What is SAS Scandinavian Airlines' carry-on weight limit?

SAS allows one cabin bag up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm weighing a maximum of 8 kg. SAS also permits a laptop bag or small personal item as a second item, which is a notable advantage over carriers that count everything in one allowance.

Does SAS count a laptop bag toward the carry-on limit?

No. SAS allows a laptop bag or personal item in addition to your main cabin bag. The laptop bag must fit under the seat in front of you. This exemption effectively expands your total carry-on capacity compared to airlines that allow only one bag.

What does Norwegian Air allow for carry-on luggage?

Norwegian allows one cabin bag up to 55 × 45 × 24 cm with a maximum weight of 10 kg. This is more generous than SAS on weight. A small personal item that fits under the seat is also permitted. Norwegian's fares are unbundled, so check what is included when booking.

Is Copenhagen good for cycling with a carry-on bag?

Yes. Copenhagen's bike-share system (Bycyklen) and rental shops are excellent. A compact carry-on is far better suited to a cycling trip than a large wheeled suitcase. A small daypack worn on your back while cycling beats a roller bag every time for day-to-day movement in the city.

What is the weather like in Copenhagen and how should I pack layers?

Copenhagen has cool, damp, and variable weather for most of the year. Even in summer temperatures rarely exceed 22 degrees Celsius and rain is frequent. Pack a base layer, a mid-layer such as a fleece or merino jumper, a waterproof outer shell, and a light scarf. This layering system handles most Copenhagen weather without overpacking.

Carry-On Only for Copenhagen: Airlines, Packing, and Tips

Copenhagen is one of the best European cities for carry-on-only travel. The city rewards small bags: it is flat and bicycle-friendly, the metro is clean and easy to navigate, and you do not need to lug luggage across cobblestones or up narrow hotel staircases. SAS's laptop bag exemption and Norwegian's generous 10 kg limit make the airline side straightforward. The main packing challenge is Scandinavian weather — cold and unpredictable for most of the year, requiring smart layering rather than bulk.

Airline Carry-On Rules at a Glance

Airline	Cabin Bag Size	Weight	Personal Item
SAS Scandinavian Airlines	55 × 40 × 23 cm	8 kg	Laptop bag (underseat)
Norwegian Air Shuttle	55 × 45 × 24 cm	10 kg	Small item (underseat)
Ryanair (Priority)	55 × 40 × 20 cm	10 kg	40 × 20 × 25 cm underseat
easyJet (Flexi or FLEXI add-on)	56 × 45 × 25 cm	No weight limit	Small bag underseat

SAS: Laptop Bag Exemption Is Worth Knowing

SAS allows a laptop bag or small personal item under the seat in addition to your 8 kg cabin bag. This is a real advantage for business travelers and anyone carrying camera gear, a laptop, or a tablet. If your heaviest single item is a laptop, packing it separately in the laptop bag means your cabin bag is weighed without it.

SAS enforces the 8 kg cabin bag limit at check-in on busy Scandinavian routes. Copenhagen Airport (CPH) has active weight checks at SAS check-in desks. Arrive knowing your bag weight.

SAS sells multiple fare types — SAS Go Light, SAS Go, SAS Go Smart, and SAS Business. The cabin bag allowance (one bag at 8 kg) is included in all economy fares. Only Go Light limits you to a personal item without a cabin bag overhead, so avoid that fare if you are bringing a full carry-on.

Norwegian: More Weight, More Options

Norwegian Air Shuttle's 10 kg allowance is meaningfully more generous than SAS on weight. The 55 × 45 × 24 cm size limit is also slightly larger in width. Norwegian fares to Copenhagen are often significantly cheaper, making it a strong option if you can pack within 10 kg — which most travelers can.

Norwegian's fare structure is unbundled. The cabin bag is included in Low Fare+ and Flex fares but must be added for the base Low Fare. Check at booking whether your fare includes overhead cabin bag access or only an underseat personal item.

