Ryanair Baggage Allowance 2026: Carry-On Size, Checked Bags, and Fees
Are you planning to fly with Ryanair and want to know how much luggage you can bring? Understanding the Ryanair baggage allowance before departure can help you avoid unexpected charges, choose the right baggage option, and prepare for a comfortable journey.
Ryanair offers different baggage options depending on your ticket type and the extras you select during booking. Every passenger can bring one small personal bag free of charge, while larger cabin bags and checked luggage usually require an additional payment or a fare that includes the relevant baggage benefit. Knowing the difference between cabin baggage and checked baggage can help you select the right option for your trip.
In this guide, we explain Ryanair cabin bag size, the free personal item allowance, 10kg cabin and checked bags, 20kg checked baggage, baggage fees, overweight luggage rules, and useful packing tips for 2026.
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Ryanair Cabin Baggage Allowance 2026
The Ryanair cabin baggage allowance is designed to keep the airline’s basic fares affordable. Every passenger can bring one small personal bag on board without paying an extra baggage fee. This bag must fit underneath the seat in front of you, so choosing a compact backpack, handbag, or laptop bag can help you stay within the airline’s requirements.
Ryanair’s free small bag dimensions are 40 × 30 × 20 cm. Before travelling, measure your bag carefully, including any parts that could affect whether it fits inside the baggage sizer. A bag that looks small enough when empty may become too bulky when fully packed.
Passengers who need more space can purchase an additional cabin baggage option. However, the free personal item does not automatically include a larger suitcase for the overhead locker. If you plan to bring more than one bag into the cabin, check your booking to confirm that the correct baggage option is included.
Ryanair Carry-On Baggage Size and Weight Limit
The permitted Ryanair carry-on baggage size depends on the type of bag you have purchased. The free personal item must measure no more than 40 × 30 × 20 cm and fit under the seat. Ryanair does not specify a separate weight limit for this small bag on its main baggage policy page, but passengers must still follow the size and storage requirements.
If you purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, you can take your small personal bag along with a larger cabin bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and weighing up to 10kg. The larger bag is intended for the overhead locker, while the smaller item remains under the seat.
It is important to distinguish between a 10kg cabin bag and a 10kg checked bag. The cabin version travels with you on board when your booking includes the appropriate option. The checked version must be handed over at the airport bag-drop desk before security and travels in the aircraft’s hold. Choosing the wrong option may result in extra charges at the airport.
Ryanair Priority and 2 Cabin Bags
Ryanair Priority & 2 Cabin Bags is an option for passengers who want to take two bags into the aircraft cabin. It includes the standard small personal item and one additional cabin bag of up to 10kg, measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm. It also includes priority boarding, subject to the conditions of your booking.
This option may be useful for short business trips, weekend breaks, or journeys where you want to keep essential belongings close at hand. You could place documents, medication, electronics, and valuables in your small bag while keeping clothing and other items in the larger cabin bag.
The price of Priority & 2 Cabin Bags varies according to the route, travel date, and booking conditions. Availability may also be limited on some flights. If you know you will need the larger cabin bag, consider selecting it during the initial booking process rather than waiting until the airport.
If Priority & 2 Cabin Bags is sold out, Ryanair may still offer a 10kg check-in bag. This option provides additional luggage space, but the bag must be checked in rather than carried into the cabin.
Ryanair Checked Baggage Allowance
The Ryanair checked baggage allowance is suitable for passengers who need more space than a small personal bag or cabin suitcase can provide. The airline offers different checked baggage options, including 10kg, 20kg, and 23kg bags, depending on the available products and booking conditions.
A 10kg check-in bag is a practical choice for travellers who need a little extra room but do not want to carry a larger suitcase through the airport. You must take this bag to the designated bag-drop desk before passing through security. Purchasing a 10kg check-in bag does not mean that the suitcase can automatically be taken into the cabin.
For longer holidays or family trips, a 20kg checked bag may be more suitable. Ryanair’s published baggage rules allow passengers to purchase up to three 20kg checked bags on a booking, subject to the airline’s conditions. Each bag has its own weight allowance, and any applicable baggage fee is charged according to the journey and booking.
Ryanair also lists a 23kg checked bag option. The airline’s published terms limit this option to one such bag per passenger booking, and its availability and purchase conditions may differ from those for a 20kg bag. Check your booking carefully before paying, especially if you are travelling with multiple suitcases.
Ryanair 10kg Checked Bag Rules
The Ryanair 10kg checked bag is different from the 10kg cabin bag offered with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags. Although both options have a 10kg weight allowance, they are handled differently at the airport.
With a 10kg checked bag, you must drop off the suitcase at the airport before going through security. It is then loaded into the aircraft’s hold and returned through the baggage reclaim area after arrival. This option can be convenient if you prefer not to carry your suitcase around the terminal or place it in the overhead locker.
Before your journey, make sure the 10kg checked bag is added to your reservation. If you arrive at the boarding gate with a bag that should have been checked in, you could face additional charges or other handling arrangements under Ryanair’s rules. Always follow the instructions in your booking confirmation and check the latest guidance from the airline.
Ryanair 20kg and 23kg Checked Baggage
The Ryanair 20kg checked baggage option is commonly useful for passengers travelling for a week or longer. It offers more space for clothes, shoes, toiletries, and other permitted items. You can also purchase more than one 20kg bag when the booking allows it, which may be useful for families or travellers carrying equipment.
The 23kg checked bag provides a higher weight allowance for passengers who need to pack more. However, it has specific purchase conditions, so it is important to check whether it is available for your flight and whether you can add it after the original reservation has been completed.
