Hi. I'm going to London and Norwich UK for 2 weeks at the end of May. I was told that i can use a backpack as my purse and still take a small carry-on suitcase as my regular carry-on bag. Is this true? Oh and I'll be flying on United Airways if that makes a difference. Any input will help. Thanks

You will need to check also with your airline and what UK airports you are flying out of but London's Heathrow and Gatwick both permit a regular sized carry-on suitcase and a purse or whatever small second item. If your backpack is the normal book bag type one it should be fine as the second item. But I have seen them at those airports be very strict and make you put your carry-on suitcase in the sizer to confirm. For example I watched them make a woman fold up her wedding dress she was carrying in one of those long white garment bags just to prove it could fit in the sizer. See www.heathrowairport.com and gatwickairport.com for dimensions allowed by the airport security.

You'll likely be fine on the way there (not sure where you're flying from), but when departing from London (LHR specifically), I have had them make me stuff my purse in my carry-on before going through security. They told me that one carry-on item was permitted, not a purse/backpack and carry-on like I thought.

Laurie_Ann is right that they are VERY strict there for whatever reason, so I would plan ahead and check. Good luck!

Are you flying in and out of Heathrow?

From Heathrow's website:

Can I take a handbag and a piece of hand luggage?

Yes

For a while Heathrow only allowed one carry on but they have since changed that rule. I last flew out of Heathrow in December and we were allowed two. You still need to check with your specific airline.

my backpack is the size of a kids for school and i will be flying out of Dulles in D.C. and into Heathrow so will I still be able to use it?

also it would be helpful for me to know in advance how much a 7 day travelpass for the tube would be and is it cheaper to buy in person or online.

I flew British Airways out of LHR on April 8 and I carried on 1 rolling computer bag and 1 regular computer bag. I stuffed my purse into one of the bags til I got on the plane. No problems at LHR or Nice.