Ryanair carry-on size, Priority and checked baggage rules

Ryanair carry-on size is 40 x 30 x 20 cm for the free personal bag. A larger cabin bag requires Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or a fare that includes it. That second bag can measure 55 x 40 x 20 cm and weigh up to 10 kg.

The important word is cabin. A 10kg Check-in Bag is a different purchase, handed over before security and collected at baggage reclaim. Paying for that product doesn’t let you take a roller through to the overhead locker.

Ryanair carry-on size: the three bag categories

These are different entitlements, even when the same suitcase could physically serve either purpose. The current baggage policy separates the cabin and checked products. The free bag’s published allowance has no separate weight figure; it still must fit under the seat.

All centimeter limits above are the airline’s figures. Inch and pound equivalents are rounded conversions for orientation, rather than a larger alternative allowance. Use centimeters and kilograms when your bag is close.

The free bag is bigger than the old 40 x 20 x 25 cm limit

Ryanair completed its larger sizer rollout on September 4, 2025. The current free allowance is 40 x 30 x 20 cm. References to the former 40 x 20 x 25 cm allowance describe the older policy.

You may also see 40 x 20 x 30 cm in the fare descriptions. That lists the same three dimensions in a different order. It doesn’t create a second bag allowance.

A backpack, small duffel, laptop bag or compact wheeled bag can serve as the personal item if it fits. Its name doesn’t determine the category. A large travel backpack remains too large even when it has no wheels.

For shopping, compare the fully packed outer measurements with our underseat bag buying criteria. Capacity in liters is not a substitute for three measurements. A bag can have a modest capacity and still be too tall.

Which fare includes the larger cabin bag?

Read the baggage line before treating a more expensive fare as an overhead bag purchase. Plus and Regular include different bag products. Neither name means you can bring every type of suitcase.

Family Plus is offered for bookings of up to six passengers with at least one child or teen. Its family suitcase travels in the hold. The individual 10 kg bags in that bundle are also checked, rather than overhead bags.

Compare Ryanair’s fare bundle descriptions with the actual selections in your booking. Availability and bundle restrictions matter. For example, Family Plus isn’t available on Spanish subsidized routes.

Choose the handling path before comparing prices

Two bags weighing 10 kg can follow completely different airport journeys. Pick the journey you need, then price the product that provides it. The cheapest label is little help if it leaves your suitcase in the wrong place.

Choose Priority if you need the larger bag in the cabin and can meet its size and security restrictions. This avoids handing that bag over at the desk and waiting at baggage reclaim. Operational needs can still require a cabin bag to travel in the hold.

Choose a checked product if you want to hand over the larger bag before security. That changes when you reach the airport desk and what you keep accessible. It also means collecting the bag after landing.

If Priority sells out, a 10 kg checked product may still be available. It solves a baggage capacity problem, but doesn’t recreate the cabin entitlement. Don’t buy it expecting staff to let the suitcase stay with you.

Current bag fees: compare the quote for each flight

The following ranges appeared in the GB official fees table on October 17, 2026. They apply per bag or Priority purchase, per flight. The price varies with route, travel date and purchase stage.

EUR and GBP are separately published currencies, not exchange conversions. Other markets can display local currency. VAT can apply on listed domestic routes, so use the final total for your actual flight.

Choose the 23 kg option during initial booking if you need it. The terms restrict its purchase to that stage. Although the fees page also lists a later/airport price, that doesn’t establish later availability for your reservation.

The later/airport column covers several purchasing situations. It isn’t one guaranteed airport desk price. Price the outbound and return separately before deciding that one bundle or bag option saves money.

A simple comparison that catches the wrong purchase

Hypothetical example: Your packed suitcase measures 54 x 39 x 19 cm and weighs 9 kg. You already have a compliant small personal bag. Either a cabin entitlement or a suitable checked purchase could accommodate the weight.

