Ryanair 2026 Baggage Allowance: New Rules, Sizes & How to Never Pay Extra
Ryanair can be hilariously cheap… right up until your “small backpack” becomes a paid-for personality trait at the gate. If you’ve ever watched someone kneel on a suitcase like they’re trying to tame a wild animal, this guide is for you.
I’m going to walk you through what you can bring for free, what you’ll pay for, what triggers the dreaded “bag sizer audition”, and how to choose the right option so you don’t get stung. We’ll cover the under-seat bag rule, Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, check-in bag choices, overweight fees, family rules, and what actually happens when your bag is bigger than your allowance. Calm, clear, and designed to keep your money in your holiday budget where it belongs 🧳✈️
Ryanair Baggage Allowance: Quick Facts at a Glance
✅ Free personal bag: 40 x 30 x 20 cm and it must fit under the seat in front
✅ Default ticket = one small under-seat bag, nothing else in the cabin included
✅ Priority & 2 Cabin Bags = under-seat bag plus 10kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) overhead
✅ Biggest fee triggers: oversize at the gate, buying bags late, overweight kilos
✅ Cheapest win: measure at home, then book the right bag early
✅ Reality check: bag sizers are not decoration, and staff are paid to spot oversize bags
✅ Weekend trip move: under-seat bag (or Priority if you’re bringing a wheelie case)
✅ Week-long trip move: usually a 10kg check-in or 20kg check-in bag
✅ Family basics: 2 baby equipment items free per child, plus a baby bag up to 5kg for lap infants
✅ Borderline bag plan: go soft-sided, pack squishy, and avoid rigid corners
🤚 Must-do: Do a 60-second “home sizer test” before you leave: measure your bag packed, not empty. Packed bags grow ego.
Quick Ryanair Baggage Allowance Q&As
What is Ryanair baggage allowance?
The default is one free under-seat personal bag, with paid options for an overhead cabin bag and checked bags.
What size bag is free on Ryanair?
A small personal bag up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm, stored under the seat in front of you.
What does Priority & 2 Cabin Bags include?
Your free under-seat bag plus a 10kg cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm for the overhead locker.
Can I take a wheelie suitcase on Ryanair without Priority?
Not in the cabin. You’ll need Priority for overhead cabin, or buy a check-in option.
How much is a 10kg or 20kg checked bag on Ryanair?
It varies by route and date, but booking online is usually cheaper than airport or gate.
What happens if my bag doesn’t fit the sizer?
It can be refused or placed in the hold, and you’ll pay a gate fee.
What are Ryanair’s overweight rules?
Overweight is charged per kilo, and no single checked bag can exceed 32kg.
👉 Good to know: Fee conversions below use a rough rate of €1 ≈ £0.87 / $1.17. Real rates wobble like airport jelly.
Ryanair baggage allowance: the quick answer (free vs paid, in plain English)
If you do nothing at booking, you get one thing for free: a small personal bag that fits under the seat. That’s it. Everything else is an add-on, and Ryanair’s pricing nudges you to decide early rather than “sort it at the airport”.
The biggest money traps are predictable: bringing a bag that’s slightly too big, assuming your wheelie case counts as “small”, or waiting until check-in day to add baggage. The fix is also predictable (and blessedly boring): pick the right bag option for your trip length, then pack to the rule you actually bought.
Here’s the bird’s-eye view:
| Bag option | Size/weight | Where it goes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free personal bag | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | Under-seat | Minimal packers, 1–3 days |
| Priority & 2 Cabin Bags | + 10kg cabin bag 55 x 40 x 20 cm | Overhead + under-seat | Wheelie suitcase people, short breaks |
| 10kg check-in bag | 10kg | Aircraft hold | Weekends + shopping, bulky coats |
| 20kg check-in bag | 20kg (max 3) | Aircraft hold | 4–10 days, sharing between two |
| 23kg check-in bag | 23kg (max 1) | Aircraft hold | Heavier trips, fewer overweight surprises |
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If your bag choice feels like a coin flip, go with the option that removes gate decisions. Gates are where confidence goes to die.
✈️ Official Ryanair Cabin Bag Sizes and faqs
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What changed for this year (and what stayed annoyingly strict)
The headline change is the free personal bag size now being 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Ryanair also rolled out updated baggage sizers across its airports, so the “but my bag used to be fine” argument has… limited emotional impact.
Another very real shift is enforcement energy. Ryanair has talked openly about incentivising staff to catch oversize cabin bags, and media coverage around higher bonus payments has made more travellers hyper-aware of the sizer situation. Translation: if your bag is borderline, plan like you’ll be checked.
