Ryanair hand luggage rules 2026: size, weight and what fits for free

Ryanair hand luggage means one free small personal bag of up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm that fits under the seat in front of you; anything larger, such as a 10 kg cabin bag, is a paid extra. That one sentence covers most trips, but the details decide whether you board calmly or pay at the gate. This guide is about the bags themselves: sizes, weights and what to buy. For what you are allowed to pack inside (liquids, power banks, food), see our guide to what you can bring in hand luggage.

Ryanair hand luggage size in 2026

Ryanair’s free small bag measures up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. The airline confirmed the size in September 2025, when it finished installing bigger bag sizers at its airports and described the bag as a third larger than the 40 x 30 x 15 cm EU standard. The limit includes wheels, handles and outer pockets.

• Small personal bag: up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm, free with every fare, under the seat.
• 10 kg cabin bag: up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg, only with the paid Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option, in the overhead locker.
• Checked bags: bought separately and dropped at the bag drop desk before security.

Not sure about your own bag? Type its measurements into our hand luggage size checker and it tells you which Ryanair option it fits.

Is there a weight limit for the free Ryanair bag?

For the free small bag, Ryanair states a size limit rather than a weight limit. In practice the size does the work: a 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag that closes properly and slides under the seat is what the gate staff look for. The 10 kg limit applies to the paid cabin bag.

What fits in a 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag?

More than people think, as long as you choose a soft bag. A 40 x 30 x 20 cm backpack holds roughly what a school bag does. For a one-day trip that is plenty:

• Phone, charger and a power bank
• A light jacket or jumper that you can also wear on the plane
• An empty refillable bottle
• Passport or ID card, bank card and a little cash
• A small toiletry bag with liquids in 100 ml containers
• Sunglasses, a compact umbrella and snacks

Avoid rigid hard-shell bags at this size. A soft backpack can be pressed into the sizer; a hard case cannot.

When is Priority & 2 Cabin Bags worth it?

Priority & 2 Cabin Bags adds a 10 kg bag of up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm for the overhead locker and lets you board first. It makes sense on a longer trip, or if you are bringing back something bulky. On a day trip it is rarely needed: you fly out in the morning, sleep at home the same night and do not need a change of clothes.

The price varies by route and date, so check it in the booking flow rather than relying on a figure you saw online. Buying it later or at the airport usually costs more than adding it when you book.

Ryanair check-in: the step that catches people out

At the time of writing, Ryanair’s help centre says online check-in is free and opens 24 hours before departure if you have not paid for a seat, or up to 60 days before if you have. It closes two hours before departure. Checking in at the airport desk instead costs a fee, so put a reminder in your phone the day before.

With only the free small bag you do not need the bag drop desk at all: check in online, save the boarding pass to your phone and go straight to security. Our airport guide for a one-day trip covers timing and security in detail.

What happens at the gate

Ryanair checks bags at the boarding gate with a sizer frame. If your small bag does not fit, you pay a fee and the bag goes in the hold, or it can be refused. Measure the bag packed, not empty, and leave a centimetre of margin on the depth.

Every one-day trip in the Daytrip app is planned around flying with just the free bag, so you can book the cheapest fare and still have the whole day sorted, hour by hour.

FAQ: Ryanair hand luggage