If you want the suitcase overhead, compare Basic plus Priority with Regular for each direction. Include the value of a reserved seat only if you actually want one. Don’t substitute a cheaper 10 kg checked quote into that comparison.

If you prefer checking it, confirm the dimensions shown for that checked product before buying. Keep essentials in the free personal bag. The same suitcase now needs a bag drop visit and a baggage belt wait.

Checked bags: 10 kg, 20 kg, 23 kg and pooling

The policy offers 10 kg checked bags, up to three 20 kg checked bags, and one 23 kg checked option. Those are purchase limits, not free allowance. Your fare or booking must show the bags you intend to use.

Don’t automatically assign the 55 x 40 x 20 cm cabin limit to a 10 kg checked purchase. Confirm its stated dimensions in your own booking. This avoids relying on an old screenshot or a different product’s diagram.

For bulky cases, the published checked dimensions need particular care. Help pages give 80 x 120 x 120 cm for the 20 kg and 23 kg products. The general regulations separately prohibit pieces exceeding 81 x 119 x 119 cm.

A case within 80 x 119 x 119 cm falls inside both sets of figures. That’s a conservative planning comparison, not a replacement airline allowance. Get confirmation before paying for an unusually large case near either published boundary.

Checked weight can be pooled between passengers on the same reservation. Check the bags in together. No individual piece may exceed 32 kg, approximately 70.5 lb.

For example, two purchased 20 kg bags provide 40 kg total. A hypothetical 17 kg bag and 23 kg bag use that total without exceeding the individual safety cap. This follows the checked baggage pooling rule.

Pooling doesn’t turn cabin weight into checked weight. It also doesn’t grant an extra physical bag beyond the purchased pieces. Keep your comparison within the same flight reservation.

Excess checked weight costs EUR 13 or GBP 13 per extra kilogram at the airport, call center or kiosk. That is the published October 17, 2026 rate, with local currency equivalents where applicable. Paying excess weight doesn’t permit a piece above 32 kg.

Measure Ryanair carry-on size with the bag packed

1. Close every compartment. Include the clothes and toiletries you will actually carry.
2. Measure the outermost points. Include wheels, handles and a bulging front pocket in the fit check.
3. Check each dimension. Spare width doesn’t cancel excessive depth.
4. Weigh the complete larger cabin bag. Its empty case weight uses part of the 10 kg allowance.
5. Repeat after adding last minute items. A water bottle or extra sweater can change the packed shape.

A hypothetical case measuring 55 x 40 x 23 cm fails the 20 cm cabin depth limit. Its other dimensions can be perfect and it still won’t meet the allowance. An expansion zipper is particularly easy to overlook.

Small bags have the same problem when stuffed. A soft backpack’s empty specification doesn’t promise its full pockets will fit the sizer. Leave enough space to close it without stretching the fabric tight.

For a new roller, our carry-on luggage guide explains the difference between case dimensions and overall dimensions. If another European carrier is on your itinerary, compare that flight separately. Our easyJet baggage guide can help with that second check.

Check the operating carrier shown on each reservation, especially when buying a combined trip through a travel seller. A larger allowance on your flight into Europe doesn’t automatically carry over to Ryanair. Save both baggage confirmations if the journey uses separate tickets.

What happens if the bag fails at the gate?

An oversized or unauthorized cabin bag can be refused. Where hold placement is available, Ryanair can charge for it and direct you to leave the bag at the aircraft. Paying isn’t a guarantee of acceptance.

The October 17 fee table distinguishes two common situations. A nonpriority passenger bringing a 10 kg checked bag to the gate faces EUR 46 to 75 or GBP 46 to 75. A bag over 55 x 40 x 20 cm attracts a published EUR 70 to 75 or GBP 70 to 75 hold fee, where accepted.

These are specific gate scenarios, rather than a single universal penalty for every unsuitable bag. Domestic VAT can apply. If uncertain, ask at bag drop before security, while correcting the purchase is still practical.

