carryon

ONE in five holidaymakers have crammed at least a week’s worth of luggage into a carry-on bag this summer to avoid expensive fees.

A poll of 2,000 adults who travel found an ambitious 11 per cent reckon they could squeeze 10 days or more of holiday essentials into hand luggage alone.

While five per cent would even attempt to fit everything they need for a two-week holiday into a single cabin bag.

It also emerged 58 per cent admitted they’ll go to great lengths to avoid splashing out on expensive checked luggage fees.

Half will roll clothes as tightly as possible to save space, and 44 per cent will carefully plan outfits so they can wear the same clothes more than once.

While 34 per cent will wear their bulkiest clothes while travelling and one in five will ditch physical books in favour of a tablet to save precious bag space.

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And a savvy 13 per cent have used a duty-free carrier bag to sneak extra belongings onto the plane.

But it’s not just clothes and holiday essentials getting the space-saving treatment, as 72 per cent think their smartphone is the most important item they pack for their holiday after their passport.

The research, commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold8, found that when packing, smartphones replace cameras (62 per cent), maps (55 per cent) and boarding passes (45 per cent) while abroad.

Four in five (81 per cent) prefer their smartphone to be compact enough to fit easily into a pocket or small bag, as they increasingly do the job of multiple holiday essentials.

With 69 per cent saying the size and portability of their device is important, as it can do almost everything they need from one item, replacing other items they may need to pack (41 per cent).

Spokesperson Annika Bizon said: “I’m quite ruthless about what earns its place in my luggage when I’m travelling.

“When you’re trying to pack for a weekend away, or even a family holiday, every bit of space counts, so I love anything that can do more than one job.

“Technology is a big part of that.”

Almost three quarters (74 per cent) said they have booked, or would consider booking, a holiday at the last minute – making lighter, more flexible travel increasingly appealing.

The study from OnePoll.com found a third of travellers prefer to travel light, with 58 per cent claiming it makes the journey easier.

In fact, almost half (48 per cent) consider it a badge of honour when they successfully squeeze their carry-on bag into an airline bag sizer at the airport.

But 52 per cent worried their carry-on will be deemed too big when taking a flight, with 36 per cent having previously struggled to fit their carry-on within the maximum size limit.

And three in 10 have had to pay an average of £39 because their carry-on was deemed too big.

Annika Bizon, from Samsung, added: “If one device can help you navigate, keep your travel documents to hand, capture the moments you want to remember and provide on-the-go entertainment, there’s no need for extra items.

“For me, technology really earns its place when it makes life simpler, and Galaxy Z Fold8 is a prime example of that.”