Ryanair Carry-On Baggage 2026: Dimensions, Weight & Cost-Saving Tips

Last updated: 28 October 2026 · Ryanair's fees and dimensions change regularly. We update this article on an ongoing basis – for binding figures, please check ryanair.com before booking.

How big can your cabin bag actually be with Ryanair? And what does the larger cabin bag cost? Ryanair is one of Europe's cheapest airlines – but also one of the strictest when it comes to baggage. If you show up at the gate unprepared, you can easily end up paying more for your luggage than for the flight itself. In this guide, you'll find all the current Ryanair cabin baggage rules for 2026, the actual dimensions and weights, the costs for Priority Boarding and checked baggage, and our best money-saving tips to make sure you never fall into the €70 gate-fee trap.

Ryanair cabin baggage 2026 – the rules at a glance

With Ryanair, your cabin baggage allowance depends on the fare you've booked. In the cheapest fare, one small bag is included; with "Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" or in the Regular and Flexi Plus fares, a second, larger cabin bag is added. Both items of luggage are subject to fixed size and weight limits – exceed them, and you'll pay extra at the airport.

1. Small cabin bag – free with every fare

With every Ryanair fare, you're allowed to bring one small personal item on board free of charge. It must fit under the seat in front of you and must not exceed the following dimensions:

• Dimensions: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (in effect at all airports since 4 September 2025)
• Weight: no official weight limit, but the bag must fit comfortably under the seat in front of you
• Suitable for this: small underseater bags, compact backpacks or shoulder bags

According to Ryanair, this item must fit entirely within the stated dimensions – including wheels, handles and outer pockets. At the gate, sizers are often used, and your bag must fit completely inside.

2. Large cabin bag – only with Priority, Regular or Flexi Plus

You get the second, larger cabin bag either by adding Priority Boarding or automatically with the Regular and Flexi Plus fares. The Plus fare, by contrast, only includes the small bag and one checked bag up to 20 kg. The following rules apply to this larger cabin bag:

• Dimensions: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
• Weight: max. 10 kg
• Stowage: in the overhead bin above your seat
• Suitable for this: cabin suitcases measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm, cabin backpacks or travel bags in this size

Overview: Ryanair cabin baggage at a glance

What does Priority Boarding cost with Ryanair?

You can add Priority Boarding either directly when booking your flight or afterwards, up to 40 minutes before departure, via the Ryanair app. The price is dynamic and depends on the route, booking time and how full the flight is:

• Price: €12.49 to €36 online per route
• Included in the price: priority boarding + second cabin bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg)
• Tip: booking early pays off – Priority is often considerably more expensive shortly before departure

For a booking for two people, Priority quickly adds up to over €40 return. Beyond this threshold, the 10 kg checked bag is usually the cheaper alternative – more on that in the next section.

Checked baggage with Ryanair – the affordable alternative

If you want to bring more with you, you can also book checked baggage. Ryanair offers two classic options:

• 10 kg checked bag – from €10.49 online, significantly more expensive at the airport
• 20 kg checked bag – from €21.49 online

The price difference between booking online and buying at the airport is considerable with Ryanair: a 20 kg bag costs from €21.49 online, but from €39.99 at the airport. So if you declare your luggage when booking, you save real money. Up to three checked bags per person are allowed.

Gate fees with Ryanair – the costly trap

The dreaded gate fee applies whenever your cabin bag turns out to be too big or too heavy at the boarding gate and therefore has to be transferred to the hold:

• Fee for exceeding the size limit: approx. €70–75 per item
• Fee without Priority and with oversized luggage: the bag must be checked in – at a cost
• Strict checks: Ryanair is notably more rigorous with sizer checks than other airlines

Travellers with classic 55 × 40 × 23 cm cabin suitcases or so-called "expandable" suitcases are particularly often caught out, as their outer dimensions when fully packed are slightly over the limit. Overstuffed backpacks with bulging sides also regularly lead to gate fees.

Liquids in your Ryanair cabin baggage

The same EU-wide liquid rules apply to Ryanair as to all other airlines. You may only carry liquids in small quantities in your cabin baggage:

• Individual containers of no more than 100 ml
• All containers together in one transparent, resealable plastic bag (1 litre)
• A maximum of one bag per person
• Remove separately from your cabin bag at security

Liquids also include gels, creams, toothpaste, roll-on deodorant, perfume and contact lens solution. You'll find a suitable flight liquid bag in our shop.

What is and isn't allowed in Ryanair cabin baggage?

Allowed in cabin baggage

• Laptop, tablet, smartphone, e-book reader, camera
• Power banks up to 100 Wh, maximum two per person (Ryanair won't carry larger ones at all)
• Medication (in original packaging, with a doctor's note if needed)
• Baby food in the quantity needed for the flight
• E-cigarettes (cabin baggage only, not in checked baggage)

Not allowed in cabin baggage

• Sharp objects (knives with blades of 6 cm or more, scissors, metal nail files)
• Tools over 6 cm (screwdrivers, hammers, pliers)
• Flammable substances (lighter fuel, gas, aerosol cans over 100 ml)
• Firearms, ammunition, fireworks
• Liquids over 100 ml per container

Which suitcase fits Ryanair's cabin baggage rules?

For Ryanair, we recommend one of the following luggage types depending on your trip. All linked categories feature only models with suitable dimensions:

• Free cabin bag only (short trip, 1–2 nights): underseater bags and backpacks measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm
• With Priority (weekend trip, 3–4 days): cabin suitcases measuring exactly 55 × 40 × 20 cm
• Backpack fans: cabin backpacks from Eastpak, Osprey or Herschel
• Soft bag instead of a suitcase: travel bags in Ryanair format – 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, an extra compartment for your liquids bag.

5 money-saving tips for your Ryanair cabin baggage

1. Only add Priority if necessary: for a city break of more than 3 nights, the 40 × 30 × 20 cm bag is often enough. Pack smart and save €12.49 to €36 per route.
2. Book online rather than at the airport: checked baggage costs considerably more at the airport than online. Declare it right away when booking your flight.
3. Share checked baggage for two: one 20 kg suitcase for two people is usually cheaper than 2× Priority + 2× large cabin bag.
4. Choose a lightweight suitcase: every kilogram of empty weight eats into your packing allowance. Modern cabin suitcases often weigh under 2.5 kg.
5. Stick to the dimensions: a 53 × 38 × 20 cm suitcase is safer than one that's cutting it exactly to the limit. Gate staff measure strictly – even 1–2 cm oversize is enough to trigger the €70 fee.

Ryanair cabin baggage compared with other airlines

At 40 × 30 × 20 cm, Ryanair's free cabin bag allowance sits in the European midfield: Easyjet allows 45 × 36 × 20 cm free of charge, while Eurowings and Lufthansa, depending on the fare, even allow a full cabin bag free of charge. In return, Ryanair tickets are often cheaper – even with optional baggage add-ons, Ryanair often remains the cheapest option overall.

Frequently asked questions about Ryanair cabin baggage