If your roller is taken for the hold, remove spare lithium batteries and power banks. Keep essential medication, documents and valuables accessible. The smaller bag should be ready to become your only cabin bag.

Babies, medical equipment and duty-free bags

A lap infant aged eight days through 23 months doesn’t receive a standard cabin bag allowance. The accompanying adult may carry an additional baby bag up to 5 kg, measuring 45 x 35 x 20 cm. This is separate from that adult’s own allowed cabin baggage.

Two items of baby equipment travel free per child. The regulations describe a collapsible pushchair, travel system or baby sling plus a car seat, booster seat or travel cot. Arrange and tag the equipment through the airport process rather than treating it as ordinary extra cabin luggage.

Medical equipment can travel in addition to the small bag with prior approval. Contact Special Assistance for the relevant cabin or checked baggage waiver letter. Passengers with reduced mobility can also take two mobility equipment items free under the applicable conditions.

A genuine duty-free shopping bag containing duty-free purchases is permitted alongside cabin bags. That exception doesn’t make an unrelated tote a second free personal item. Put your ordinary handbag inside your allowed bag if you otherwise exceed the piece count.

Power banks and liquids belong in the right bag

Ryanair permits up to two power banks per passenger, each no more than 100 Wh. These count within its overall limit of 20 spare lithium batteries. Protect batteries individually against short circuits.

Keep power banks and spare batteries on your person or in the bag under the seat. They cannot go in checked baggage or an overhead locker. Don’t leave them inside the Priority roller when putting it overhead.

Power banks must not be recharged onboard. Using one to charge a personal device is prohibited during taxi, takeoff and landing, or when the crew instructs. The airline’s permitted items policy covers smart bags and other device restrictions too.

Our power bank packing guide explains capacity labels and terminal protection. A general allowance on another airline doesn’t override Ryanair’s 100 Wh ceiling.

A cabin bag must also pass security at the departure airport. Check that airport’s liquids instructions, especially on a return trip through a different terminal. The liquids guide explains the distinction between security screening and airline baggage entitlement.

Before departure: the bag drop deadline changes in November

For flights before November 10, 2026, the stated airport check-in and bag drop cutoff is 40 minutes before scheduled departure. From November 10, 2026, both close 60 minutes before departure. Follow any earlier time specifically communicated for your flight.

The dated deadline announcement matters if you’re traveling after that change. The cutoff is the last acceptance time, not a sensible airport arrival target. Leave room for queues, document checks and security.

• Check the bag products for each passenger and each direction.
• Confirm packed measurements, weight and any special approval letters.
• Save your purchased allowance and final itinerary.
• Keep power banks under the seat or on your person.
• Use the deadline that applies on your actual flight date.

Ryanair baggage questions

Does Ryanair allow a backpack and a handbag for free?

Basic includes one small personal bag, not a backpack plus a separate ordinary handbag. Put the handbag inside the backpack if the packed combination stays within 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Specific baby, approved medical and genuine duty-free exceptions have their own conditions.

Is the Ryanair carry-on size 40 x 20 x 25 cm or 40 x 30 x 20 cm?

The current free personal bag limit is 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Ryanair completed its larger sizer rollout on September 4, 2025. The 40 x 20 x 25 cm figure describes the older allowance.

Does a 10 kg checked bag include Priority?

No. A 10 kg checked bag travels in the hold after bag drop before security. Priority & 2 Cabin Bags is the separate product for the larger overhead bag.

Can I pool two people’s checked baggage weight?

Yes, passengers on the same reservation can share purchased checked weight when checking bags in together. Stay within the purchased total and piece count. No individual bag may weigh more than 32 kg.

Can I bring a 100 Wh power bank in the overhead bag?

No. Ryanair requires power banks on your person or in the bag under the seat. Each must be no more than 100 Wh, with a maximum of two per passenger.