What did not change? The fundamentals:
- The default fare still includes only the under-seat bag.
- The cabin suitcase still sits behind Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.
- Buying bags later still costs more than booking online.
👉 Good to know: EU chatter about standardising cabin baggage has been rumbling on, but your day-to-day reality is still simple: follow Ryanair’s published dimensions, not internet folklore.
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The free personal bag rule (the under-seat test that matters)
Your free bag must be 40 x 30 x 20 cm and it must fit under the seat in front. Not “mostly under”. Not “if I angle it”. Under. Trust me, I’ve seen people turned away for a millimetre over.
The easiest way to win this game is to choose a soft backpack or squishy duffel that can compress a bit. Rigid bags are brave in a way that does not pay off. Also, measure your bag when it’s packed. A bag that behaves empty can become a chaotic cube once you add chargers, a hoodie, and snacks “for the flight”.
Safe-ish examples (in spirit):
- Slim backpacks
- Laptop bags
- Small soft holdalls
Risky examples:
- Hard-shell mini cases
- Overstuffed hiking packs with chunky frames
- Anything with wheels that’s “small-ish”
💡 Fact: The under-seat bag is the one rule Ryanair expects you to get right, every single time, without debate.
Priority & 2 Cabin Bags: what you get and who it’s actually for
Priority & 2 Cabin Bags gives you:
- Your free under-seat bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm)
- Plus a 10kg cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm for the overhead locker
This is the option for people who want their suitcase with them and don’t want to queue at baggage reclaim. It’s also handy if you’re doing a tight trip where you’re landing, dropping bags, and immediately sprinting towards tapas, museums, a wedding, or your mate’s stag weekend itinerary that was clearly written by a chaotic raccoon.
A quick “worth it if…” guide:
- Worth it if: you have a wheelie cabin case, you hate waiting at baggage belts, you’re moving fast between places
- Not worth it if: you can genuinely fit under-seat, or you’re checking a bigger bag anyway
| Trip type | Priority yes/no | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 day city break | Often yes | Cabin case convenience |
| 4–5 days | Depends | Might be cheaper to check 10kg |
| Family with pushchair chaos | Sometimes no | You may prefer hold bags |
| Backpacker travelling light | Often no | Under-seat bag can be enough |
🤚 Must-do: If you buy Priority, still pack your under-seat bag like it’s the only bag you’ll keep with you. Gate changes happen and essentials should stay close.
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No Priority? Here’s what happens to your larger cabin bag
No Priority means your bigger cabin bag isn’t coming into the cabin as an overhead bag. If you turn up with a cabin suitcase anyway, you’re basically volunteering for one of two outcomes: it gets refused, or it gets put in the hold (if available) and you pay a fee.
Ryanair spells it out: non-priority passengers arriving at the gate with a bigger bag can be stopped, and the bag may be placed into the hold. This is where “I’ll chance it” becomes “I’m chancing my budget”.
What to do instead:
- If you need a cabin suitcase: buy Priority & 2 Cabin Bags
- If you don’t need it in the cabin: buy a check-in bag option
- If you’re borderline: switch to a soft under-seat bag and pack smarter
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Your goal is to decide your bag plan while you still have Wi-Fi and dignity, not while someone is behind you sighing dramatically.
10kg check-in bag: the sweet spot for lots of people (and the common mistake)
The 10kg check-in bag is ideal for trips where an under-seat bag is too tight, but a 20kg hold bag feels like overkill. Think: long weekend, winter coat territory, or “I’m definitely buying skincare” trips.
Here’s the common mistake: travellers assume “10kg check-in” means they can still bring a big cabin bag onboard. Nope. Check-in means it goes in the hold. You drop it at the check-in desk before security, then you travel through the airport with just your under-seat bag (and your snacks, obviously).
Best for:
- 3–6 day trips
- Heavy shoes, bulky layers
- People who want cheaper than Priority sometimes
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20kg and 23kg hold bags: when bigger saves money and when it’s a trap
If you’re doing a full week, travelling with kids, packing for cold weather, or sharing between two people, the 20kg option often works out better value than stacking smaller add-ons. Ryanair allows up to three 20kg check-in bags per booking.
There’s also a 23kg check-in bag option (up to one per booking). This is useful if you’re regularly flirting with overweight charges or you’re carrying heavier items and want a bit more breathing room.
