The Ryanair cabin bag size rules are strict, and staff enforce them at the gate. I watched a woman at Stansted have her cabin bag measured, fail by about 2cm, and pay £70 on the spot to check it. This happens dozens of times per flight. The good news: once you know the exact Ryanair cabin bag size and your options, you can pack properly and never pay a surprise fee.
Ryanair’s baggage policy changed significantly in 2018 and has been tweaked since. The key thing to understand: there is no free cabin bag in the overhead bin anymore unless you pay for Priority or a seat bundle that includes it.
Ryanair Baggage Allowance Summary
Ticket Type
Personal Bag (Under Seat)
Cabin Bag (Overhead)
Checked Bag
Standard fare
40 x 20 x 25 cm
Not included
Not included
Priority & 2 Cabin Bags
40 x 20 x 25 cm
55 x 40 x 20 cm (10kg)
Not included
Plus / Flexi Plus
40 x 20 x 25 cm
55 x 40 x 20 cm (10kg)
20kg included
Family Plus
40 x 20 x 25 cm
55 x 40 x 20 cm (10kg)
20kg included
Free Personal Bag (All Tickets)
Every Ryanair ticket includes one small personal bag that must fit under the seat in front of you.
Dimensions: 40 x 20 x 25 cm
This is smaller than most airlines allow. For reference, that is roughly the size of a small backpack or large handbag. A standard laptop bag usually fits, but measure yours before you fly.
The 20cm depth is the killer for Ryanair cabin bag size compliance. Many bags that look small enough are too deep. I use a Cabin Max Manhattan bag specifically designed for Ryanair’s dimensions — it is 40 x 20 x 25 cm exactly. You can find Ryanair-compliant bags on Amazon.
What Fits in a Ryanair Personal Bag
For a weekend trip, you can manage with just the personal bag:
- 2-3 changes of clothes (rolled, not folded)
- Toiletries in a clear bag
- Phone charger and cables
- Laptop or tablet (if your bag has a padded sleeve)
- Travel documents
For anything longer than a long weekend, you will want Priority boarding or a checked bag.
Priority & 2 Cabin Bags
Priority boarding costs £6-10 depending on the route and when you book. It includes:
Personal bag: 40 x 20 x 25 cm (under seat)
Cabin bag: 55 x 40 x 20 cm, maximum 10kg (overhead locker)
This is the sweet spot for most short trips. The 10kg cabin bag is large enough for a week’s worth of clothes if you pack light.
Priority passengers also board first after passengers needing assistance and families with young children. On a full flight, this guarantees overhead bin space near your seat.
Is Priority Worth It?
Yes, if:
- You need more than a small backpack
- You want to avoid checked bag queues
- You are travelling for 4+ days
No, if:
- You can pack into the free personal bag
- You prefer to check a larger bag anyway
- The flight is nearly empty (rare, but it happens)
Checked Bag Options
Ryanair offers two checked bag sizes:
Option
Weight
Typical Price (Booking)
Typical Price (Airport)
10kg Check-in Bag
10kg
£13-20
£25-35
20kg Check-in Bag
20kg
£20-35
£40-60
Prices vary by route, time of year, and demand. Summer flights to Spain cost more than January flights to Poland.
Always add a checked bag when booking. Adding one at the airport costs roughly double, and you cannot add one online after checking in.
The 10kg option makes sense for solo travellers who want to avoid cabin bag hassle. The 20kg is better for couples sharing a bag or anyone bringing more kit.
Ryanair Cabin Bag Size Checks at the Gate
Ryanair staff measure bags at the gate using a metal cage (the “bag sizer”). If your bag exceeds the Ryanair cabin bag size limit, you pay to check it. In 2025, that gate fee is around £70. See Ryanair’s official baggage policy for current fees.
They check:
- The small personal bag on Standard tickets
- The 10kg cabin bag on Priority tickets
My experience: they do not measure every bag, but they target bags that look borderline. If yours is obviously small enough, you will walk through. If it looks stuffed to bursting or has a rigid frame, expect a check.
How to Avoid Gate Fees
- Measure your bag before you leave home. Use a tape measure, not your eyes.
- Use a soft bag. Rigid suitcases that are 41cm wide will not compress.
- Do not overstuff. A bag that measures 40 x 20 x 25 cm empty might be 42 x 22 x 27 cm when packed.
- Test it in a bag sizer at home if possible. Build one from cardboard if you want to be certain.
Excess Baggage Fees
Issue
Fee (at gate)
Cabin bag too large (Standard ticket)
£70
Cabin bag overweight (Priority)
£11 per kg
Checked bag overweight
£11 per kg
These fees are per bag, per flight. Overweight on the way out and the way back means paying twice.
Musical Instruments and Sports Equipment
Ryanair charges for large items:
- Musical instruments: Can be taken as cabin bag if within size limits, or checked for £35-50
- Golf clubs: £35-55 depending on route
- Skis/snowboards: £40-60
- Bikes: £60-75
Book these online in advance. Turning up at the airport with a golf bag and no booking will cost significantly more.
Tips for Flying Ryanair
1. Weigh and measure before you pack. Buy a luggage scale (£10-15) and use it.
2. Wear your heaviest items. Boots, coat, and heavy jumper on the plane, not in the bag.
3. Book bags at booking time. It is always cheaper than adding later.
4. Check your email before flying. Ryanair sometimes offers discounted bag upgrades a few days before departure.
5. Do not bring duty-free bags if you only have a personal bag. That extra bag can trigger a gate fee. If you must shop, buy on the return flight when you have already passed the gate check.
6. Screenshot your booking confirmation. Show it at the gate if there is any dispute about what you paid for.
Ryanair vs Other Airlines
For comparison, here is how Ryanair stacks up against other budget carriers:
Airline
Free Bag
Size
Ryanair
Personal bag only
40 x 20 x 25 cm
easyJet
Cabin bag
45 x 36 x 20 cm
Wizz Air
Personal bag only
40 x 30 x 20 cm
Jet2
Hand luggage + 10kg checked
56 x 45 x 25 cm
Jet2 is the most generous. Ryanair and Wizz Air are the strictest. easyJet sits in the middle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a handbag and a personal bag?
No. You get one bag on a Standard ticket. A handbag counts as your personal bag.
What if my bag is 1cm too big?
You will be asked to check it. The sizers are exact. There is no grace margin.
Can I pay for Priority at the gate?
Sometimes, if it has not sold out. But the price will be higher than online.
Do they weigh the personal bag?
Not usually. The 10kg limit applies to the Priority cabin bag, not the small personal bag.
Can I bring a laptop separately?
Only if it fits inside your personal bag. A laptop carried in your hand is a second bag.
