EXCLUSIVE I'm a packing expert - here's how to really get around Ryanair's strict luggage rules

Daily Mail​

24-06-2025

As someone who 'hates paying for luggage', Chelsea Dickenson has almost perfected the art of packing.
'Ryanair are NOT getting any more of my money,' the avid traveller laughs.
Better known as @holidayexpert, Chelsea – who once took a Uniqlo sling bag for three days in Albania - has exclusively revealed to MailOnline Travel her top tips for packing a week's holiday worth of clothes into a 40x20x25cm bag.
She also reveals how you MIGHT be able to get away with a bag that's slightly bigger than the strict measurements on budget flights.
'I feel like my life's work is me trying to get away with bigger bags than I should,' she says. 'The main thing is airlines often do not check how big your bag is, and do not care, but I've heard of people being fined, so you can get unlucky, and that's a risk you choose to take.
'However, if you do decide to take anything that's bigger than the restrictions, I would choose a backpack over a suitcase, as the wheels on the floor will instantly make the staff think it's a bit too big.
'So keep your bag on your back and don't be turning and twisting.
'Also, be nice, and have your passport and boarding pass ready, so you don't have to do any scrambling around. You don't want to give them an extra second to think it through.'
Another trick is to actually carry some of your luggage on you.
In the past, Chelsea says she's taken the cushioning out of her travel pillow and stuffed some of her clothes in there, and she's even gone as far as wearing a fishing vest, which she filled the pockets of.
'They may weigh your luggage, but they don't weigh you,' Chelsea says. 'Your pockets are your best friend!'
But Chelsea says you 'don't need as much stuff as you think' – and one of her biggest tips for keeping the luggage light is writing an outfit list on her phone's Notes app.
She says: 'I write out what I'm going to wear every single day, because how many times do we pack three or four extra items and 20 pairs of pants? Why do we do it to ourselves?
'It really helps. I have to be really strict with myself, and I let myself have one extra spare piece of clothing that I'm allowed to take with me, and that's it.'
Another 'absolute win' for Chelsea are compression packing cubes, some of which are available for £11.99 from Amazon.
She adds: 'These are just like standard packing cubes, but with an extra zip that flattens everything down.
Toifucos Travel Packing Cubes (Set of 8)
Helping keep you organised when packing, the Toifucos Travel Packing Cubes could help save you time and free up valuable space.
The set comes with eight different sized bags, including shoes, toiletries and drawstring bags - perfect for separating your dirty holiday clothes.
In one TikTok video, uploaded by solo traveller, @discoverwithemma, she said: 'I've seen these compression packing cubes all over TikTok.
'They actually save so much space because they have an extra zip.'
£11.99 Shop
'You can then roll all the other smaller bits around these cubes.'
Something else Chelsea always makes sure she packs is a little travel health kit she makes herself.
She explains: 'Rather than taking the full boxes of all your different medicines, blister plasters, paracetamol and Imodium – which can take up so much space - you can just cut off the right amount that you might need and put them into a little travel pouch in their sachets.'
Chelsea packs her toiletries in a similar way – and never uses full-size bottles of her favourite products.
'It's all about the decant,' she says. 'I have a cardboard box under my bathroom sink full of travel minis, stuff I've stolen from hotels, and loads of empty bottles.
'When you realise you can actually take your normal shampoo and conditioner away with you, and you don't have to use the hotel stuff, it's revolutionary.
'Also, remember to keep that clear bag they give you at the airport for your next holiday – don't chuck it away, as that's going to be so helpful in the future.
'If not, a sandwich bag always does the trick.'
When it comes to your shampoo and conditioner, Chelsea has even found a hack recently that means it doesn't even need to count as one of your liquids.
She says: 'There are these shower caps which have shampoo and conditioner in them, and you can just put them on your head, massage it in, and then brush it out – and you've got clean hair.
'They're usually used for people living in care homes, but they're great for festivals too, as you don't need water!
'Boots sells them for £3.25.'
But if you do need bigger bottles of suncream or baby formula, Chelsea recommends ordering online from Boots and doing Click and Collect, so you can pick it up at the airport after you're through security.
She says: 'If you're a family and you need four big bottles of sun cream, just get it at the airport instead, and save that space in your luggage, so you don't have to carry it around with you.'
Chelsea has teamed up with Boots to create holiday bundles for the beach, festivals and adventure trips – and shoppable packing lists too.
The three bundles are £20 each, consisting of five to seven products and with savings of over £10.
'The new summer bundles and online packing lists at Boots make it easier than ever to feel prepared, stay organised, and enjoy every moment of your holiday,' Chelsea finishes. 'And if you do forget something, Boots items via Deliveroo are just a click away with delivery in as little as 20 minutes!'
Some other seasoned female solo travellers have also shared their go-to accessories, devices, clothing items and bags that offer practicality, convenience, comfort, and safety during their trip.
Recommending travel hooks to her followers on TikTok, @jemmastravels said: 'When I was in Asia I would have wet bikinis, or in Europe I'd have smelly shoes that I didn't want in my bag, and I could just hook them to the outside of my backpack and go from hostel to hostel. Could not recommend them enough.'
Another TikToker, @kayli.kiing, encouraged fellow solo travellers to invest in soap bar bags, adding: 'I love shampoo and conditioner bars, but I hated dealing with them after a shower.