If you’re feeling confused about the airline cabin baggage size for Ryanair, you’re not alone.
I travel with just cabin baggage on Ryanair flights all the time so I’m here to simplify it for you!
Here’s what you need to know…
- Every passenger gets one FREE ‘personal item’. This bag is intended to go on the floor under the seat in front of you. This bag can be 40 x 20 x 25cm. It’s the size of a small backpack or a large handbag. This bag is included in your ticket. You don’t need to pay any extra for it or book it in any way. There is no weight limit to this bag but Ryanair can be strict about ensuring it’s the correct size!
- You can opt to pay extra for a larger cabin bag too which you’ll take on the plane with you alongside your personal item. When you pay for this extra bag you also get Priority Boarding. This extra bag can be 50 x 40 x 20cm and must weigh 10kg or less. This will usually be a small suitcase or a large backpack and goes in the overhead lockers on the plane. The price for this cabin bag will vary depending on the flight. Within the price you also get priority boarding and you can also take a free personal item bag too.
Hopefully that simplifies it a bit.
The vanity case is ‘free personal size’ and the suitcase is ‘paid priority cabin bag size’.
Here are my favourite bags to take on a Ryanair flight:
Ryanair personal item bags – 40 x 20 x 25cm – Free
- The Travel Hack Backpack
- Cabin Max Metz 20L
- Metz Hybrid 20L – Personal item that converts from a backpack to a suitcase if you struggle to carry a bag
Ryanair Priority Bags – 50 x 40 x 20cm – Price varies
- Annode 40L hardshell suitcase
- The Travel Hack Cabin Case – Ryanair Priority Bag + has an easy access pocket which makes removing items at security and accessing your belongings during the flight easier
- METZ 44L backpack – if you prefer a backpack
Ryanair Priority boarding
If you’re paying for a cabin bag then you automatically get priority boarding included in the fee. Personally, I prefer to get on the plane last, especially when I’m travelling with children, as it’s less time queuing and sitting in my seat!
But if you are putting a suitcase in the overhead lockers then I do recommend using your priority boarding to ensure there is space to put your luggage in the overhead compartment near your seat. Once that compartment above your head is full you’ll need to put it somewhere else which can be difficult when you’re getting off the plane. If you’re sat at the front of the plane and your suitcase is at the back then you’ll have to wait for all the passengers to disembark before you can go and get your suitcase. So I do recommend you try your very best to get your suitcase in the lockers closest to where you’re sitting.
Ryanair can be strict and they do measure your bags!
Ryanair seems to go through phases where they check everyone’s luggage for weeks and then no one gets checked at all. So, to be safe, I’d just assume your luggage will be checked.
I’ve actually only seen someone’s bag be weighed once but they do regularly check your bags fit in their sizer. If your bag is too big then you’ll have to pay for it to go in the hold which is both expensive and frustrating because you’ll then have to wait for it when you get off the plane.
On the left in this pic are 3 Ryanair sized ‘free’ bags. The bag on the right is the easyJet ‘free’ bag. They are very different sizes so be sure you’ve got the right one!
Adding cabin baggage after your booking
If you’re packing your bags and realise there’s no way you can fit everything in and you need to add extra baggage, do it ASAP. The further in advance you pay for your luggage the cheaper it is.
But be aware that if it’s a busy flight there might not be space for extra cabin baggage and you may only have the option for hold luggage which goes under the plane. Some people prefer this but others don’t want to wait at the baggage carousel to collect their luggage.
Duty-free bags on Ryanair
You can also take duty-free bags on board as well as your free bag and priority bag. I rarely buy duty free but I do stock up on food and drink at the airport so I’ve usually got a Pret bag with me as I board the plane.
If you’re taking a handbag or laptop bag
A handbag or laptop bag is counted as your ‘personal’ bag and must be 40 x 20 x 25cm or smaller. You can’t take it on as an additional bag. There’s no point taking a tiny handbag on a Ryanair flight, you might as well take a bigger one.
Travel Hack Tip: I pretty much always sneak a small handbag on, especially when I’m wearing a coat. I just tuck it underneath my coat and no one has ever said anything. I like having a small handbag to keep my passport, Kindle and phone safe. But I do recommend saving some space in your hand luggage so if someone pulls you up on it, you can squeeze it into your backpack or suitcase.
