Ryanair baggage rules, explained
Updated September 2026
Ryanair's baggage rules are simple once you separate them by what you've paid for — the confusion almost always comes from assuming a fare includes more than it does.
What's actually free
Every fare includes one small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you — currently sized at roughly 40 x 20 x 25 cm. That's it. No wheeled bag, no overhead-locker space, is included in the base fare. If you've booked the cheapest Ryanair ticket and packed a normal-sized wheeled carry-on, it is not covered — you'll be asked to pay at the gate, and gate pricing is Ryanair's most expensive tier.
The Priority cabin bag (paid)
Priority fares and add-ons unlock a second, larger allowance: a 10 kg cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm for the overhead locker, on top of the free personal item. This is the allowance most people picture when they think of a normal carry-on — but on Ryanair it's an upgrade, not a default. Check your bag against this exact limit with our carry-on checker, which includes Ryanair alongside 52 other airlines.
Checked bags
Ryanair sells checked bags in two weight tiers — roughly 10 kg and 20 kg — for around €/£25 each when added during booking. Adding a checked bag later, or at the airport, costs significantly more (roughly €/£40–50). You can add up to three checked bags per person per one-way flight. Bags that exceed their weight tier are charged excess fees of around €/£11 per kilogram, up to a hard maximum of 32 kg per bag.
The most common way to get caught out
It's rarely the checked bag that causes surprise fees — it's bringing a normal-sized wheeled carry-on on a fare that only includes the small under-seat item. If you're not paying for Priority, pack into a genuinely small personal item, or budget for the Priority add-on (or checked bag) up front — both are cheaper booked in advance than paid for at the gate.
Bottom line
Match your bag to what you actually paid for: personal item only on a base fare, or a 55 x 40 x 20 cm / 10 kg bag with Priority. See our carry-on buying guide if you're shopping for a bag that fits Ryanair's Priority allowance without going over.
Sources
- My Baggage — Ryanair 2026 Baggage Allowance Guide
- Ryanair's own published cabin and checked-baggage terms — sizes, tiers and fees change, so confirm on ryanair.com before flying.
LuggageSearch is reader-supported. This page may contain affiliate links — see our disclosure. Airline policies change: always confirm on the airline's own site before flying.
