Ryanair’s hand luggage policy is more complicated than most other airlines. There are two different bag allowances — one that’s free for every passenger and one that costs extra — and the rules around both are strict enough that getting it wrong at the gate is expensive.
This guide covers the current Ryanair hand luggage rules for 2026, including the exact dimensions for each bag type, how Priority Boarding affects your allowance, what Ryanair charges if your bag is too big, and the cheapest way to add a cabin bag if you need one.
Ryanair’s two hand luggage allowances
Every Ryanair passenger gets a free bag. But only some passengers get a second, larger bag. Understanding the difference before you book will save you money.
Free small bag (all passengers)
Every passenger, regardless of the fare type they have purchased, is entitled to bring one small personal item into the cabin free of charge.
Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 20 cm
Weight limit: None
Where it goes: Under the seat in front of you
This bag must fit under the seat. If it cannot fit under the seat, Ryanair will not allow it in the cabin free of charge. The 40 x 30 x 20 cm size is genuinely small — roughly the size of a large handbag or a slim laptop bag. A 20-litre daypack may squeeze in depending on how it is packed; a standard rolling cabin suitcase will not.
Cabin bag (overhead locker)
A second, larger bag can also be brought into the cabin, but it is not included free of charge for all passengers.
Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20 cm
Weight limit: 10 kg
Where it goes: Overhead locker
This bag is only free if you have Priority Boarding included in your booking, either because you have paid for it as an add-on or because it is included in your fare type. Without Priority, you cannot bring this bag into the cabin for free.
Who gets Priority Boarding and the cabin bag?
Ryanair offers Priority Boarding as a paid add-on on most routes. It is included automatically in certain fare types.
Regular/Value fares: Priority Boarding not included. You get the small bag only.
Priority Boarding add-on (paid separately): Costs between £6 and £25 depending on route and how far in advance you add it. Includes the cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg) in the overhead locker, plus the free small bag under the seat.
Plus fares and Flexi Plus fares: Priority Boarding included as standard, along with the cabin bag allowance.
If you have Priority Boarding, you board before the main cabin. This matters: overhead locker space on Ryanair flights fills quickly. Passengers without Priority often board to find lockers already full and are asked to gate-check their bag, sometimes with a fee attached.
Ryanair hand luggage size: does it matter if you’re slightly over?
Ryanair operates bag sizers at many airports — physical frames the correct size for both the cabin bag and the small bag. If your bag does not fit through the sizer, it is too big. Gate staff are instructed to use them.
The 55 x 40 x 20 cm limit on the cabin bag is notably narrower in the third dimension (depth) than most airlines. A bag marketed as “Ryanair-compatible” may still be borderline depending on the manufacturer’s measurement method. Always measure your bag yourself including handles, wheels, and any external pockets — airlines measure the total external dimensions, not the body of the bag.
Soft bags tend to compress and pass more easily than rigid cases. If you are buying a bag specifically for Ryanair, choose one that is clearly within the stated limit rather than borderline.
What does Ryanair charge for hand luggage at the gate?
If you arrive at the Ryanair gate with a bag larger than 40 x 30 x 20 cm and you do not have Priority Boarding or a paid cabin bag, Ryanair will charge you.
| When you add the cabin bag | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| At time of booking | £6–£10 on many routes |
| Online after booking (before check-in closes) | £10–£25 depending on route |
| At the gate | £70–£75 |
The gate charge is consistently the highest price available. Ryanair sets it deliberately to encourage passengers to add bags online. If you are certain you want to bring a cabin bag, add it at the time of booking — it is almost always cheapest then.
If the flight is full and overhead locker space runs out, Priority Boarding passengers may also have their cabin bag gate-checked — but this is done at no charge for Priority passengers. Non-Priority passengers with an unpaid large bag will be charged.
Ryanair checked baggage vs hand luggage
Ryanair’s hand luggage policy makes most sense when you understand the alternative. Checked luggage (hold baggage) starts at around £12–£25 per bag per flight depending on weight category and how far in advance you add it.
For short trips of two or three nights, many passengers find the Priority Boarding add-on (which includes the cabin bag) is cheaper than checked luggage. For longer trips where you need more than 10 kg, you will need to check a bag.
Ryanair’s hold baggage weight options are typically 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, and 25 kg. The 10 kg hold bag option is designed for passengers who want a slightly bigger bag than the cabin allowance but still want to keep costs down.
Ryanair hand luggage for children
Children flying with Ryanair are entitled to the same hand luggage allowance as adults. A child who has their own seat gets one free small bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm). If Priority Boarding is added to the booking, the child also gets the cabin bag allowance.
Infants travelling on an adult’s lap do not have a hand luggage allowance. Infant items such as a changing bag may be permitted at gate staff discretion, but this is not guaranteed.