Do not assume that purchasing a checked bag allows you to exceed the individual weight limit. A bag purchased with a 20kg allowance should remain within that allowance unless you pay for any permitted excess weight. The same principle applies to the 10kg and 23kg options.
Ryanair permits baggage allowance sharing among passengers travelling on the same reservation in certain circumstances, but individual bags must still comply with the airline’s maximum weight rules. Check the current official terms before relying on shared baggage allowances.
Ryanair Baggage Fees in 2026
Ryanair baggage fees depend on the route, travel dates, type of baggage, and when you add the option to your booking. The small personal bag is included in the standard fare, but additional cabin and checked baggage usually cost extra unless they are included in the fare bundle you purchased.
Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, a 10kg check-in bag, a 20kg checked bag, and a 23kg checked bag have different prices. The fee shown for your specific flight is the most reliable figure to use because prices can vary between routes and booking periods. Airport purchases may also cost more than adding baggage online in advance.
To reduce your Ryanair baggage costs, review your luggage needs before booking. If you only need a small backpack, the free personal item may be sufficient. If you need a larger cabin suitcase, compare the available fare bundles and baggage add-ons. For longer trips, check whether one checked suitcase is more practical than paying for multiple smaller options.
You should also review your reservation before departure to make sure that the correct bag has been purchased for each passenger and each flight. Baggage fees generally apply separately to each flight segment where required by the booking terms.
Ryanair Overweight and Oversized Baggage Rules
Passengers should check both the dimensions and weight of their luggage before leaving for the airport. If a cabin bag does not fit the permitted baggage sizer, Ryanair may refuse it at the boarding gate or, where available, place it in the hold for an additional fee. This can be more expensive than selecting the right baggage option in advance.
For checked baggage, any weight above the allowance may result in an excess baggage charge. Ryanair’s published terms describe a per-kilogram excess-weight fee, but the applicable amount and conditions should be confirmed through the airline’s current fee information before travelling.
Ryanair also applies restrictions to very heavy or oversized checked items. Its baggage guidance states that an individual checked bag must not exceed 32kg, subject to specific exceptions such as mobility equipment. Oversized items may require special handling and additional charges.
Weigh your suitcase at home and leave a small margin for souvenirs or last-minute items. It is also a good idea to measure the packed suitcase, including its wheels and handles, so that it fits the relevant size restrictions.
Ryanair Baggage Allowance for Infants and Families
Travelling with a baby requires some additional planning. Ryanair does not provide a separate cabin bag allowance for an infant travelling on an adult’s lap. However, the airline allows a baby bag weighing up to 5kg, with maximum dimensions of 45 × 35 × 20 cm, for an infant travelling on an adult’s lap.
Ryanair also permits two items of baby equipment free of charge per child under its published policy. Families should check the current rules and booking conditions to confirm which items qualify and how they must be presented at the airport.
Parents should pack essential baby supplies in the permitted baby bag and confirm whether any additional suitcase needs to be purchased. If you are travelling with a stroller, car seat, or other equipment, check the airline’s current instructions before departure to avoid confusion at bag drop or boarding.
Tips to Avoid Ryanair Baggage Charges
The easiest way to avoid unexpected Ryanair baggage fees is to check your allowance before packing. Read the baggage details in your reservation and confirm whether your fare includes only a small personal item or also provides a larger cabin bag or checked suitcase.
Use a measuring tape to check your bag dimensions and a luggage scale to confirm its weight. Avoid overfilling soft backpacks, as bulging sides can make them difficult to fit inside a baggage sizer. Keep travel documents, medication, electronics, and other essential items accessible in the bag you are permitted to take into the cabin.
If you need extra baggage, compare the options available online before reaching the airport. Adding the correct baggage allowance in advance can help you avoid last-minute charges. Finally, check the official Ryanair baggage policy again before travelling, because rules, prices, and product availability may change.
For more travel guidance, visit the AirlineFeed baggage policy guide to explore baggage rules and packing information for other airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ryanair Baggage Allowance
What is the free Ryanair cabin bag size in 2026?
Ryanair includes one small personal bag measuring up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm. It must fit under the seat in front of you. A larger cabin bag requires an eligible fare or an additional baggage option.
Can I take a 10kg bag on Ryanair?
Yes. You can take a 10kg bag into the cabin if your booking includes Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or another eligible fare benefit. Alternatively, you can purchase a 10kg check-in bag, which must be dropped off before security.
How much checked baggage can I take on Ryanair?
Ryanair offers 10kg, 20kg, and 23kg checked baggage options, subject to availability and booking conditions. The number of bags permitted depends on the option selected and the airline’s rules.
Does Ryanair charge for checked baggage?
Checked baggage usually costs extra unless it is included in your fare or booking package. Prices vary by route, travel date, baggage type, and when you purchase the allowance.
What happens if my Ryanair bag is overweight?
If your checked bag exceeds its purchased weight allowance, an excess baggage fee may apply. A cabin bag that exceeds the permitted size may be refused at the gate or placed in the hold for an additional charge where available.
Can I add baggage after booking a Ryanair flight?
Ryanair generally allows passengers to add eligible baggage through its website or app after booking, subject to the option’s availability and the applicable deadline. Check your reservation for the available choices and current prices.
Final Thoughts on Ryanair Baggage Allowance 2026
Understanding the Ryanair baggage allowance before your flight can help you pack confidently and avoid unnecessary costs. The free 40 × 30 × 20 cm personal bag is suitable for light travellers, while Priority & 2 Cabin Bags gives eligible passengers the option to bring a larger 10kg cabin bag. For longer journeys, the airline’s checked baggage options provide additional space.
Always confirm the baggage allowance and fees shown in your own booking before travelling, as options and prices can vary. With the right bag size and a little preparation, you can make your Ryanair journey easier and avoid many common baggage problems.
