Ryanair vs easyJet: Bags, Seats, Fees and Which One Stings Less
Estimated reading time: 14 mins
Ryanair vs easyJet isn’t really a question of which airline is cheaper. Not properly. The better question is this: which one is cheaper for the way you actually travel?
Because yes, both can sell flights for the price of a sad airport sandwich. But then come the bags, seats, airport transfers, check-in rules, family seating, cabin bag choices and those little add-ons that somehow make a “cheap” flight start acting like it owns a yacht.
I’ve had both airlines work brilliantly. I’ve also stared at both checkout pages with that quiet, British “oh for crying out loud” feeling when the fare doubles because I dared to want luggage and a seat next to the person I booked with.
So here’s the honest comparison: bags, seats, fees, airport faff, family travel, weekend trips and which one tends to sting less for different travellers.
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Ryanair vs easyJet: Quick Facts at a Glance
✅ Both are low-cost airlines, so the base fare rarely tells the full story.
✅ Ryanair often wins on rock-bottom headline fares, especially for ultra-light travellers.
✅ easyJet’s free underseat cabin bag is larger than Ryanair’s free small bag.
✅ Ryanair Priority can be good value if you need an overhead cabin bag.
✅ easyJet can feel easier if you want a bigger free personal item.
✅ Both charge for many seat choices, especially better-positioned or extra legroom seats.
✅ Families should check seating rules carefully before trying to save on seats.
✅ Airport choice matters, as the cheapest fare can involve a less convenient airport.
✅ Adding bags online is usually cheaper than airport panic-buying.
✅ The best pick depends on bag size, trip length, route and how much faff you’ll tolerate.
✅ For a slightly more generous baggage comparison, have a look at our Jet2 baggage allowance guide.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Don’t compare the fare. Compare the full door-to-door cost, including bags, seats, airport travel and any “I’ll just add that quickly” extras.
Ryanair vs easyJet Quick Q&As
Is Ryanair cheaper than easyJet?
Often, yes, especially on headline fares. But Ryanair can stop being cheaper fast if you add bags, seats and awkward airport travel.
Which has the better free cabin bag?
easyJet. Its free small cabin bag is 45 x 36 x 20cm, compared with Ryanair’s 40 x 30 x 20cm.
Which is stricter at the gate?
Both can be strict. Ryanair has the harsher reputation, but easyJet can also charge if your bag doesn’t fit the rules.
Which is better for families?
It depends on the route and total booking cost. Ryanair has family seating rules worth checking, while easyJet can be simpler if the bigger free underseat bag works for your group.
Which is better for weekend trips?
easyJet is handy for two-night trips if you can use the bigger free underseat bag. Ryanair wins when the route is cheap, direct and the airport works.
Which has cheaper seats?
Both use variable pricing. Standard seat selection can be cheap, but front, extra legroom and popular seats cost more.
Which airline stings less overall?
For tiny-bag solo travel, Ryanair can sting less. For travellers who want a bigger free bag or easier airport choice, easyJet often feels less painful.
Is it better to add bags during booking?
Yes. Add luggage online rather than leaving it to the airport, where fees are usually higher and your mood will not improve.
👉 Good to know: Prices/Figures correct as of 2026. Fees vary by route, date, demand, currency, booking stage and the airline’s own pricing mood on the day.
🔥 easyJet Airline Article for later: Easyjet for First-Timers: How to Make it “Easy” & What to Expect
The quick answer: which one stings less?
Ryanair usually wins if your only goal is the cheapest possible seat from A to B and you can travel with one genuinely small underseat bag. I mean properly small. Not “I can squash it if I sit on it and pray” small. If you don’t care where you sit and the airport is convenient, Ryanair can be excellent value.
easyJet tends to sting less for travellers who want a larger free underseat bag, a slightly more forgiving cabin setup, or a route from an airport that’s closer to where they actually need to be. That last bit matters. A £19 flight is less exciting once the airport bus costs £27 and drops you somewhere that feels like the edge of civilisation.
The clean verdict: Ryanair is often cheaper for minimalist travel. easyJet is often easier for normal-human weekend packing.