Cycling Copenhagen: Pack Light by Default

Copenhagen has one of the world's most developed cycling infrastructures. Bycyklen electric bike-share bikes are available across the city. Rental shops are cheap and abundant. Cycling is the single most enjoyable way to explore the city — Nørrebro, Frederiksberg, and the harbour area are all reachable by bike in under 20 minutes from the centre.

A compact carry-on or travel backpack is by far the best bag type for a cycling trip in Copenhagen. A wheeled roller bag is difficult on bike paths and awkward to manage when your hotel is down a pedestrian or cycling street. If you have a choice of bag type, pick a soft-sided backpack-style carry-on for Copenhagen.

Cycling packing adjustments:

Leave fashion trainers at home — cycling in them is fine but padded bike shorts under casual trousers improve long rides
A lightweight rain layer is non-negotiable if you plan to cycle; Scandinavian rain arrives without warning
Keep your bag's profile narrow enough to hang from handlebars if your rental includes a rack

Layering Strategy for Scandinavian Weather

Copenhagen's weather is variable across all seasons. Summer (June–August) averages 15–22 degrees Celsius but can drop to 12 degrees in the evening. Spring and autumn are cool with frequent rain. Winter brings grey days and temperatures from 0 to 5 degrees.

A three-layer system handles all of this without overpacking:

Layer	Item	Weight approx.
Base	Merino wool long-sleeve or thermal top	150–200 g
Mid	Fleece or merino jumper	300–400 g
Outer	Waterproof shell jacket	300–500 g

This combination covers a temperature range from 5 to 25 degrees. In summer you use only the outer layer; in winter all three together. The outer shell folds into its own pocket in most packable designs, taking minimal space.

Tivoli and Nyhavn: What to Bring

Tivoli Gardens is Copenhagen's historic amusement park in the city centre. Evening visits are particularly atmospheric when the park is lit. There is no dress code but the restaurants inside Tivoli are reasonably smart. A light layer for evenings in the gardens is wise from May onwards.

Nyhavn is the famous coloured-house canal district. It is primarily a waterfront area for eating and drinking. Comfortable walking shoes handle the cobblestones around Nyhavn well. Expect crowds from late May through August — the area becomes very busy and queues for the popular restaurants are long.

Copenhagen Airport (CPH): Practical Notes

CPH is a well-organized single-terminal airport with good amenities. Key details:

City access: Metro M2 runs directly from CPH to central Copenhagen (Kongens Nytorv and Vanløse direction) in around 15 minutes. Trains run 24 hours. Buy your ticket from machines at the airport station.
Security lanes: CPH uses modern lane equipment. Follow standard EU liquids rules (100 ml per container, 1-litre bag).
SAS hub: SAS operates most of its intercontinental and European flights through CPH. The SAS lounge is in Terminal 3.
Liquids at Duty Free: Liquids bought at CPH duty-free in sealed tamper-evident bags with receipt are permitted in the cabin on EU-origin flights.

Practical Tips

Pack a compact umbrella. Copenhagen rain is frequent and often light — a compact umbrella is more useful than a heavy rain poncho.
One smart outfit for evenings. Copenhagen's restaurant scene skews fashionable but not formal. Smart jeans and a decent shirt or blouse are appropriate for most places, including higher-end Nørreport and Vesterbro restaurants.
Merino wool is your best friend. Merino items pack small, do not hold odour, and work across a wide temperature range. One merino base layer can replace multiple cotton tops on a week-long trip.
Check Norwegian fares first. Norwegian prices to CPH are often 20–40% below SAS for equivalent routes. If your itinerary is flexible, the extra 2 kg of carry-on weight Norwegian provides is a bonus.

The Bottom Line

Copenhagen is carry-on-only territory by design. The city's cycling culture, flat terrain, and walkable centre favour a small bag. Norwegian's 10 kg allowance is the most generous of the main carriers. SAS's laptop bag exemption is useful if you carry electronics. Either way, pack in layers for Scandinavian weather and choose a backpack-style bag if you plan to cycle. You will not wish you had brought more.

Rules change — always verify with your airline before you fly.