In short
With Ryanair, only one small bag up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm is free of charge, and it must fit under the seat in front of you. A large piece of hand luggage up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and 10 kg is only included with "Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" or with the Regular and Flexi Plus fares. Oversized bags cost £/€70 to 75 at the gate.
Correct as of: 20 April 2026 · Ryanair's fees and dimensions change regularly. We update this guide on an ongoing basis – please check ryanair.com for binding figures before booking.
How big can your hand luggage be with Ryanair? And how much does the larger cabin bag cost? Ryanair is one of the cheapest airlines in Europe – but also one of the strictest when it comes to baggage. If you turn up at the gate unprepared, you can easily end up paying more for your baggage than for the flight itself. In this guide, you'll find all the current Ryanair hand luggage rules for 2026, the actual dimensions and weight limits, the cost of Priority Boarding and checked baggage, plus our best money-saving tips to make sure you never get caught out by the £70 gate fee.
Ryanair Hand Luggage 2026 – The Rules at a Glance
With Ryanair, your hand luggage allowance depends on the fare you've booked. On the cheapest fare, one small bag is included; with Priority Boarding or the Plus/Flexi Plus fare, you also get a second, larger cabin bag. Both bags are subject to fixed size and weight limits – exceed them, and you'll pay extra at the airport.
1. Small Hand Luggage – Free with Every Fare
With every Ryanair fare, you're allowed to bring one small personal item on board free of charge. This must fit under the seat in front of you and must not exceed the following dimensions:
- Dimensions: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (slightly larger since August 2025 – previously 40 × 25 × 20 cm)
- Weight: no official weight limit, but the bag must fit comfortably under the seat in front of you
- Suitable options: small underseater bags, compact backpacks or shoulder bags
According to Ryanair, this bag must fit entirely within the size limits – including wheels, handles and outer pockets. There are often sizers at the gate that your bag must fit into completely.
2. Large Hand Luggage – Only with Priority or Plus Fare
You get the second, larger cabin bag either by adding Priority Boarding, or automatically with the higher Plus and Flexi Plus fares. The following rules apply to this larger bag:
- Dimensions: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Weight: max. 10 kg
- Stowage: in the overhead locker
- Suitable options: cabin suitcases measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm, cabin backpacks or holdalls of this size
Important: Even with Priority, your large bag must not exceed 55 × 40 × 20 cm. Ryanair is considerably stricter here than Lufthansa or Eurowings – many standard cabin cases (e.g. 55 × 40 × 23 cm) will not fit Ryanair's sizer. When buying a suitcase, make sure to check specifically for Ryanair-compatible dimensions.
Overview: Ryanair Hand Luggage at a Glance
| Bag | Dimensions | Weight | Included in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small hand luggage | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | must be easily carried | every fare (free) |
| Large hand luggage | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | max. 10 kg | Priority, Plus, Flexi Plus |
What will Ryanair actually cost you?
The later you book, the more expensive it gets – the gate fee is the biggest risk of all.
Money-saving tip: With a Ryanair-compliant suitcase (55 × 40 × 20 cm), you avoid gate checks completely – saving up to £69 per flight.
How Much Does Priority Boarding Cost with Ryanair?
You can add Priority Boarding either directly when booking your flight or afterwards via "Manage My Booking". The price is dynamic and depends on the route, when you book and how full the flight is:
- Price: approx. £6–36 per flight
- Included in the price: priority boarding + a second cabin bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg)
- Tip: booking early pays off – Priority is often significantly more expensive shortly before departure
For a booking for two people, Priority can quickly add up to over £40 return. From this point onwards, the 10 kg checked bag is usually the cheaper alternative – more on that in the next section.
Checked Baggage with Ryanair – The Cheaper Alternative
New: For all the details – official prices from the fee table, the new 23 kg option, excess baggage fees and suitable suitcases with low empty weight – see our in-depth guide Ryanair Checked Baggage 2026: 10, 20 & 23 kg.
If you want to bring more, you can book checked baggage as well. Ryanair offers two standard options:
- 10 kg checked bag (max. 55 × 40 × 20 cm) – from approx. £12 online, considerably more expensive at the airport
- 20 kg checked bag (max. 80 × 120 × 120 cm combined dimensions, depending on booking) – from approx. £19 online
The price difference between booking online and paying at the airport with Ryanair is typically £20–50. So declaring your baggage at the time of booking saves you real money. Up to three checked bags per person are allowed.
Money-saving tip: For 2 travellers, one shared 20 kg checked bag plus 2× free hand luggage (40×30×20 cm) is often enough. This works out cheaper than 2× Priority + 2× large cabin bag. A suitable suitcase (e.g. a medium-sized 66–68 cm case) weighs roughly 3–3.5 kg empty – leaving a comfortable 16.5 kg of packing capacity.
Ryanair Gate Fees – The Expensive Trap
The dreaded gate fee applies whenever your hand luggage is too big or too heavy at the gate and therefore has to be moved to the hold:
- Fee for exceeding the size limit: approx. £70–75 per bag
- Fee without Priority for oversized luggage: the bag must be checked in – at a cost
- Strict enforcement: Ryanair is noticeably stricter with sizer checks than other airlines
Travellers with standard cabin cases measuring 55 × 40 × 23 cm, or so-called "expandable" suitcases whose outer dimensions slightly exceed the limit when full, get caught out particularly often. Overpacked backpacks with bulging sides regularly lead to gate fees too.