💡 Fact: The cheapest airline is not always the cheapest trip. Add the full cost before picking a winner.
🗺️ Ryanair Article for later: Master Ryanair: Fly Smart & Avoid Windowless Seats
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The free cabin bag comparison
This is the big one. Ryanair includes one small personal bag measuring 40 x 30 x 20cm. It must fit under the seat in front of you. easyJet includes one small cabin bag measuring 45 x 36 x 20cm, also under the seat. That extra space sounds boring until you try packing jeans, toiletries, chargers and a second pair of shoes into a bag shaped like regret.
A soft backpack is your friend here. It can compress slightly, fit odd corners and behave better in a sizer. A hard-shell mini case might look tidy, but if it’s too tall, it’s too tall. Wheels and handles count, which is where people get caught.
For the full airline-specific breakdowns, start with our Ryanair baggage allowance guide, then compare it with our easyJet baggage allowance guide before booking.
| Airline | Free bag size | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 x 30 x 20cm | Tiny backpacks, day trips, ruthless light packers | Overfilled bags, hard cases, wheels and handles |
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20cm | Weekend backpacks, laptop bags, slightly fuller packing | Still needs to fit the gauge and under the seat |
✋🏼 Must do: Measure the bag fully packed, including handles, bulging pockets and wheels. Empty-bag measurements are fantasy admin.
🗺️ Guide Worth Your Attention: Why Booking ABTA and ATOL Protected Holidays Is Your Smartest Travel Decision
Paid cabin bags: Priority vs large cabin bag
If you want an overhead cabin bag, neither airline gives you that automatically on the cheapest fare. Ryanair sells this mainly through Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, which lets you bring your small underseat bag plus a 10kg cabin bag measuring 55 x 40 x 20cm. It also gets you into the Priority queue, which sounds grander than it feels, but it does mean you’re more likely to get your cabin bag into the locker.
easyJet sells a large cabin bag measuring 56 x 45 x 25cm, or includes it through easyJet Plus, Inclusive Plus, or certain seat and fare benefits. Availability can be limited because overhead locker space is not infinite, despite what every person with a giant wheelie bag seems to believe.
Pay for the cabin bag if you need clothes for more than a couple of nights, hate baggage reclaim, or carry anything you don’t want in the hold. Skip it if your underseat bag genuinely works.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If the paid cabin bag costs close to checked luggage, ask yourself which pain you prefer: carrying it all day or waiting at the belt.
🚕 Landing tired and don’t want to queue for a taxi or transfer? Book an airport transfer before you fly. Future-you will thank present-you.
Checked bags: which airline is easier if you need hold luggage?
easyJet is generally easier to understand for hold luggage. You can buy a 15kg bag, a standard 23kg bag, or add extra weight up to 32kg per bag. If you’re travelling with family or friends on the same booking, easyJet allows you to pool your total weight allowance, as long as no single bag goes over 32kg.
Ryanair offers 10kg, 20kg and 23kg checked bag options. The 10kg checked bag can be useful if you want liquids, shoes or heavier bits out of the cabin but don’t need a full suitcase. The 20kg bag is the standard holiday choice. The 23kg option is handy if you’re close to the limit, but check availability and pricing during booking, as the exact cost can move around.
For couples, one shared checked bag can beat paying for two cabin bags. I’ve done that before and felt annoyingly smug walking through security without dragging a wheelie case over everyone’s ankles.
| Airline | Main checked bag options | Pooling or limits | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 10kg, 20kg and 23kg checked bags | 20kg bags can be bought up to 3 per passenger. No single checked bag should go over 32kg. | Cheap trips where you add only the bag you need |
| easyJet | 15kg, 23kg and extra weight up to 32kg | Pooling allowed on the same booking, no single bag over 32kg | Families, couples and longer trips with shared luggage |
👉 Good to know: If you need hold luggage, compare the total booking with bags added before deciding. The “cheap” fare might not stay cheap.
Seats: sitting together, legroom and the “I’ll risk it” strategy
Both airlines charge for seat selection, and both offer random allocation if you don’t pay. This is where couples and solo travellers can take a calculated risk. Families should be more careful.
