Ryanair Cabin Bag Size Guide 2026
Emnan ButtUnderstand Ryanair’s small personal bag, Priority cabin bag and checked luggage allowances before choosing and packing your suitcase.
Updated July 2026Ryanair’s baggage rules can appear complicated because the allowance depends on the fare and baggage options added to the booking. Every passenger may bring one small personal bag, but a larger cabin suitcase is not automatically included with every ticket.
Choosing the wrong bag or measuring it incorrectly can result in inconvenience and additional charges at the airport. This guide explains the principal allowances, how to measure your luggage and what to check before buying a new travel bag.
Do not choose a bag simply because it is advertised as cabin-sized. Compare its complete external dimensions with the allowance shown on your booking.
Ryanair Cabin Bag Rules: Quick Answer
Ryanair currently includes one small personal bag with every fare. Passengers who purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags may also bring a larger 10 kg cabin bag for the overhead locker.
Must fit beneath the seat in front of you.
Maximum weight of 10 kg and stored in the overhead locker.
The Included Small Personal Bag
Available with every fareEvery Ryanair fare includes one small personal bag measuring no more than 40 × 30 × 20 cm. It must fit beneath the seat directly in front of the passenger.
This could be a compact backpack, handbag, laptop bag or small under-seat travel bag. The description of the bag is less important than its actual dimensions when packed.
Maximum dimensions
40 cm high, 30 cm wide and 20 cm deep.
Storage position
The bag must fit beneath the seat in front of you.
Packing tip: avoid completely filling a soft bag. Bulging pockets can increase its depth beyond the permitted measurement.
Priority & 2 Cabin Bags
For an additional overhead cabin bagPriority & 2 Cabin Bags permits the included small personal bag plus one larger cabin bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and weighing no more than 10 kg.
The larger bag is intended for the overhead locker. Priority also allows passengers to use the Priority Boarding queue, although operational circumstances may occasionally require a cabin bag to be placed in the hold.
Maximum dimensions
55 cm high, 40 cm wide and 20 cm deep.
Maximum weight
The larger overhead cabin bag may weigh up to 10 kg.
Important: Priority availability can be limited. Check the baggage options shown during your booking rather than assuming that a large cabin bag is included.
Ryanair Baggage Allowance Comparison
The table below provides a simple overview of the principal baggage options. Always confirm the exact allowance attached to your own reservation.
| Bag option | Maximum dimensions | Maximum weight | Where it travels | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small personal bag | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | Check current booking terms | Under the seat | Short trips and essentials |
| Priority cabin bag | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg | Overhead locker | Cabin-only travel |
| 10 kg checked bag | Check booking details | 10 kg | Aircraft hold | Travellers not requiring an overhead bag |
| 20 kg checked bag | Up to 80 × 120 × 120 cm | 20 kg | Aircraft hold | Longer holidays |
| 23 kg checked bag | Check booking details | 23 kg | Aircraft hold | Long trips and additional capacity |
Ryanair Checked Luggage
For belongings travelling in the holdRyanair offers checked-baggage options including 10 kg, 20 kg and 23 kg bags. Availability and pricing can depend on the route, booking and time of purchase.
Checked baggage must be taken to the Bag Drop desk before security. Important documents, medication, money, keys and valuable electronic devices should remain with you where permitted.
10 kg checked bag
Useful for travellers who need more than an under-seat bag but do not need to carry their suitcase into the cabin.
20 kg or 23 kg bag
Better suited to longer holidays, heavier clothing or travellers requiring more packing capacity.
How to Measure a Ryanair Cabin Bag
Measure your luggage after it has been packed. The dimensions must include every part of the bag, not only the main body.
Measure the Height
Measure from the floor to the highest fixed point, including wheels and any non-retractable handle sections.
Measure the Width
Measure across the widest section, including side handles, protective feet or projecting fittings.
Measure the Depth
Include front pockets, zip sections and any expansion created by the contents inside the bag.
Do Wheels and Handles Count?
External measurements include the complete bagYes. When comparing a suitcase with an airline allowance, use the complete external measurements. Wheels, fixed handles, side grips, feet and other projecting components contribute to the overall size.
