Cabin Backpack for Flights, City Breaks and Short Trips

Which cabin backpack is right for your trip?

The best cabin backpack depends on your destination, the length of your trip and what you need to pack. For a weekend away or short city break, a compact travel backpack may provide all the space you need. For business travel or a longer trip, look for a practical internal layout, a separate laptop compartment and easy-access pockets for your passport, phone and travel documents.

Planning to take a backpack as hand luggage on a flight? Pay close attention to its dimensions and weight. Airlines set their own cabin baggage allowances, and the permitted size can also vary according to the fare or ticket you have booked. Always check your airline’s current hand luggage requirements before travelling.

Different journeys call for different features:

• Air travel: compact dimensions, low empty weight and efficient use of packing space
• Weekend breaks: enough room for clothing, footwear and everyday essentials
• City breaks: comfortable shoulder straps and quick access to belongings while on the move
• Business travel: a dedicated compartment for a laptop, tablet, documents and accessories
• Multi-stage journeys: comfortable carrying and maximum freedom of movement when changing between plane, train and public transport

A good hand luggage backpack combines useful packing space with carrying comfort and travel-friendly dimensions. If you would like to compare other options, explore our wider range of travel luggage for flights, holidays, weekend breaks and business trips.

Cabin suitcase or backpack: which is better for travelling?

Choosing between a cabin suitcase or backpack largely depends on how you prefer to travel. A suitcase offers a structured shape, protects your belongings and is easy to wheel across smooth surfaces. A cabin backpack, on the other hand, gives you greater freedom of movement and is particularly useful if you walk a lot, use public transport or regularly encounter stairs during your journey.

A cabin suitcase and backpack each have their own advantages. If you are mainly travelling by plane and have relatively short distances to cover on foot, a compact cabin suitcase can be very convenient. If flexibility and mobility are more important, a backpack as hand luggage is often the better choice. It keeps your hands free and makes it easier to move through airports, railway stations and busy city centres.

Want to compare your options? Browse our collection of suitcases for holidays and short trips. If you prefer to carry your luggage on your back, explore our wider selection of backpacks for travel, work and everyday use.

Wheeled cabin backpack: the flexibility to wheel or carry

Prefer not to choose between a suitcase and a backpack? A cabin luggage backpack with wheels can offer the best of both worlds. These versatile travel bags combine wheels and a telescopic handle with shoulder straps, allowing you to switch between wheeling and carrying depending on your surroundings.

At the airport or railway station, you can wheel your bag comfortably behind you. When you reach stairs, uneven surfaces or crowded public transport, you can carry it as a backpack instead. A wheeled cabin backpack is therefore particularly useful for journeys that combine flights, trains and other forms of transport.

What size backpack can you take as hand luggage?

When choosing a backpack for hand luggage, the external dimensions are just as important as the capacity in litres. There is no single cabin bag size accepted by every airline. Size and weight allowances vary between airlines and can also depend on the fare or ticket you have booked.

When selecting your cabin backpack, check:

• the maximum external dimensions allowed by your airline
• the permitted weight for cabin baggage or hand luggage
• the empty weight of the backpack itself
• a practical internal layout that makes efficient use of the available space
• enough capacity for the length and type of your trip
• comfortable shoulder straps if you expect to carry the backpack for longer periods

Always check your airline’s latest cabin baggage rules before you travel. This can help you avoid additional charges or having your hand luggage backpack placed in the hold at the boarding gate.

What should you look for when buying a cabin backpack?

A good cabin backpack should do more than simply meet your airline’s size requirements. It should be comfortable to carry, easy to organise and durable enough for regular travel. A practical internal layout, low empty weight and hard-wearing materials can make a noticeable difference, particularly if you frequently travel by air.

When choosing a backpack for hand luggage, consider the following features:

• Carrying comfort: padded, adjustable shoulder straps make the backpack more comfortable to carry over longer distances.
• Internal organisation: separate compartments for clothing, travel documents, electronics and personal belongings help keep everything organised.
• Durable materials: hard-wearing materials are particularly important if you regularly use your backpack for flights, city breaks and holidays.
• Low empty weight: the lighter the backpack itself, the more of your airline’s weight allowance remains available for your belongings.
• Easy access: your passport, phone, wallet, charger and other travel essentials should be quick and easy to reach.
• Compression straps: these can help keep your belongings secure and make efficient use of the available packing space.

Cabin backpack with laptop compartment for business travel

Travelling with a laptop? A cabin backpack with laptop compartment is a practical choice for both business trips and short breaks. A separate, preferably padded compartment keeps your laptop or tablet protected and away from clothing and other travel essentials, while also making it easier to organise your hand luggage.

