Airport Survival Guide
October 23, 2026
To fly with only a trolley and a backpack without checking a suitcase, choose a hard-shell trolley measuring 55x40x20 cm and a flexible backpack measuring 40x25x20 cm that fits exactly under the seat. Roll your clothes, pack in dedicated packing cubes, cut liquids down to 100 ml bottles, and wear the heaviest items on the flight itself.
The lesson from Ben Gurion Airport: why is everyone switching to carry-on?
In recent weeks we've seen on social media, especially in viral reports and videos on Instagram, unbelievable images of thousands of lost suitcases piled up in the passenger halls at Ben Gurion Airport. Repeated breakdowns in the baggage handling systems, along with a severe staff shortage, have turned checking a suitcase into a real gamble on how much grief your vacation will bring. The lesson for travelers is crystal clear: the safest way to make sure your gear arrives at the destination with you is to switch to carry-on only, a winning combination of a regulation-size trolley and a personal backpack that both go with you into the cabin.
The rules of the game: what are the allowed carry-on dimensions?
Before you start taking clothes out of the closet, you need to understand the airlines' rules of the game. Most low-cost airlines (such as Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet) as well as the major full-service airlines (such as El Al) divide carry-on baggage into two clear types:
- Small personal item (Personal Item): a backpack or crossbody bag that must fit under the seat in front of you. The most common dimensions are around 40x25x20 cm.
- Trolley / carry-on suitcase (Cabin Bag): a small suitcase meant for the overhead bin. The standard dimensions are 55x40x20 cm, usually with a weight limit of 8 to 10 kg.
So you won't be surprised by unnecessary fees at the boarding gate, we've gathered the common dimensions at the most popular airlines flying from Israel:
| Airline | Personal backpack (under the seat) | Trolley (overhead bin) | Maximum trolley weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Al | 38x30x18 cm | 56x45x25 cm | 8 kg |
| Wizz Air | 40x30x20 cm | 55x40x23 cm (paid) | 10 kg |
| Ryanair | 40x20x25 cm | 55x40x20 cm (paid) | 10 kg |
| EasyJet | 45x36x20 cm | 56x45x25 cm (paid) | 15 kg |
The art of packing: how to squeeze a whole week into a trolley
The big secret of frequent flyers isn't giving up important items, but making smart, precise use of the suitcase's volume. With a few simple techniques, you can easily pack enough for a week or even more:
- The rolling method (Ranger Rolling): instead of folding clothes flat in the traditional way, roll them into tight, dense rolls. This method prevents wrinkles and saves up to 30% of the free space in the suitcase.
- Using packing cubes: packing cubes are a game changer. They let you divide the suitcase into zones (shirts, underwear, pants), push the air out and keep things perfectly organized throughout the trip.
- The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule: for an average trip, pack at most: 5 pairs of socks and underwear, 4 shirts, 3 pairs of pants or skirts, 2 pairs of shoes (one on you and one in the bag), and one hat or coat.
- Use the dead space: don't leave empty gaps. Put socks, chargers or small accessories inside the shoes you packed in the suitcase.
The personal backpack: your command center during the flight
While the trolley holds most of the clothes, your backpack (the bag placed under the seat in front of you) should hold everything you need within immediate reach and your most valuable items. Dividing the bag correctly will keep you from having to open the trolley in the middle of the airport:
In the backpack, keep your important documents and wallet (preferably a secure wallet with RFID protection against digital credit card theft), all your electronic devices (laptop, tablet, chargers and power bank), and of course your toiletry bag and medication. Remember that lithium batteries and power banks are strictly prohibited in the hold and must go with you into the cabin in any case.
Liquids are also critical: the 100 ml rule still applies at most airports around the world. Make sure all your creams, toothpaste and perfumes are packed in small bottles inside a clear resealable bag, placed at the top of the backpack so you can pull it out quickly at security.
Advanced tips for the smart, experienced traveler
To ensure a smooth, quick passage through the airports, we've gathered three winning tips from frequent flyers:
1. Wear the heavy layers: don't waste precious suitcase space on bulky items. Wear your winter coat, your heaviest jeans or your big walking shoes on the flight itself. You can easily take them off right after boarding and put them in the overhead bin.
2. Weigh the bag at home: don't wait for the check-in counter or the boarding gate to find out you went over the weight limit. Buy a small handheld luggage scale and make sure you're within the limits of the airline you're flying with.
3. Get a smart ID tag: even when you don't plan to check a suitcase, on especially full flights the ground staff sometimes have to move trolleys to the hold right at the boarding gate (at no charge). Make sure your trolley has a quality, clear ID tag with your details, and if possible, put a smart tracking device (like an AirTag) inside it so you always know exactly where your gear is.
Based on a report: Last week suitcases went missing at Ben Gurion Airport when it collapsed. Next week, when students go back to school ...
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Frequently asked questions
Can I take an empty water bottle on a plane?
Yes, definitely. Liquids over 100 ml can't pass through the security checkpoint, but a completely empty bottle is no problem. After security, you can fill it with cold water for free from the fountains around duty free.
What happens if my trolley is slightly over the allowed dimensions?
On strict low-cost airlines, ground staff may ask you to put the trolley into a metal sizer at the boarding gate. If the bag doesn't fit easily, you'll have to pay a hefty fee on the spot and the bag will be sent to the hold. It's best not to take risks and to fly with bags of exactly the right size.
How do I manage laundry on long trips with only a trolley?
If you're traveling for more than a week, the best solution is to plan laundry at the destination. You can use the hotel's service, find a self-service laundromat, which is a great local experience in itself, or simply wash light items in the room's sink with a little liquid soap.
Can I take a power bank in my trolley?
Yes, and more than that: power banks and lithium batteries must travel in carry-on baggage only. Airlines prohibit sending power banks in the hold because of the fire risk, so they must stay with you in the cabin throughout the flight.
How do I prevent wrinkles when rolling clothes?
Rolling actually reduces wrinkles compared to regular folding, because it avoids sharp fold lines. To get the best result, smooth the fabric well with your hands before you start rolling, and pack delicate fabrics or button-down shirts in packing cubes that keep them snug.
Can you really fly for a whole week with carry-on only?
Absolutely. By using packing cubes, rolling clothes tightly and wearing the bulkiest, heaviest items on the flight, you can easily pack clothes and gear for 7 to 10 days in a trolley and a small backpack.
What is the "personal item" allowed in addition to the trolley?
A personal item is usually a small backpack, a crossbody bag or a laptop bag that must fit under the seat in front of you (common dimensions are around 40x30x20 cm). It's the perfect place to keep valuables, documents, phones and a laptop.
What do I do if the crew asks to send my trolley to the hold at the boarding gate?
On very full flights, sometimes there's no room left in the overhead bins and the crew asks to send trolleys to the hold at no charge. In that case, it's important to immediately take out of the trolley your valuables, power banks (which are prohibited in the hold), medication and laptop, and take them with you into the cabin in your small backpack.
