Published 13 June 2026 | Updated 26 October 2026 by Kate Acaster
The easyJet baggage allowance works on a three-tier system. Every passenger gets one small bag for free. A larger cabin bag costs extra. Checked hold luggage costs more again. Getting this right before you book can save you a meaningful amount of money, particularly on popular routes where fees are higher than the headline price suggests. This guide covers all three tiers, current pricing, exact size limits, and how to avoid paying over the odds.
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easyJet baggage at a glance
Here’s the quick summary before we go into detail.
| BAG TYPE | MAX SIZE | MAX WEIGHT | ONLINE PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | 15 kg | Free |
| Cabin bag | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | 15 kg | Varies by route |
| Hold luggage | Max 275 linear cm | 15 or 23 kg, up to 32 kg | From £6.99 |
Your free bag: the personal item
Every easyJet ticket includes one small bag at no extra charge. It has to fit under the seat in front of you and must not exceed 45 x 36 x 20 cm, including handles, wheels, and any protruding pockets. In practice, this covers most handbags, small backpacks, and laptop bags. Many travellers use a compact daypack or a bag marketed as a “personal item” designed to meet this limit. The rule is that it goes under the seat, not in the overhead locker.
“The personal item is the allowance everyone already has, yet it’s also the one gate staff check most closely on a full flight. If you’re not sure yours fits, measure it before you travel rather than find out at the gate.”
Kate Acaster, Chief Editor
The personal item can weigh up to 15 kg, and you must be able to lift it and stow it yourself. If it doesn’t fit under the seat, staff can move it or charge you for a cabin bag at the gate. easyJet does measure bags at the boarding gate on some routes, so check your dimensions before you travel.
The easyJet cabin bag
The cabin bag goes in the overhead locker. It can be up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm with a maximum weight of 15 kg. Prices vary by route and date, and popular routes such as London to Amsterdam or Manchester to Malaga often cost £15 to £35. Our best carry-on bags for easyJet guide picks bags built to easyJet’s size limits.
The cabin bag is included with the Inclusive Plus fare and with easyJet Plus membership (currently £249 per year). On other fares you’ll need to add it separately. For the full specification, including a visual size guide, see our easyJet cabin bag size guide. If you fly more than one airline, our UK airline hand luggage comparison lines up eight of them side by side. You can also check easyJet’s own cabin bag policy directly for the latest terms.
“Cabin bag prices climb the closer you get to departure, so the lowest advertised rate is a reward for early bookers, not a typical fare.”
Kate Acaster, Chief Editor
In January 2026 the Advertising Standards Authority ruled that easyJet’s “from £5.99” large cabin bag claim was misleading, because the airline could not show bags were available at that price on a significant share of flights. Treat the headline figure as a floor price rather than a typical one. Adding a cabin bag online is always cheaper than paying £60 at the gate.
Hold luggage
Checked hold luggage starts from £6.99 when added online. easyJet sells 15 kg and 23 kg hold bags, and you can add extra weight online in 3 kg steps. No single bag can weigh more than 32 kg. Adding a bag at the airport bag drop costs £60. Add it when you book your flight to get the best price.
There’s no fixed single-dimension limit for hold luggage, but the total linear measurement (length + width + height) must not exceed 275 cm. Most standard suitcases, including large 29-inch cases, sit comfortably within this. Prices rise as your departure date approaches. If you book hold luggage and later need more allowance, upgrading the weight tier through Manage Bookings is cheaper than changing it at the airport. You can add a second bag too, though the combined cost can add up, which is why it pays to get the right allowance when you first book.
How to keep bag costs down
- Book your bags at the same time as your flight. Prices increase as departure approaches, and airport rates are always the most expensive option.
- If you’re travelling as a couple or family, one large hold bag can work out cheaper than two smaller ones booked separately. A single 32 kg bag is often less expensive than two individual 15 kg bags.
- For frequent flyers, easyJet Plus membership includes a free large cabin bag when you add it to your booking, plus a free Up Front or Extra Legroom seat. If you fly four or more return trips a year and typically add a cabin bag, the £249 annual membership often covers its own cost.
- easyJet Holidays packages often include luggage in the headline price, making your total travel cost more predictable. Our easyJet Holidays UK guide covers what’s included in a package and how it compares to booking separately.
It’s also worth weighing up the airline itself, not just the bag fees. Our easyJet vs Ryanair vs Jet2 comparison and guide to flying with easyJet cover the other factors, beyond baggage, that affect the total cost of a trip.
easyJet baggage allowance: your questions answered
Does easyJet allow a free bag?
Yes. Every easyJet ticket includes one free personal item. It must fit under the seat in front of you and not exceed 45 x 36 x 20 cm.
What size bag can I take on easyJet for free?
The free personal item can be up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm, including handles and pockets. It must fit under the seat, not in the overhead locker.
What is the easyJet cabin bag size limit?
The cabin bag can be up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm and weigh no more than 15 kg. It goes in the overhead locker and costs extra on most fare types.
Can I take a backpack on easyJet for free?
Yes, provided it fits within the 45 x 36 x 20 cm personal item limit and goes under the seat. A larger backpack that meets the 56 x 45 x 25 cm cabin bag limit requires a paid cabin bag allowance.
How much does easyJet charge for a cabin bag?
Large cabin bag prices vary by route and date, and popular routes typically cost £15 to £35 online. At the airport it costs £60, so buy in advance.
How much does easyJet hold luggage cost?
Hold luggage starts from £6.99 when booked online. Adding a bag at the airport bag drop costs £60, so add it when you book your flight.
What happens if my bag is too big at the easyJet gate?
If your bag exceeds the personal item limit and you haven’t paid for a cabin bag, easyJet will put it in the hold and charge you. A large cabin bag costs £60 at the airport or gate.
Can I take liquids in my easyJet hand luggage?
Yes, but the limit depends on your departure airport. Luton and Manchester still cap each container at 100ml, while Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Southend allow up to 2 litres. Our easyJet liquid rules guide has the full list.
Kate Acaster is Chief Editor at Flight Tribe. She writes about practical travel planning, budget airlines, baggage rules, city breaks, beach holidays and good hotels that do not cost daft money.
Kate has travelled through Europe, South America and beyond, usually with a notebook, a half-formed plan and a strong opinion on airport snacks. At Flight Tribe, her work focuses on helping UK travellers understand what is included, what costs extra, and whether a trip is worth booking at the price shown.
How Kate works
Kate checks the details that can change the value of a trip, including cabin-bag rules, airline fees, hotel location, seasonality, travel dates and booking conditions. She is especially interested in offers that look useful on the surface but need a proper reader-first check before they are worth recommending.
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