Smart strategies:
- Couples/friends: one 20kg bag between two can be cheaper than two separate bags
- If you’re close to 20kg: 23kg might be better than paying per kilo
- Avoid the trap: don’t buy bigger “just in case” if you’re a natural light packer
💡 Fact: Bag pooling is allowed for check-in bags on the same booking, but no single bag can exceed 32kg.
Fees explained: booking vs later vs airport vs gate
Ryanair fees vary by route and travel dates, but the pattern is consistent: online is usually cheapest, airport is pricier, and the gate is the place your wallet goes to cry.
*Subject to change. Always check within Ryanair.com
| Scenario | Typical fee range | Cheapest way to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Priority & 2 Cabin Bags | €12–€36 (about £10–£31 / $14–$42) online, or €20–€60 (about £17–£52 / $23–$70) later/airport | Add it during booking if you need an overhead bag |
| 10kg check-in bag | €9.49–€44.99 (about £8–£39 / $11–$53) online | Add online, not at the airport |
| 20kg check-in bag | €18.99–€59.99 (about £17–£52 / $22–$70) online; €39.99–€59.99 (about £35–£52 / $47–$70) later/airport | Decide early and buy online |
| 23kg check-in bag | €29.99–€80.99 (about £26–£70 / $35–$95) | Choose 23kg upfront if you’ll be heavy |
| Buying a 10kg bag at airport bag drop | €35.99–€40 (about £31–£35 / $42–$47) | Don’t leave it to airport day |
| Trying to sort a 10kg bag at the gate | €46–€60 (about £40–£52 / $54–$70) | Add bags in the app before you travel |
| Excess weight on checked bags | €13 per kilo (about £11 / $15) | Weigh at home, shift items to under-seat bag |
If your flight lands late and you don’t want to drag heavy bags across town, booking a walkable base (or an airport hotel) via Booking.com can be the difference between “holiday mode” and “why am I speed-walking with blisters”.
🤚Must-do: If you only do one money-saving thing, do this: add the right bag online as soon as you know you need it.
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Bag sizers, strictness and borderline bags: how to pass without drama
The sizer test is simple: if it fits, you’re fine. If it doesn’t, you’re having an expensive character-building moment. Staff may check bags at the gate, especially if it looks big, rigid, or overstuffed.
How to pass without a public repacking session:
- Use a soft bag for the under-seat allowance
- Pack “squishables” on the outside (hoodies, scarves) so the bag compresses
- Keep hard items (chargers, toiletries) in the middle
- Don’t attach bulky water bottles to the outside like a hiking influencer
Quick measuring method at home:
- Pack your bag fully
- Measure height, width, depth
- If you’re close, repack so the depth shrinks (depth is usually the sneaky one)
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If your under-seat bag only fits when you breathe in and whisper apologies, it’s too big. Pick peace.
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Overweight and excess kilos: the sneaky fee that catches people out
Overweight fees are the quiet budget assassin. You might pass the size rules, feel smug, then get hit with an “extra kilos” charge because your suitcase is basically a portable wardrobe.
Key rules to remember:
- Excess weight is charged per kilo on checked bags
- The published excess fee is €13 per kilo at the airport (about £11 / $15)
- For safety, Ryanair won’t accept any individual checked item over 32kg
- Maximum dimensions for checked items are 80 cm (height), 120 cm (width), 120 cm (depth)
Practical fixes:
- Move dense items (shoes, jeans, toiletries) into your under-seat bag
- Wear your heaviest shoes and coat on travel day
- If travelling as a pair, use bag pooling on the same booking (as long as each bag stays under 32kg)
Families and infants: what’s free, what’s allowed, what’s a faff
Travelling with kids already involves enough logistics to qualify as project management, so here are the rules that actually matter.
For infants (8 days to 23 months):
- There’s no cabin bag allowance allocated to the infant
- If the infant travels on an adult’s lap, you can bring a baby bag up to 5kg, max 45 x 35 x 20 cm
- You can take two items of baby equipment free per child (think pushchair, travel cot, car seat type items)
For parents, the simplest flow is:
- Under-seat bag = essentials you need mid-flight (wipes, snacks, spare outfit)
- Check-in bag = everything else (because you will bring everything else)
💡 Fact: If you’re travelling with baby gear, build an extra 10 minutes into your airport timing. Not for the child. For the gear.
Sports gear and musical instruments: what Ryanair charges and how to plan
Sports equipment fees depend on the item type, and they can add up quickly, so it’s worth planning before you rock up with skis like you’re arriving at an alpine action film.