Liquids in Ryanair Hand Luggage
The same EU-wide liquid rules apply to Ryanair as to all other airlines. You may only carry liquids in your hand luggage in small quantities:
- Individual containers of no more than 100 ml
- All containers together in a single clear, resealable plastic bag (1 litre)
- A maximum of one bag per person
- Remove separately from your hand luggage at the security checkpoint
Liquids also include gels, creams, toothpaste, roll-on deodorant, perfume and contact lens solution. You'll find a suitable liquids bag in our shop.
What Can and Can't Go in Ryanair Hand Luggage?
Allowed in Hand Luggage
- Laptop, tablet, smartphone, e-reader, camera
- Power banks up to 100 Wh (over 100 Wh only with airline approval)
- Medication (in original packaging, with a doctor's letter if needed)
- Baby food in the quantity needed for the flight
- E-cigarettes (in hand luggage only, not in checked baggage)
Prohibited in Hand Luggage
- Sharp objects (knives with blades over 6 cm, scissors, metal nail files)
- Tools over 6 cm (screwdrivers, hammers, pliers)
- Flammable substances (lighter fuel, gas, aerosols over 100 ml)
- Firearms, ammunition, fireworks
- Liquids over 100 ml per container
Which Suitcase Fits Ryanair's Hand Luggage Rules?
Depending on your type of trip, we recommend one of the following luggage types for Ryanair. All linked categories feature exclusively models with suitable dimensions:
- Free hand luggage only (short trip, 1–2 nights): underseater bags and backpacks measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- With Priority (weekend trip, 3–4 days): cabin suitcases with exact dimensions of 55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Backpack fans: cabin backpacks from Eastpak, Osprey or Herschel
- Soft bag instead of a suitcase: holdalls in Ryanair-compliant sizing – more flexible, often lighter
- Business trip: business trolleys with a laptop compartment
A good rule of thumb: an empty weight under 3 kg, 4 smooth-rolling wheels (useful on often narrow boarding stairs), and, if needed, a separate compartment for your liquids bag.
5 Money-Saving Tips for Your Ryanair Hand Luggage
- Only add Priority if you really need it: for a city break of over 3 nights, the 40 × 30 × 20 cm bag is often enough. Pack smart and save £6–36 per flight.
- Book online rather than at the airport: the price difference for checked baggage is often £20–50. It's best to declare it at the time of booking.
- Share checked baggage between two travellers: one 20 kg case for two is usually cheaper than 2× Priority + 2× large cabin bag.
- Choose a lightweight suitcase: every kilo of empty weight eats into your packing allowance. Modern cabin cases often weigh under 2.5 kg.
- Stick to the dimensions: better a 53 × 38 × 20 cm suitcase than one that's right on the limit. Gate staff measure strictly – even 1–2 cm over can trigger the £70 fee.
Ryanair Hand Luggage Compared to Other Airlines
At 40 × 30 × 20 cm for free hand luggage, Ryanair sits in the middle of the pack in Europe: easyJet allows 45 × 36 × 20 cm free of charge, while Eurowings and Lufthansa even allow a full cabin bag free of charge depending on the fare. However, Ryanair tickets are often £/€30–60 cheaper – and even with add-on baggage, Ryanair frequently remains the cheapest option overall.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ryanair Hand Luggage
How big can my hand luggage be with Ryanair?
The free small bag can measure up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm. With Priority Boarding or on the Plus/Flexi Plus fare, you also get a second bag measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm and up to 10 kg.
How much does Priority Boarding cost with Ryanair?
Priority Boarding costs between £6 and £36 per flight, depending on the route and when you book. It includes priority boarding plus the large cabin bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg).
What happens if my hand luggage is too big or too heavy?
If your hand luggage exceeds the size or weight limit, it must be checked in at the gate. Ryanair charges a fee of approx. £70–75 per bag for this. Fully packed expandable suitcases are checked particularly strictly against the sizer.
Can I bring a laptop in addition to my hand luggage?
No, a laptop must fit inside your regular hand luggage – it counts as part of that bag. A laptop in a separate bag already counts as a second piece of luggage and is only allowed with Priority or the Plus fare.
How many liquids am I allowed to pack in my Ryanair hand luggage?
The EU-wide liquid rules apply: individual containers up to 100 ml maximum, all together in a single 1-litre clear plastic bag. One bag is allowed per person.
Can I bring a backpack in addition to my hand luggage suitcase?
Only with Priority, Plus or Flexi Plus. On the basic fare, only one small bag (40 × 30 × 20 cm) is allowed – either a backpack or a bag, not both.
Other Airlines – Hand Luggage Rules
Flying with a different airline? Here you'll find the current size and weight rules:
- Cabin Luggage 2026 – All Airlines Compared
- Lufthansa Hand Luggage Dimensions
- Eurowings Hand Luggage Dimensions
Coming soon: easyJet, Wizz Air, Condor & KLM. All information correct as of 2026, without guarantee.
