Why that monstrous suitcase is frowned upon by tour guides: The hidden cost of packing heavy |

There’s a popular saying in travel, “You bring it, you carry it.” On the surface, it sounds fair, and if you’re strong enough to haul a 32 kg suitcase across an airport, why shouldn’t you pack whatever you like?But if you take into account what many tour guides suggest, that logic collapses the moment a group tour begins. The loathe oversized luggage, and the reason isn’t about policing what travellers pack, but it’s about the unseen physical toll oversized bags take on the people who move them.

What’s the problem

Airlines may allow up to 32 kg per checked bag. They have aircraft cargo holds, conveyor belts, ground crews, and loading equipment designed for heavy freight. However, this is not the case with tour buses. Small group tours, overland trips, and city-based excursions operate with limited luggage compartments. And unlike airports, there are no mechanised belts to assist. In many cases, it’s the tour leader, driver, or hotel staff physically lifting each suitcase in and out of vehicles multiple times a day.Read more: The mold-covered hotel room, the sticky pillows…things I never thought I would experience in NainitalRepeatedly lifting oversised cases isn’t just inconvenient, it can cause injuries. Tour guides described suffering back pain, muscle spasms, and even torn shoulder injuries over the years due to handling heavy luggage. A single 30 kg suitcase might not seem excessive. But multiply that by 15 or 20 travellers, across multiple hotel check-ins and check-outs, and the strain adds up quickly.For many in the tourism industry, guides, taxi drivers, hotel porters, bus drivers, oversized luggage is an occupational hazard.

The space problem

Beyond weight, there’s the issue of volume. Tour vehicles have finite storage capacity. Large hard-shell suitcases eat into shared compartment space, making packing the vehicle a daily logistical puzzle. When every traveller pushes the limit, space disappears fast. Companies often specify luggage restrictions, such as one bag under 20kg, for this exact reason. Ignoring those limits can slow down departures, complicate loading, and create tension within the group.

Signs your bag might be too big

The guide offered a few blunt indicators that your luggage might be excessive:

Learning to travel lighter

The solution isn’t necessarily to go carry-on only or become a minimalist backpacker. It’s about moderation. Packing lighter reduces stress, not just for staff, but for you. Travelling across train stations, cobblestone streets, hotel staircases, and crowded sidewalks becomes easier. Transfers are quicker, and group departures also run smoother.Most importantly, it reduces the physical burden on those working behind the scenes.Tour operators set limits for logistical reasons and to protect their staff. When guidelines say one bag under 20 kg, it’s not a suggestion, it’s because they want to keep operations safe and efficient. Read more: Why Vietnam could be Southeast Asia’s most underrated vegetarian destination

A small change, but a big impact

For travellers, luggage often feels like a personal choice. For those working in tourism, it’s a shared responsibility. So before your next trip, take a moment to reassess that suitcase. Do you really need the extra pair of shoes? The backup jacket for every possible climate? The ‘just in case’ items that never leave the bag?Travel lighter, not just for convenience, but out of consideration.On behalf of tour guides, hotel staff, taxi drivers and bus drivers worldwide, the message is simple: If you can pack thoughtfully and respect luggage limits, everyone benefits.