Typical examples of published one-way fees:
- Ski equipment: €45–€50 (about £39–£44 / $53–$59), max 20kg
- Golf clubs: €40–€50 (about £35–£44 / $47–$59), max 20kg
- Musical instrument: €60–€75 (about £52–£65 / $70–$88)
- Bicycle: €60 online (about £52 / $70) or €75 at airport (about £65 / $88)
- “Large sports item” fees can run €60–€70 (about £52–£61 / $70–$82)
Planning notes:
- Bikes must be packed in a protective box or bag and Ryanair does not accept e-bikes
- For delicate instruments, sometimes buying an extra seat makes sense if the item is cabin-safe and you want it with you
Avoiding fees: the real-world packing plan (step-by-step)
This is the no-drama plan. Boring. Effective. The travel equivalent of brushing your teeth.
Pick your bag option first
- Under-seat only for short trips
- Priority for overhead cabin
- Check-in if you’re bringing bulk
Choose the right actual bag
- Under-seat: soft backpack, no rigid frame
- Check-in: suitcase that can survive baggage belts without having a meltdown
Measure and weigh at home
- Luggage scale costs less than one airport fee
- Weigh the night before, not 6 minutes before leaving
Pack heavy items smartly
- Shoes low and central
- Toiletries in the middle
- Squishy layers on the outside to compress
Keep essentials accessible
- Passport, meds, chargers, snacks in the under-seat bag
- If you’re landing and need data fast, an eSIM can save you the airport SIM kiosk queue
Night-before checklist:
- Bag measured (packed)
- Bag weighed (packed)
- Liquids sorted
- Essentials in under-seat bag
- Booking shows the bag you think you bought
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At the airport: bag drop, boarding, and what to do if you get stopped
Airport-day success is mostly about not improvising.
Bag drop basics:
- If you bought a check-in bag, drop it before security
- Keep your under-seat bag tidy and within size
- Don’t wait until you’re at the gate to “see what happens”. Something will happen. It will cost money.
If staff stop you, here’s the calm script:
- “No worries, what are my options from here?”
- “Can I pay in the app here, or is it at the desk?”
- “If it needs to go in the hold, where do I leave it?”
What not to argue about:
- The size rule itself
- The sizer being “too strict”
- “But it fit last time”
If you’re travelling with kids, heavy bags, or a late flight, booking an airport transfer can remove a chunk of stress, especially in unfamiliar cities.
Baggage problems: delayed, damaged, missing (what to do fast)
If your checked bag goes missing or arrives looking like it fought a conveyor belt and lost, speed matters.
Do this immediately:
- Go to the baggage desk before leaving the airport
- Report it and get a reference number
- Take photos of damage on the spot
- Keep receipts for essentials you have to buy (toiletries, basic clothes)
After you leave the airport:
- Follow the airline’s process using your reference number
- Keep everything documented (photos, receipts, messages)
This is also where travel insurance earns its keep, especially for baggage delays, damage, and emergency purchases.
FAQs about Ryanair Baggage Allowance
What size bag is free on Ryanair?
Ryanair’s free personal bag is up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm and must fit under the seat in front. If it’s bigger, you risk a gate fee and the bag being placed in the hold.
Do I need Priority to take a cabin suitcase?
Yes, if you want a cabin suitcase in the overhead locker, Priority & 2 Cabin Bags is the usual way to do it. Without Priority, a larger cabin bag can be stopped at the gate and charged.
How much is a 10kg or 20kg bag on Ryanair?
Prices vary by route and date, but online booking is generally cheaper than airport day. As a rough guide, 10kg and 20kg bags have published ranges that can swing a lot depending on season and demand.
What happens if my bag is overweight or doesn’t fit the sizer?
Overweight on checked bags is charged per kilo, and oversize cabin bags can be refused or placed in the hold with a fee. The easiest fix is weighing at home and repacking heavy items into your under-seat bag.
How do I avoid paying baggage fees on Ryanair?
Pick the right bag option early, measure your bag packed, and don’t rely on “it’ll probably be fine”. Soft under-seat bags and pre-booked baggage beat gate surprises every time.
Final Thoughts
If you take one thing from this Ryanair baggage allowance guide, make it this: decide your bag plan early, measure at home, and stop bringing “nearly fits” bags that turn boarding into a stress hobby. Under-seat bag for short trips, Priority if you need an overhead case, check-in if you’re packing bulky or travelling longer, and weigh everything before you leave.
If you want, drop a comment with your route, trip length, and what you’re packing. I’ll tell you the simplest bag setup (and how to dodge the sizer drama). For more airline fee survival guides and packing help, have a browse around TheTravelTinker.com.👇🗣️
Adventure on,
The Travel Tinker Crew 🌍✨
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
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