Ryanair’s Basic fare includes random seat allocation during online check-in. Some bundles include standard seats, and family rules mean children under 12 must sit beside an adult, with one adult required to reserve a seat. A maximum of four children per adult on the same booking can receive reserved seats free of charge.
easyJet says its system will aim to seat passengers on the same booking together when seats are automatically allocated, but it is not guaranteed. Translation: lovely when it works, stressful if you were relying on it.
For solo travellers, I often wouldn’t pay unless I wanted extra legroom or had a tight connection. For couples, I’d check the seat price and decide how much I cared. For families with young children, I wouldn’t gamble if sitting together matters.
💡 Fact: Random allocation is not a seating plan. It’s a dice roll with boarding passes.
🗺️ Recommended Read: Easyjet Plus: Your Golden Ticket to Smoother Skies or Just an Extra Fee? ✈️
Fees that catch people out
The classic low-cost airline trap is thinking the price you first see is the price you’ll pay. It might be. But only if you behave exactly like the fare wants you to behave: tiny bag, no preferred seat, online check-in, no name mistakes, no last-minute extras and no oversized luggage at the gate.
Ryanair fee traps tend to feel sharper because the cheapest fare is very bare. Airport check-in, missed online check-in, name changes, bigger bags and seat choices can all push the cost up. easyJet has its own traps: oversized cabin bags at the gate, paid large cabin bags, hold bag fees, seat selection and flight changes.
This is also where backup matters. For bigger trips, sort travel insurance before you fly. And if your flight is heavily delayed or cancelled, check if flight compensation applies rather than just grumbling into a lukewarm airport coffee.
| Fee trap | Ryanair angle | easyJet angle | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oversized cabin bag | Small free bag is limited, so overpacking is risky | Bigger free bag, but still checked against the gauge | Measure fully packed before leaving home |
| Airport bag purchase | Usually worse value than adding online | Airport bag fees can be painful, up to £55 per bag | Add bags during booking or through the app |
| Seat selection | Basic fare gives random seats | Random seating aims to keep bookings together, but no promise | Pay if sitting together matters |
| Name mistake | Small corrections can be free, bigger changes cost | Spelling mistakes may be corrected free, full changes cost | Check names against passports before paying |
✋🏼 Must do: Read the final checkout page properly. Low-cost airlines make money from the bit you skim.
🗺️ Because we all want to get through fast!: How to Get Through the Airport Quickly: Expert Tips for Savvy Travellers
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Which airline is stricter at the gate?
Ryanair has the stricter reputation, and honestly, that reputation didn’t appear out of thin air. Its free bag is smaller, the sizers are visible, and gate staff can be firm if your bag looks over the limit. But easyJet is not a free-for-all. If your “small” cabin bag is clearly too big, you can still be charged and your bag can end up in the hold.
The practical difference is that easyJet gives you more free underseat space, so normal weekend backpacks have a better chance. Ryanair leaves less margin. That doesn’t mean Ryanair is unfair. It means you need to treat the measurements like rules, not vibes.
Soft-sided bags help because they can settle into the sizer. But don’t abuse that. A bulging backpack with side pockets full of snacks, chargers and panic is still a problem.
Need a calmer packing setup before you start arguing with zips? Our packing tips and guides are a good place to start.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: The best bag is slightly under the limit, soft-sided and not packed until it looks like it’s in witness protection.
🗺️ Ryanair’s Turn: Ryanair Prime: A Game-Changer for Frequent Flyers or Just Another Gimmick?
Airport choice: the cost nobody checks properly
This is where cheap flights quietly cheat your brain. You see the fare first, not the journey. A flight can be cheaper because it uses an airport that’s less convenient for your actual trip. That might be fine if public transport is easy, but less fine if you land late, miss the last train and end up paying for a taxi that costs more than the flight.
Ryanair often uses some very practical airports, especially where it has strong bases. It can also use airports that are not as close to the city as the route name makes your optimistic brain assume. easyJet often has strong access at major UK and European airports, but that doesn’t mean every route is automatically better.
