Carry-On Only for London: Airlines, Airports, and Packing Tips

London is an excellent carry-on destination if you choose your airline and airport carefully. British Airways offers one of the best carry-on allowances on the transatlantic and European routes that feed Heathrow — no weight limit, a large size allowance, and a second underseat bag included. Budget carriers like easyJet and Ryanair require a bit more planning, but their rules are manageable once you understand what the fare tiers actually include.

British Airways: The Most Carry-On-Friendly London Option

British Airways allows one cabin bag of up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm with no weight limit in economy class. You may also bring one additional small personal item (a handbag, laptop bag, or small rucksack) that fits under the seat. The combined allowance is generous and removes most of the anxiety from carry-on only travel on BA.

British Airways operates primarily from Heathrow Terminal 5 (for most longhaul and many European routes) and Terminal 3. T5 is a well-designed terminal with fast security and a good range of shops and restaurants. If you are flying to London and have flexibility in carrier choice, BA into Heathrow T5 is among the smoother carry-on experiences at any major European hub.

easyJet: Large Cabin Bag Requires an Add-On

EasyJet operates from both Gatwick and Luton into the London market. Its carry-on policy has two tiers. Every passenger can bring a small bag (45 × 36 × 20 cm) in the cabin for free. A large cabin bag (56 × 45 × 25 cm) requires one of the following: the Hands Free bag service (easyJet tags and manages the bag, placing it in overhead storage), upfront or extra-legroom seats, or a bundle fare that includes a large cabin bag.

For most carry-on only travelers on easyJet, purchasing the large cabin bag add-on or an upfront seat is the reliable approach. Without it, your large bag will likely be placed in the hold at the gate — free of charge, but not in the cabin.

Ryanair: Priority Boarding Keeps Your Bag Overhead

Ryanair serves London Stansted and London Luton from across Europe. Every passenger can bring a small personal bag (40 × 20 × 25 cm) at no cost. A large cabin bag of up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and 10 kg is included with priority boarding, Plus fares, and Flexi Plus fares. Without priority, your large bag will be taken at the gate and placed in the hold — still free, but not in the cabin.

For carry-on only travel on Ryanair, the simplest approach is to purchase priority boarding when booking. The cost is usually a few euros or pounds and guarantees your bag stays in the overhead bin. Ryanair gates fill quickly and non-priority passengers are boarded last, which means overhead bins can already be full by the time standard fare passengers board.

London's Airports

Heathrow (LHR): The UK's busiest airport and one of the largest in Europe. Terminal 5 handles British Airways' main operations and is among the most efficient terminals at Heathrow — dedicated security lanes, clear wayfinding, and good airside facilities. Terminals 2 and 3 handle international carriers and the Star Alliance. Allow at least 2.5 hours for international departures from Heathrow. The Elizabeth line now connects Heathrow directly to central London in around 35–40 minutes.

Gatwick (LGW): Gatwick has two terminals — North and South — connected by a free shuttle train. The journey between terminals including walking takes around 30 minutes. EasyJet operates primarily from the South Terminal. Gatwick is well-connected to London Victoria by the Gatwick Express (around 30 minutes). For budget airline travelers, Gatwick is often a smoother experience than Stansted.

Stansted (STN) and Luton (LTN): Both are primary hubs for Ryanair and budget carriers. They are more basic in facilities than Heathrow or Gatwick, with limited seating, expensive food, and slower security at peak times. Both are roughly 50–60 minutes from central London by train or coach. Budget 2.5 hours from your accommodation to the gate for these airports.

Packing for London

Compact umbrella: London's weather reaches into your plans without warning in every season. Pack a small folding umbrella that fits into a side pocket. At 200–250 grams it costs you almost nothing in weight and saves you from being soaked on the way to a theatre or dinner. A packable rain jacket is an alternative that doubles as a wind layer — useful on the Thames riverside or in open parks.

Layers for variable conditions: London temperatures range from below freezing in winter to mid-30s°C in summer heatwaves. A layering approach — a base, a mid-layer, and a packable outer — handles more of the range than a single heavy jacket and packs more efficiently. In summer, light layers also manage the temperature contrast between warm outdoor streets and cold air-conditioned tube carriages.

One smart outfit for theatre and restaurants: London's West End theatre scene, its restaurants in Soho and Covent Garden, and smarter venues around Mayfair and Kingsbridge expect smart-casual. A clean blazer or a simple dress handles most evening scenarios without taking significant space.

Comfortable shoes for the Underground and walking: The London Underground involves stairs, escalators, and often significant walking between platforms. The District and Piccadilly lines have no lift access at many stations. Pack shoes that handle extended walking on hard floors and some stair-climbing. Cobblestones are less prevalent than in Amsterdam or Edinburgh, but Covent Garden, Borough Market, and parts of the City have uneven surfaces.

Getting Around London

The Oyster card and contactless payment both work on all TfL services including the Underground, buses, Overground, and Elizabeth line. Tap any contactless bank card or phone directly at the yellow readers — no separate card purchase needed. The daily price cap on contactless means you will not overpay regardless of how many journeys you take in a day.