Taking food and drinks in your cabin baggage
You can take food and drink on board, either food you’ve prepared at home or something you buy in the airport. But to take liquids through security they need to be in clear containers sized 100ml or less.
If you buy food and drink in the airport after you’ve gone through security then it’s fine and you can take any size liquid.
If you’re taking food from home just remember that a liquid is classed as ‘anything you can spread’. I saw two people who worked at airport security having a disagreement about whether or not a man’s pasty (it was a Greggs steak bake) should be confiscated. Technically, it had liquid in the middle but, eventually, they did let him take it.
If you’re taking a water bottle on the plane, just remember to empty out the water before you go through security and then fill it up at a water fountain or restaurant once you’re through.
Travel Hack Tip: I like to finish my whole water bottle before I go through security – which often means downing 750ml of water! But it always makes me feel good and I know I’m hydrated before I get on the plane. I always travel with this 750ml insulated Super Sparrow bottle.
Taking liquids in your Ryanair hand luggage
You can take liquids in your hand luggage but to get them through airport security liquids must be in bottles or containers sized 100ml or less to go through security. They must also be in a resealable plastic bag like this one.
This rule was meant to change from September 1st 2024 but, realistically, most airports don’t have the technology yet to allow liquids over 100ml.
- 【See Through and Waterproof Secure】Toiletry bag are made of transparent high quality material, eco-friendly to see and get items quickly. Advanced seamless crimping process are waterproof to to...
- 【Item Size】The clear makeup bag is in size of 20*15*6.5cm/ 7.9*5.9*2.5inches that are large enough to hold liquid bottles or other small toiletries,making the travel toiletry bag neat and tidy.
- 【Multi-Usage】There are 1 portable size clear plastic bags for airport security that meet a wide variety of usage scenarios. The clear bag for airport liquids are perfectly suitable for travel...
- [Refillable Travel Pouches for Toiletries] What you get: Empty squeeze bags: 30 ml x3, 50 ml x3, 100 ml x3, 30 ml spray bottles x2, glass jars 10 ml cream x2, 2 toothbrush covers, 1 mini spatula, 1...
- [Reliable Material] Each reusable travel bottles in Korintin portable travel fluid makeup packing bag is expertly made from high-quality materials, ensure long-term, reliable use for years to come....
- [Compact Design] The clear pouches with stand-up spout makes it easy to see the liquids inside and there are labeled sheets for sorting them. Each bag has a flip-top lid that's less likely to spill or...
I like to use these little pouches as it’s easier to squeeze the last of your liquids out and they take up less space.
Read more: How to travel with hand luggage liquids and fit all your bottles in that tiny bag!
Cabin baggage when travelling with children and infants on Ryanair flights
If your child is aged 2 or over then you’ll have to pay for a regular seat for them, so they get the same baggage allowance as an adult ticket.
My children travel with the Cabin Max Metz 20L for Ryanair. My older two children have the regular backpack but my youngest likes the Metz 20L Hybrid which can be used as a backpack or pull along case.
If your child is under two and has an infant ticket then you don’t need to purchase a seat (you do still need to pay airport fees and taxes which is usually £25 each way) and that child can sit on your lap.
With an Infant ticket Ryanair allows a baby bag up to 5kg (dimensions: 45x35x20cms) for babies travelling on an adult’s lap.
Taking medical equipment (e.g., CPAP machine, medication) on a Ryanair flight
You can take medical equipment on a Ryanair flight but it needs to fit in your cabin bag. You can take this onboard for free in addition to your regular luggage but you do need to arrange it with Ryanair’s Special Assistance Team. You will need a medical equipment baggage waiver letter to carry any medical equipment onboard.
How to fit everything in if you don’t want to pay for extra luggage
First of all, I’d recommend using compressible packing cubes to help squeeze the air out from between your clothes. Secondly, opt for thin, lightweight fabrics or items you can wear multiple times such as black jeans which can be styled in so many ways.
Avoid taking extra shoes and cut out any extra ‘just in case’ items. You never need them.
I have lots more tips on packing light and loads of videos on Instagram @TheTravelHack.
Here’s a reminder of the bags I like to fly with…
I love the look of this combo travelling with a matching vanity and suitcase but I actually find it quite difficult and prefer a backpack and a suitcase. With the vanity + suitcase you’ll struggle up and down stairs because you have one in each hand and there aren’t any external pockets for your phone and passport and water bottle etc so you have to rely on coat pockets for all the items you need frequent access to.