Check transfer time, cost and arrival hour before booking. If you’re landing late or travelling with kids, a pre-booked airport transfer can make sense, especially if the cheap arrival airport is a bit of a trek.
👉 Good to know: A £24 flight plus a £45 late-night transfer is not a £24 trip. Annoying, yes. True, also yes.
🗺️ Baggage Issues: Airline Broke My Bag: A Calm, Universal Guide to damaged Luggage
Families, couples and groups: who gets stung less?
Families need to be more careful than solo travellers because every small fee multiplies. One seat fee becomes four. One cabin bag becomes four. One airport transfer problem becomes a group sulk with snacks involved.
Ryanair’s family setup can work well if it lines up with your needs, especially with children under 12 and added luggage. But don’t assume the cheapest Basic fare is the best family option. Price the full trip with seats, bags and any checked luggage. easyJet can be easier if the bigger free underseat bag reduces how many paid bags you need, and its same-booking luggage pooling helps if you’re checking bags.
For couples, the choice is often simpler. If you can share one checked bag, either airline can work. If you both need overhead cabin bags and seats together, compare the total rather than falling for a sale fare.
A practical example: two adults taking one shared checked bag can sometimes beat two paid cabin bags and two seat selections. Weirdly satisfying when it works.
💡 Fact: Families should price the full booking, not each fare. Low-cost maths gets silly once you multiply it by four.
🗺️ Family Hub: Family and Senior Travel
Weekend city breaks: which one would I pick?
For a two-night city break, I’d start with the bag. If I can use one soft backpack and I need a bit more room, easyJet’s larger free underseat bag is genuinely useful. It gives you more margin for a second outfit, a light jacket and the tiny chaos items that appear on every trip.
If I’m going somewhere for one night, travelling solo and the airport works, Ryanair can be brilliant. I’ve had those cheap, clean, “why did I ever complain?” flights where the whole thing runs smoothly because I followed the rules and didn’t try to bring a wardrobe.
The airport matters more for city breaks than people admit. If you only have 48 hours, losing two extra hours to transfers is not a bargain. I’d pay a bit more for the better airport if it gives me more time in the city and less time on a bus staring at roundabouts.
A quick travel prep win: if you’re landing late or hopping between countries, an eSIM by Airalo can save that irritating arrival moment where maps, buses and mobile data all choose violence at once.
When Ryanair is the better choice
Ryanair is the better pick when you’re willing to play the game properly. Not angrily. Properly. That means accepting that the cheapest fare is designed for very light travel and not pretending your stuffed rucksack is “basically a handbag”.
Choose Ryanair when:
- You’re travelling with one small soft bag.
- You don’t care where you sit.
- You’re solo or flexible.
- The route is direct and the flight time is good.
- You live near a Ryanair base.
- The arrival airport is genuinely useful for your destination.
- Priority plus a cabin bag is still cheaper than easyJet’s equivalent.
- You’re happy checking in online and following every step carefully.
Ryanair can be fantastic value. The trick is not to book emotionally. Don’t see a £17 fare and start imagining yourself eating tapas by sunset until you’ve added the boring bits.
For more cost-saving tactics, check out our Sneaky Travel Savings guide. It pairs nicely with budget airline maths, sadly.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Ryanair works best when you treat the rules like a checklist, not a personal challenge.
🔥 Recommended Travel Insurance (a must!): Visitors Coverage
When easyJet is the better choice
easyJet is often the better choice when you want low-cost travel without cutting the packing quite so close. The free underseat cabin bag is bigger, which can make a real difference for short trips. Not luxury. Just less wrestling with zips in your hallway at midnight.
Choose easyJet when:
- You want the larger free underseat bag.
- You’re doing a weekend city break with no checked luggage.
- The easyJet airport is better placed for your trip.
- You’re travelling as a couple or family and comparing the total cost.
- You want clearer cabin bag choices.
- You’re using easyJet holidays or an Inclusive Plus style fare.
- You need hold luggage and pooling helps your group.