For business travellers, quick access to a laptop, documents, cables and other accessories can be particularly useful. An easily accessible laptop compartment can also make airport security checks more straightforward. Explore our collection of laptop backpacks for work, everyday use and travel.

Eastpak cabin backpacks for travel

Brand can also be an important consideration when choosing a travel backpack for hand luggage. Eastpak is known for functional backpacks and travel bags with practical storage, hard-wearing materials and distinctive designs. Depending on their dimensions, different models can be suitable for weekend breaks, city breaks, holidays, business trips and everyday use.

Whether a particular Eastpak model can be taken as a cabin backpack on a plane always depends on its external dimensions and the baggage allowance for your airline and fare. Check the measurements of your chosen backpack against the airline’s latest hand luggage requirements before travelling.

How to pack a cabin backpack efficiently

Smart packing helps you make the most of the limited space inside your cabin backpack. Place heavier items close to your back to improve weight distribution, and use easy-access pockets for belongings you need regularly during your journey. This helps keep your bag organised without having to unpack everything each time you need your passport or charger.

Rolling clothing or using packing cubes can help separate clothes, accessories and other travel essentials while making efficient use of the available space. Keep your passport, travel documents and anything you may need during the flight within easy reach. This way, your hand luggage backpack stays organised from check-in through to your final destination.

Buy a cabin backpack online at Maes & Hills

With the right cabin backpack, you can travel comfortably, stay organised and enjoy greater freedom of movement. Whether you are heading away for a weekend break, planning a city break, travelling for business or flying abroad on holiday, choose a backpack with the right dimensions, capacity, organisation and carrying comfort for your journey.

At Maes & Hills, you will find a carefully selected range of backpacks and travel luggage for different types of trips. Compare models by size, empty weight, internal compartments, laptop storage and carrying comfort. This makes it easier to find a travel backpack for hand luggage that works not only for your next flight but also for future holidays, weekend breaks and business trips.

Still deciding between a cabin suitcase or backpack? A compact suitcase is convenient if you prefer to wheel your luggage, while a backpack offers greater freedom of movement and keeps your hands free. If you want the flexibility of both, a wheeled backpack with shoulder straps can be a practical alternative.

Buy your cabin backpack online at Maes & Hills and choose from practical models for air travel, weekend breaks, city breaks and business trips. You can also benefit from secure payment options and a 60-day return period, giving you plenty of time to choose the backpack that best suits your travel needs.

Frequently asked questions about cabin backpacks

Is a suitcase or backpack better for hand luggage?

It depends on how you travel. A cabin suitcase has a structured shape and is easy to wheel over smooth surfaces. A cabin backpack gives you more freedom of movement and is particularly convenient for stairs, public transport, connecting journeys and longer walks.

Can I take a backpack as hand luggage on a plane?

Yes, a backpack can generally be taken as hand luggage provided it meets the size and weight requirements of your airline and booked fare. Always check your airline’s current cabin baggage allowance before travelling.

What size backpack can I take as hand luggage?

There is no universal size that applies to every airline. Maximum dimensions can vary between airlines and may also depend on the fare you have booked. Always compare the external measurements of your backpack with your airline’s latest hand luggage rules.

How many litres should a cabin backpack be?

The ideal capacity depends on the length of your trip, how much you pack and the external dimensions permitted by your airline. A compact backpack may be sufficient for a weekend break, while a longer trip may require more capacity. The airline’s maximum permitted dimensions should always take priority over volume alone.

What is the best cabin backpack for a weekend away?

For a weekend break or short trip, look for a compact travel backpack for hand luggage with an efficient internal layout. It should provide enough room for clothing, toiletries and personal belongings without adding unnecessary weight. If it meets your airline’s cabin bag requirements, you may also be able to travel without checking in hold luggage.

Which cabin backpack is best for carrying a laptop?

If you travel with a laptop, choose a cabin backpack with laptop compartment. A separate padded compartment helps protect your device and keeps it away from clothing and other belongings. For business travel, easy-access pockets for documents, chargers and other accessories are also useful.

Can a wheeled backpack be used as cabin luggage?

Yes, provided its total external dimensions and weight comply with your airline’s requirements. A wheeled cabin backpack can be rolled like a trolley and carried on your back when necessary, making it particularly useful for journeys involving several forms of transport.

What cabin backpack can I take on Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways or Jet2?

The cabin backpack you can take depends on the airline and the fare you have booked. Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, Jet2 and other airlines have their own rules for cabin bags and hand luggage. Always check the latest size and weight allowance directly with your airline before travelling.