Travelling with a laptop on Ryanair
A laptop in a slim case will typically fit within the 40 x 30 x 20 cm free bag allowance, but only if the rest of the bag contents are minimal. A 15-inch laptop in a sleeve, plus a charger, passport and a few small items, should fit a well-organised slim bag within the limit.
If you are carrying a 17-inch laptop, a dedicated laptop bag, or a backpack with a laptop compartment, check the bag dimensions before you travel — many laptop-focused backpacks exceed the 40 x 30 x 20 cm free bag limit.
The Priority Boarding cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) easily accommodates any standard laptop plus additional items. If you are travelling with a laptop and anything else of substance, Priority Boarding is worth factoring in.
How does Ryanair compare to other budget airlines?
Ryanair’s hand luggage policy is the most restrictive of the main UK carriers. The key differences:
easyJet: All passengers get one overhead cabin bag (56 x 45 x 25 cm) plus one underseat bag, free of charge. No Priority Boarding add-on required.
Wizz Air: Same structure as Ryanair — free small bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm), paid cabin bag (55 x 40 x 23 cm) for Wizz Priority passengers only.
Jet2: All passengers get one cabin bag (56 x 45 x 25 cm, 10 kg) plus one underseat bag, free.
British Airways: All passengers get one cabin bag and one personal item, regardless of fare.
For passengers who want to travel with a standard carry-on suitcase at no extra cost, easyJet and Jet2 are considerably more generous than Ryanair. The Priority Boarding add-on effectively closes this gap, but it comes at a price.
See our full comparison of hand luggage rules for UK airlines for a complete side-by-side on every major carrier.
Tips for travelling Ryanair with hand luggage only
Pack into a soft bag. Soft bags (duffel bags, soft backpacks) compress to fit the sizer where a rigid case cannot. A 25–30 litre soft bag packed tightly will often pass through the 40 x 30 x 20 cm check.
Add Priority at booking if you need the cabin bag. The price at booking is consistently lower than adding it later. If there is any chance you will want overhead space, add it immediately.
Use the free bag allowance creatively. A well-organised 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag will hold several days of clothing for a warm destination — lightweight shorts, T-shirts, and a thin layer pack small. For a two-night city break, many experienced travellers fly Ryanair without Priority Boarding by packing light into the free bag only.
Do not rely on free gate-checking. Some passengers assume that if overhead space runs out, their bag will be checked for free. This is only true for passengers who have Priority Boarding. Without it, you will pay the gate fee.
Check the sizer dimensions before you buy a bag. The Ryanair cabin bag sizer is 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Many bags on the market are described as “cabin bag” but are sized to other airlines’ standards. A bag that fits easyJet or Jet2 (56 x 45 x 25 cm) will almost certainly fail Ryanair’s sizer.
For bag recommendations tested against the Ryanair sizer, see our guide to the best carry-on bags for Ryanair.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ryanair free hand luggage size?
The free bag for all Ryanair passengers must measure no more than 40 x 30 x 20 cm. There is no weight limit on this bag. It must fit under the seat in front of you.
What is the Ryanair cabin bag size?
The Ryanair cabin bag (for the overhead locker) must measure no more than 55 x 40 x 20 cm and weigh no more than 10 kg. This bag is only free for passengers with Priority Boarding. All other passengers must pay to bring this bag into the cabin.
Do I need Priority Boarding to bring a cabin bag on Ryanair?
Yes. Without Priority Boarding, you are only entitled to the free small bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm). If you arrive at the gate with a larger bag and no Priority Boarding, Ryanair will charge you a gate fee — typically £70–£75.
Can I bring a backpack on Ryanair for free?
It depends on the size. A backpack measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm or smaller qualifies as the free bag. Most standard 20–30 litre backpacks exceed these dimensions and would require either Priority Boarding or a bag add-on.
How much does Ryanair charge for a cabin bag?
It varies by route and when you add it. Adding at time of booking is typically £6–£10 on many routes. Adding after booking but before travel: £10–£25. Adding at the gate: £70–£75. Always add online if you need it.
Does Ryanair weigh hand luggage?
Only the overhead cabin bag has a weight limit (10 kg). The free small bag has no weight limit. Ryanair does occasionally weigh cabin bags at the gate on busy routes. If your cabin bag exceeds 10 kg, you may be charged to check it into the hold.
What happens if my Ryanair bag is too big?
You will be charged at the gate — currently £70–£75 on most routes. If you have Priority Boarding and the overhead lockers are full, your cabin bag may be gate-checked free of charge. If you do not have Priority Boarding, you will pay the gate fee regardless.
Can I take a handbag as well as a cabin bag on Ryanair?
Yes, if you have Priority Boarding. Your small free bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) can be a handbag, and you can also bring the cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) in the overhead locker. Without Priority, you get one bag only.
This guide is updated regularly. Ryanair’s baggage policy and fees change — always check Ryanair’s official baggage page before you travel.
