Baggage Allowance Guide for Indian Students Traveling Abroad [2025]

International students flying overseas can benefit from some great airline perks to make their travel cheaper and more convenient, including an increased baggage weight limit for international flights for students. By getting more weight allowance or additional pieces included in your ticket, you can carry all you need for your overseas study more easily. Do check the full details of your international student luggage allowance with the airline in advance to avoid excess baggage fees.

This guide covers the student baggage allowance for international flights on some major airlines. We’ll also introduce Wise as a great option for anyone studying abroad, with low cost international payments which use the mid-market rate.

Understanding Baggage Allowances for International Flights

When you buy a flight ticket you’ll usually find there are limits on both the checked baggage which goes in the aircraft’s hold, and the cabin baggage which you can keep with you as you fly. The allowance for each depends on the airline, route and ticket class - but as a student you might qualify for additional baggage to make your journey more convenient.

You’ll need to check the student extra baggage allowance on your international flight carefully before you travel. On some routes, the amount of checked baggage you can take is set by weight - so you can carry one or more cases, as long as you don’t exceed the limit. On other routes, there’s ‘piece concept’ which means limits apply on the number of items you can check in, as well as the weight of these items.

Usually the lowest baggage limits apply to economy class flights - you may be able to increase your limit by upgrading to premium economy or business tickets.

Extra Allowance Benefits for International Students

Each airline sets their own eligibility rules for extra baggage for international students. You can’t simply arrive at the airport with your cases - you’ll need to buy a specific ticket type, and prove you’re eligible under the airline’s policy. While the rules can vary, this usually means:

• You must meet the airline’s age requirements - usually either 12 years and older, or 18 years and older
• You must be studying full time in an eligible institution
• You must be able to prove your student status with a student ID or official documents

Excess Baggage beyond Included Benefits

It’s important not to exceed the amount of baggage you are entitled to carry as part of your flight ticket, if you want to avoid excess baggage fees. If you arrive at the airline with more bags, or carrying more weight than your ticket allows for, you will be charged high excess baggage fees by the airline at check in.

If you know in advance you will have more baggage than your ticket allows, you can buy this excess baggage in advance, which often brings down the cost. Check your preferred airline’s excess baggage policy carefully so you know what to do.

Top Airlines with Generous Student Baggage Allowances from India

Let's get a roundup of the student baggage allowance amounts from some major airlines so you can pick which might suit your own personal needs.

Air India International Baggage Allowance for Students

Air India has some excellent flight deals for international students¹, which you can access simply by selecting ‘student’ as the passenger type when you book your tickets. You’ll need to then present a suitable ID on arrival at the airport to prove you qualify for this ticket class. As well as some great discounts on the costs of both domestic and international travel, the Air India international baggage allowance for students Air India is pretty generous, to make it easier to carry everything you need when relocating for studies. Here’s a roundup.

Baggage allowance for students: 10 kg additional baggage on domestic flights, and 10 kg above the normal allowance for your ticket type on international flights. Where luggage is set by a ‘piece’ concept, you can take 2 pieces - so 2x 23 kg in economy, or 2x 32 kg in business.

Other perks: Up to 25% off domestic bookings, special discounts on international flights, free date change, no convenience fee for domestic bookings in the Air India app.

Air France International Baggage Allowance for Students

Air France may be your carrier of choice if you’re an international student from India heading off to or connecting via France. You can get student benefits on economy flights on long haul destinations - such as your flight to France - as long as your round trip is at least 21 days long. As well as getting a discount on some flight tickets, you get a pretty generous baggage allowance - here are the details.

Baggage allowance for students: 2 pieces of checked baggage, each up to 23kg for free.

Other perks: Variable discounts depending on the flight you select and waived or discounted flight change fee, depending on the destination.

Emirates International Baggage Allowance for Students

Emirates student flight offers include discounts on both economy and business flight tickets, and increased baggage allowance⁴. If you’re studying in Canada or the US, unfortunately you can’t get additional baggage on your flight with Emirates - but other perks can still apply. Here is what you need to know if you’re considering booking your next trip with Emirates.

Baggage allowance for students: Additional 10 kg, or 1 extra piece on top of the allowance included in your ticket type. This offer does not apply on flights to the US and Canada.

Other perks: 10% discounts on economy and 5% on business class tickets.

Qatar Airways International Baggage Allowance for Students

Qatar Airways has a really strong student programme which includes incremental discounts⁵ which go up the more frequently you fly, cheap tickets for your friends and family, and on board wifi. On top of all that you can get additional baggage allowance which may be set by weight or piece, depending on the route you’re flying. Here are the details.

Baggage allowance for students: Additional 10 kg, or 1 extra piece on top of the allowance included, depending on your flight route.

Other perks: Up to 20% discount on flight ticket prices, on board wifi, share benefits with a friend or family member, 2 date changes for free, upgrade your Privilege Club tier after graduation.

Singapore Airlines International Baggage Allowance for Students

With Singapore Airlines you’re entitled to a generous baggage allowance⁶ if you get verified as a student by uploading some supporting documents to your Krisflyer account. This means you get discounted tickets, and can carry 40 kilograms of baggage, even on an economy class flight. This is a good offer which can save you lots of money versus paying in the airport for excess baggage, making it well worth signing up. Here are the details.

Baggage allowance for students: Economy and Premium Economy flights have 40 kg of baggage on routes other than US and Canada, where you get 3x 23kg allowance. In business you get 50kg, or for US and Canada 3x 32kg.

Other perks: 10% discount on select flights and free date change.

Packing Tips for International Students

When it’s time to pack your bags to study abroad, you’ll need to think carefully to work out what needs to come with you - and what you can safely leave at home. Here are a few tips.

• Ask your university or school overseas for guidance on what study materials are needed so you don’t carry things unnecessarily
• Avoid carrying consumables which can be purchased at your destination if you can
• Prepare for the climate wherever you’re heading - if you need different clothing based on the weather in your new home, you might find it easier to buy items on arrival
• Make sure all valuables are in your carry on, including documents - and have some spare clothes in the cabin, too, in case your hold luggage is delayed
• Get travel insurance with travel inconvenience cover which can help out if your bags go missing, are damaged or don’t arrive on time
• Check the weight of your cases carefully to avoid excess baggage fees - if you have more than your ticket allows, buy your extra allowance in advance to keep the costs as low as possible

Meet Wise: Convenient Online Money Transfer from India

Paying for overseas study can be expensive. Save on international transfer costs by using Wise to remit funds for your university expenses and living costs. Wise offers international transfers from India for education, travel and medial purposes with low, transparent fees and mid-market exchange rate on currency conversions.

Send Money with Wise 👉

With Wise, you can send your transfer from your phone or laptop with a completely digital process and online kyc for remittances to bank accounts abroad.

Wise Account for International Students

For international students starting their journey abroad, opening a local account as soon as you can will make it much easier to handle your money, pay bills, and receive transfers. For a great student account alternative, check out the Wise Multi-Currency Account, which is free to open and has no minimum balance requirements.

Open your Wise Account 🚀

Available to residents of supported countries, Wise provides you local account details in 8+ currencies, plus international transfers with the same mid-market exchnage rates and low, transparent fees - which can be great for sending money back home.

While the exact features and fees do vary from place to place, the Wise Account can be a powerful tool to help you make the most of your overseas education. Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.