TUI hand luggage allows one cabin bag up to 55×40×20cm weighing no more than 10kg, plus a free personal item of 40×30×20cm. Both are included on every TUI booking at no extra cost, for all passengers aged 2 and over.
That puts TUI ahead of most low-cost carriers, where a second bag often costs extra. Here is everything you need to know about what you can take on board.
TUI hand luggage size and weight
TUI allows two separate bags in the cabin for every passenger aged 2 and over:
| Bag type | Max dimensions | Max weight | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin bag | 55 × 40 × 20cm | 10kg | Overhead locker |
| Personal item | 40 × 30 × 20cm | No stated limit | Under the seat |
The 10kg limit applies only to your cabin bag. Your personal item has no stated weight limit, though it still needs to fit under the seat in front of you. TUI does not charge for either bag — the allowance is the same on every fare.
For full details of what TUI permits in the hold, see our guide to the TUI baggage allowance.
How big is the TUI cabin bag?
The maximum dimensions are 55cm × 40cm × 20cm, including any handles, pockets, and wheels. Most standard carry-on bags sold in UK shops are designed to these measurements. If you are unsure, check your bag against a tape measure before you travel.
The depth of 20cm is the most common reason bags are turned away at the gate. A hard-shell four-wheel case can bulge beyond 20cm when packed. Soft bags compress more easily and tend to cause fewer problems.
What counts as a personal item on TUI?
Your personal item could be a small rucksack, a handbag, a laptop bag, or a small soft holdall. It needs to fit within 40×30×20cm and slide under the seat in front of you.
A children’s Trunki counts as the child’s cabin bag allowance, not a separate personal item. If your child brings a Trunki, it takes the place of their 55×40×20cm cabin bag. They still get a personal item in addition. You can check TUI’s luggage policy directly if you want to confirm before you pack.
TUI recommends keeping valuables, travel documents, and anything you need during the flight in your personal item so it stays accessible throughout the journey.
How strict is TUI with hand luggage at the gate?
TUI does carry out hand luggage checks at the boarding gate, particularly on busy routes and during school holiday periods. Weight is what gate staff focus on most. Bags that are obviously too large are also checked.
If your cabin bag is over 10kg at the gate and you have not bought a hold luggage allowance, TUI could charge you £55 to check a 15kg bag into the hold. Buying hold luggage in advance is cheaper, so it is worth adding one if you are packing close to the 10kg limit.
TUI is stricter than many package holiday operators but broadly less rigorous than Ryanair. If you want to understand how hand luggage enforcement compares across airlines, our guide to UK airline hand luggage sizes has the full picture.
What happens if my TUI bag is over the limit?
If your bag is flagged at the gate, TUI staff will weigh it. If it exceeds 10kg, you will be asked to remove items or pay to check the bag into the hold. The airport rate is £55 for 15kg of hold luggage if you have not pre-purchased an allowance.
The most practical approach is to weigh your cabin bag at home before you leave. Most bathroom scales work fine if you hold the bag and subtract your own weight.
Liquids in TUI hand luggage
The rules for liquids are set by UK airport security, not by TUI. They apply to all passengers departing from UK airports, regardless of airline:
- Each liquid container must hold no more than 100ml
- All containers must go in a single transparent, resealable plastic bag of no more than one litre
- You can only take one such bag per person
- Remove the bag from your carry-on and place it in a separate tray at the security checkpoint
This covers drinks, toiletries, gels, pastes, and aerosols. Any bottle larger than 100ml needs to be in your hold luggage or emptied before the security checkpoint. You could buy drinks once you are past security in the departures area.
Exceptions apply for baby milk, food, and medication you need during the flight. Declare these at the security checkpoint. The Flight Tribe luggage checker has a quick-reference guide to what you can and cannot take.
Children and infants
Passengers aged 2 and over get the full adult allowance: a 55×40×20cm cabin bag plus a 40×30×20cm personal item. This applies to all children on their own seat from age 2 upwards.
Infants under 2 who travel on a lap ticket do not receive a hand luggage allowance. If you are travelling with a baby, factor this into your packing. You could use part of your own cabin bag or personal item for nappies, formula, and other essentials needed during the flight.
How TUI compares to other UK airlines
TUI’s hand luggage policy is among the most generous for a UK carrier. Other airlines have different rules, and in some cases you will pay extra for what TUI includes by default.
| Airline | Cabin bag | Personal item | Included on all fares? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TUI | 55 × 40 × 20cm, 10kg | 40 × 30 × 20cm | Yes |
| Jet2 | 56 × 45 × 25cm, 10kg | None | Yes (one bag only) |
| easyJet | 56 × 45 × 25cm, 15kg | 45 × 36 × 20cm | Large bag charged extra |
| Ryanair | 55 × 40 × 20cm, 10kg | 40 × 25 × 20cm | Cabin bag: Priority only |
| Wizz Air | 55 × 40 × 23cm, 10kg | 40 × 30 × 20cm | Cabin bag charged extra |
Jet2 gives a slightly larger cabin bag but no personal item — so you get one piece of carry-on luggage compared to TUI’s two. easyJet allows a second bag on standard fares but charges extra for the large cabin bag. Ryanair on standard fares limits you to a small under-seat bag. You pay for Priority to get the larger cabin bag overhead.
See our full guides to Ryanair hand luggage, easyJet hand luggage, and Jet2 hand luggage for more detail on each airline’s enforcement.
Is TUI better value than other airlines for hand luggage?
Yes, for most travellers. TUI gives you two free bags on every fare. On Ryanair’s standard fare, you could pay more than £25 for a comparable allowance. For a family of four, that difference adds up quickly.
It is also worth checking your TUI seat selection options at the same time, so everything is confirmed before your trip.
TUI hand luggage: your questions answered
Can I take a 15kg bag on TUI as hand luggage?
No. The cabin bag limit is 10kg. Bags over 10kg could be checked into the hold at the gate, at a cost of £55 for 15kg if you have not pre-purchased a hold allowance.
Does TUI weigh hand luggage at the gate?
TUI does weigh hand luggage on some routes, particularly during busy holiday periods. Gate staff tend to focus on weight rather than dimensions, but obviously oversized bags are also challenged.
Can I take a laptop on TUI in my hand luggage?
Yes. A laptop counts as part of your personal item or cabin bag. Remove it from your bag and place it separately in a tray at the security checkpoint before boarding.
What is the TUI personal item size?
The personal item maximum size is 40×30×20cm. It goes under the seat in front of you. TUI does not state a weight limit for the personal item.
Can infants take hand luggage on TUI?
No. Infants under 2 who travel on a lap ticket do not receive a hand luggage allowance. Children aged 2 and over get the full adult allowance.
Does TUI allow a Trunki as hand luggage?
Yes. A Trunki counts as the child’s cabin bag allowance (the 55×40×20cm slot, up to 10kg). The child also gets a separate 40×30×20cm personal item in addition.
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This guide is part of our complete Flying with TUI guide, which covers everything UK passengers need to know about flying with TUI.
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.
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