Your allowance is written on your own booking, and it can differ from your friend’s. Read it before you pack, then again before you leave for the airport.
It is easy to feel anxious about this, especially if you are carrying gifts, medicine and clothes for changing weather. A few checks now save an argument at the counter.
Where do you find the allowance?
Open the booking on the airline’s site or app. Look for the fare rules or the baggage section, which lists what your fare includes.
- Checked bag: included or paid separately.
- Cabin bag: the number of items and their size.
- Changes: whether you can add a bag later.
Save a screenshot, because mobile data can be slow inside terminals. Our guide to booking domestic flights in China as a Malaysian shows where to look.
Why can two tickets differ?
The allowance depends on the airline, the fare and sometimes the cabin. If you connect from an international flight, the two tickets may not follow the same rules.
On a budget fare, extras can be charged separately. Our guide to Spring Airlines and budget carriers shows what to check. Add the extras to the fare before you decide which ticket is cheaper.
How should you pack for flights and trains together?
Pack to the smaller limit. The official rail limit is 20 kg for adults and 10 kg for children, with each item at most 130 cm on C, D and G trains, though bags are rarely weighed[1]. If your flights allow more, you can still keep to the rail number for peace of mind.
Choose one large bag that you can lift and one small bag for the day. See how much luggage fits on high-speed trains for what to expect on the platform.
What if your bags are too heavy?
You have three choices before you reach the airport.
- Pay for the extra bag or weight online, where you can see the price first.
- Move items into a second bag instead of overloading one.
- Send bags ahead between cities by courier.
Our guide to sending luggage ahead between cities explains how this works, and luggage storage at stations and airports helps on the day you check out.
What should you do next?
Weigh your bags at home, photograph the fare rules and note what you will wear on the plane. Then put any extra bag fees into the budget planner so your group total is accurate. Check the airline’s rules for batteries and liquids on its site before you pack carry-on items.