- You’d rather pay slightly more for less faff.
easyJet is not always cheaper after extras. It can still sting, especially with seats, large cabin bags and airport bag fees. But for many normal travellers, it can feel a bit easier to make the luggage rules work.
👉 Good to know: easyJet’s bigger free bag is not permission to bring a cabin suitcase. It’s still an underseat bag, and the gauge gets the final vote.
Quick verdicts by traveller type
The best airline depends on how you travel, not which one has the shoutiest sale banner. A solo traveller with a tiny backpack has a totally different booking equation from a family of four with a buggy, two checked bags and an entirely reasonable desire to sit together.
Use this as a quick sanity check before booking. Then still price both airlines properly, because route timing and airport choice can flip the answer.
| Traveller type | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny-bag solo traveller | Ryanair | Lowest fares can work well if you skip extras |
| Weekend backpack traveller | easyJet | Bigger free underseat bag gives more breathing room |
| Family with checked bags | Compare both | Seats, luggage and airport travel can change the winner fast |
| Couple wanting seats together | Route-specific | Seat prices and airport choice matter more than the logo |
| Least-hassle city breaker | Often easyJet | Bigger free bag and strong airport options can help |
Sources Checked
The live baggage, seat and fee details in this guide were checked against these sources:
- Ryanair bag policy, for the free small bag, Priority cabin bag and checked bag options.
- Ryanair fees, for current fee guidance and variable pricing notes.
- Ryanair seat rules, for seat allocation and paid seat selection details.
- Ryanair family seat policy, for adult and child seating rules.
- easyJet cabin bags, for free small cabin bag and large cabin bag rules.
- easyJet hold luggage, for checked bag weights, pooling and the 32kg cap.
- easyJet fees and charges, for baggage, seat and airport fee ranges.
My Final Thoughts - I use both, regularly
The honest answer is that neither airline is automatically better. They’re both capable of being cheap, useful and completely fine. They’re also both capable of turning a bargain fare into a checkout page that feels like it’s asking for a personal apology.
Ryanair tends to sting less for ultra-light travellers who can follow the rules, skip seats and use a convenient route. easyJet tends to sting less for travellers who want a bigger free underseat bag, better airport convenience on some routes, or simpler luggage choices for a short break.
Before booking, do these five things:
- Compare the total price, not just the fare.
- Measure your bag before booking.
- Add bags online, not at the airport.
- Check airport transfer time and cost.
- Pick the airline that fits your trip style, not the one shouting loudest about a sale.
If you’re stuck, drop a comment with your route, dates, bag setup, number of travellers and travel style. I’ll help you work out which option makes more sense.
And for more practical flight, baggage and travel planning help, browse more guides on TheTravelTinker.com. 💬👇🏼
Adventure on,
The Travel Tinker Crew 🌍✨
FAQs
Is Ryanair stricter than easyJet with cabin bags?
Ryanair has the stricter reputation, mainly because its free bag is smaller and passengers often push the limit. easyJet can still charge for oversized bags, so don’t treat it as relaxed. With both, the safest move is simple: measure your bag fully packed.
Is easyJet better than Ryanair for families?
easyJet can be easier for some families because of the larger free underseat bag and hold luggage pooling on the same booking. Ryanair can still be cheaper if its family seating and fare options fit your route and baggage needs. Price the whole trip before deciding.
Which is cheaper once bags and seats are added?
It depends on the route, date, number of travellers and how many extras you need. Ryanair often starts cheaper, but easyJet can catch up or beat it if the bigger free bag means you skip a paid cabin bag. Always compare like-for-like totals.
Can I take a cabin suitcase for free on Ryanair or easyJet?
No, not on the cheapest basic setup. Ryanair’s free bag must fit under the seat at 40 x 30 x 20cm, while easyJet’s free small cabin bag is 45 x 36 x 20cm. A normal cabin suitcase usually needs a paid cabin bag option or a fare that includes it.
Should I pay for seats on Ryanair or easyJet?
Pay if sitting together matters, especially for families, nervous travellers, short connections or special needs. If you’re solo and don’t care, random allocation can save money. Just don’t gamble with young children if you need certainty.
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Author
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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