Product measurements should therefore be checked carefully. A shell that is 55 cm high before the wheels are included may exceed a 55 cm complete external allowance.
Buying tip: look for measurements described as complete or external dimensions rather than dimensions of the suitcase body alone.
What Happens If the Bag Is Too Large?
Oversized cabin luggage may be moved to the holdRyanair may ask passengers to place their cabin baggage into a sizing frame at the airport. A small personal bag or 10 kg cabin bag that does not fit may be refused at the gate or placed into the aircraft hold for an applicable charge.
Airport baggage charges can be more expensive than adding the correct allowance before travelling. Measuring the bag at home can therefore prevent both expense and disruption.
Before departure
Verify the dimensions, weigh the bag and check the baggage allowance displayed in the Ryanair booking.
At the gate
Be prepared to place the bag into the airline’s baggage sizing frame if requested.
Common Ryanair Cabin Bag Mistakes
Avoid these frequent packing and measuring errors before travelling.
- Ignoring wheels and handles: the entire suitcase must remain within the applicable dimensions.
- Measuring an empty soft bag: the depth can increase substantially once external pockets are filled.
- Using the expansion zip: an expanded suitcase may no longer meet the permitted depth.
- Assuming every fare includes a cabin suitcase: the basic allowance is the small under-seat personal bag.
- Confusing a 10 kg checked bag with a 10 kg cabin bag: one travels in the hold, while the Priority cabin bag is intended for the overhead locker.
- Packing exactly to the weight limit: leave a small margin for differences between weighing scales.
- Relying only on the product name: terms such as cabin case or carry-on are not universal airline standards.
How to Pack Within the Allowance
Use space without creating an oversized bagPlan complete outfits and pack versatile clothing rather than individual items that cannot be combined. Rolling suitable garments and using compact packing organisers can make the internal space easier to manage.
Remember that compression reduces volume but not weight. Weigh the final bag and check its depth after all pockets have been filled.
Under-seat bag
Prioritise documents, medication, chargers, valuables and a small number of versatile personal items.
10 kg cabin case
Place heavier items near the wheels and keep important belongings accessible in case the bag must be moved to the hold.
Travelling with a Baby or Child
Additional rules may applyRyanair states that an infant travelling on an adult’s lap does not receive a separate cabin-bag allowance. However, the accompanying adult may bring a baby bag weighing up to 5 kg, with maximum dimensions of 45 × 35 × 20 cm.
Ryanair also permits two items of baby equipment free of charge per child. Families should check the latest requirements and labelling procedure before arriving at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a backpack on Ryanair?
Yes. A backpack may be used as the included personal bag provided its packed dimensions do not exceed 40 × 30 × 20 cm and it fits beneath the seat in front of you.
Can I take a handbag and a cabin suitcase?
The included allowance is one small personal bag. To bring that small bag plus a 10 kg overhead cabin bag, you generally need an option such as Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.
Is a 55 × 40 × 20 cm suitcase free on Ryanair?
It is not included with every fare. The 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg cabin bag is associated with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags and certain fare bundles.
Do Ryanair bag measurements include wheels?
Use the complete external dimensions of the bag. This includes wheels, fixed handles, feet, external pockets and projecting components.
Does Ryanair weigh cabin bags?
The larger Priority cabin bag has a 10 kg maximum. Bags may be checked at the airport, so weighing the packed case at home is advisable.
Can I use an expandable cabin suitcase?
An expandable case can be used only when its final packed external dimensions remain within the applicable allowance. Opening the expansion zip can make the suitcase too deep.
What happens if my Ryanair cabin bag is too big?
A bag that does not fit the baggage sizer may be refused at the gate or placed in the hold for an applicable airport fee.
Can two passengers combine checked-baggage weight?
Ryanair permits baggage pooling between passengers with checked bags on the same reservation. However, an individual bag must not exceed the airline’s maximum permitted weight.
Important baggage information
Airline rules, fares, available baggage products and fees can change. Always verify the allowance displayed in your current Ryanair booking and consult Ryanair’s official guidance before travelling. Ryanair is a trademark of its respective owner. Easy Luggage is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ryanair.