What Size Suitcase Do I Need? Our Guide To Cabin, Medium & Large Cases
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Picking the right suitcase size can make packing much simpler, whether you are heading away for a few nights or planning a longer holiday.
The right size will also depend on what you are taking. Lightweight summer clothes need less room than coats and boots, while extra shoes, toiletries or shopping on the way home can quickly fill a case. In this guide, we are here to help you choose between cabin, medium, and large suitcases, as well as when a travel bag or vanity case may be useful. So, are you ready to set off?
Choosing The Right Suitcase Size For Your Trip
The length of your trip is the easiest place to start, but it doesn't need to be a strict rule.
Cabin, medium and large suitcases mainly differ in how much packing space they provide. Cabin cases are the most compact and work well for shorter trips, medium cases give you more room while remaining easy to manage, and large cases provide the most capacity for longer holidays or bulkier packing. Exact dimensions vary between ranges, while cabin size limits also vary by airline.
From there, think about what you normally pack. A warm-weather break may only need lightweight outfits, swimwear, and sandals, while a colder trip can quickly fill the same suitcase with knitwear, coats, and heavier footwear.
How you travel matters too. A smaller case can be easier to manage through train stations and busy cities, while the extra space of a larger suitcase may be more useful when you are checking your luggage and staying in one place.
Cabin Suitcases For Weekends & Short Breaks
For a few nights away, a cabin suitcase can keep your packing simple. It usually offers enough space for a small selection of outfits, toiletries, and travel essentials without taking a larger case than you need. Cabin luggage is particularly useful for city breaks, overnight stays and short trips where you will be moving between airports, stations and hotels.
If you plan your outfits and keep extra shoes to a minimum, you may also be able to use a cabin case for several days away. Cabin suitcases are available in a range of sizes, including traditional overhead cabin cases and smaller underseat options.
Always check the cabin allowance included with your booking before travelling, as size and weight limits vary by airline and fare.
Medium Suitcases For A Week Away
A medium suitcase is a practical choice for many week-long holidays. It gives you more room for clothing, shoes and toiletries than cabin luggage without moving straight to a large case.
For a summer holiday, a medium suitcase can often provide enough room for a week away, or even longer if you pack lightly. For colder trips, the same space can fill faster with jumpers, jackets, and boots. Expandable medium suitcases can also help if you want extra flexibility for packing and space for souvenirs on the way home.
Large Suitcases For Longer Holidays
If you are going away for around two weeks or longer, a large suitcase gives you more packing space. It can also be useful for trips where you need bulkier clothing, several pairs of shoes or outfits for different parts of the holiday.
Some travellers also choose a large case when sharing luggage, although it is important to keep the airline weight allowance in mind when packing for more than one person. However, if you are a light packer, you may not need to move up to a large suitcase simply because you are travelling for longer. It only depends on you and how to make your luggage work best for you.
How Your Packing Style Affects The Size You Need
Two people travelling for the same number of days may need completely different suitcase sizes. If you prefer to travel light, a cabin or medium case may be enough for trips that another traveller would use a larger suitcase for.
If you like to have plenty of outfit choices, take several pairs of shoes or pack full-size toiletries, you may benefit from a little more room. Before choosing your suitcase, think about what usually takes up the most space.
Clothing can often be reduced by planning outfits in advance. Shoes, coats and larger toiletries are harder to compress and may be a sign that you need more capacity.
It is also worth thinking about the journey home. If you normally return with shopping, gifts or souvenirs, leaving some space before you travel can make repacking much easier.
What Size Suitcase Do I Need For 20kg Or 23kg?
A 20kg or 23kg baggage allowance refers to the weight of your packed suitcase including the suitcase itself, not its physical size. This means there is no specific 20kg or 23kg suitcase.
A medium suitcase may have enough room for everything you need while still staying within your allowance. A large case gives you more physical space, but you still cannot exceed the weight included with your booking. This means that what you pack makes the difference. Coats and clothing can take up a lot of room without adding too much weight, while shoes, books and toiletries can make a suitcase heavy even when there is still space inside.
Tripp Tip: Weigh your suitcase after you finish packing rather than judging it by how full it looks. A portable luggage scale can help you check the weight before you travel.
When You Might Need Something Other Than A Suitcase
Sometimes, choosing the right luggage does not mean moving up to a bigger suitcase. For shorter trips or when you simply need a little extra space, a travel bag or vanity case may be a more useful addition.
When A Travel Bag Can Be More Useful
For an overnight stay, weekend away or journey by car or train, a travel bag can offer enough room for the essentials while being easy to carry and store. It can also work alongside your main suitcase when you want certain items to stay separate or be easy to reach.
This can be useful for travel documents, technology, an extra layer or anything you may need during the journey. If you are flying, check whether your fare includes an additional bag before travelling.
When To Add A Vanity Case
If smaller travel essentials take up more space than expected, a vanity case gives them their own space without forcing you to upgrade to a larger case. A vanity case keeps toiletries, cosmetics, and other essentials together and separate from your clothing. It also makes items easier to find when you arrive, rather than having smaller items packed throughout your suitcase.
A compact vanity case, such as the Breeze Vanity Case, can be a useful addition and fits most airlines' underseat luggage allowance. As with any additional piece of luggage, check your airline allowance to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Which Suitcase Size Is Right For You?
The right suitcase should give you enough room for what you actually need without leaving you with more luggage than necessary. Start with the length of your trip, then think about your destination, how you usually pack and how you will be travelling.
If you only need a little more organisation or space for smaller essentials, a travel bag or vanity case may be more useful than moving up to a larger suitcase. And if you are flying, always check the size and weight allowance included with your booking before you travel.
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What Size Suitcase Do I Need For A Weekend?A cabin suitcase is usually suitable for a weekend or short break. If you are travelling particularly lightly, a travel bag may also provide enough room.
What Size Suitcase Do I Need For A Week?A medium suitcase is a good choice for many week-long holidays. You may need more or less space depending on your destination, clothing and packing habits.
What Size Suitcase Do I Need For Two Weeks?A large suitcase is often useful for two weeks away, particularly if you are taking bulkier clothing or several pairs of shoes. Light packers may still be able to use a medium suitcase.
Should I Choose A Medium Or Large Suitcase?A medium suitcase is a good choice for around a week away and can also work for longer trips if you pack lightly. A large suitcase gives you more room for longer holidays, bulkier clothing or shared packing.
What Size Suitcase Do I Need For 20kg?A 20kg allowance refers to the maximum packed weight rather than the size of your suitcase. A medium suitcase will often provide enough space, although this depends on what you are packing.
What Size Suitcase Do I Need For 23kg?There is no specific suitcase size for a 23kg allowance. Both medium and large cases can be suitable as long as the packed suitcase stays within the airline's weight limit.
What Is A Cabin Size Suitcase?A cabin suitcase is designed to travel in the aircraft cabin rather than the hold. Dimensions vary between airlines, so check the allowance included with your booking before travelling.
- 14th September 2026
