✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Every Ryanair fare — including the cheapest Basic ticket — includes one free small personal bag measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm that must fit under the seat in front of you. As of 4 September 2025 this is the current size: Ryanair enlarged its free under-seat bag by roughly a third (it was previously 40 x 30 x 15 cm under the older EU baseline), and it now exceeds the EU-mandated minimum of 40 x 30 x 15 cm. If you have read an older guide quoting “40 x 20 x 25 cm”, that figure is out of date.
Everything beyond that free under-seat bag — the larger 10 kg overhead cabin bag, and any checked hold luggage — is a paid add-on, either bundled into a higher fare or purchased separately. Fees vary significantly by route, date and how you buy them, so the numbers below are ranges, not fixed prices. Airport bag drop and gate fees are always far higher than buying online during booking.
Quick facts
| Free personal item | 40 x 30 x 20 cm, under seat, all fares |
| Cabin bag (10 kg) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm, paid add-on / Priority |
| Priority & 2 Cabin Bags | approx. £/€6–20 (varies) |
| Checked 10 kg | from approx. £/€25 online |
| Checked 20 kg | from approx. £/€30 online, up to ~£/€75 airport |
| Max checked bags | 3 per passenger |
| Excess weight | £/€11 per kg (32 kg hard cap) |
| Max checked dimensions | approx. 81 x 119 x 119 cm |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Free on every fare including Basic. Must fit under the seat in front. Sizers at the gate are exact with no grace margin — oversize bags are charged a gate fee. Size enlarged 4 Sept 2025 (was 40 x 30 x 15 cm). |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm · 10 kg Paid add-on; included only via Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (approx. £/€6–20, varies by route/date) or fares that bundle it (Regular, Flexi Plus) |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Up to 3 checked bags per passenger, each 10 kg or 20 kg |
| Weight limit | 10 kg or 20 kg per bag (excess at £/€11/kg, 32 kg absolute max) |
| Typical fee | 10 kg from approx. £/€25 online; 20 kg from approx. £/€30 online rising to ~£/€60–75 at the airport. All fees vary by route, date and booking method, and are charged per passenger per one-way flight. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Included | Free 40x30x20 cm under-seat bag only | None |
| Regular | Included | Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (under-seat + 10 kg overhead) | None |
| Plus | Included | Free under-seat bag only (no large cabin bag, no Priority) | 1 x 20 kg hold bag |
| Flexi Plus | Included | Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (under-seat + 10 kg overhead) | None by default — add separately |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Ryanair deal fare: one free 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag that fits under the seat — and nothing else. The cheap headline price you see on a deal is the Basic fare, where both the 10 kg overhead cabin bag and any checked luggage are paid add-ons.
That under-seat bag is genuinely bigger than it sounds since the September 2025 size increase — a 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag swallows a long weekend’s worth of clothes if you pack tight. For a true carry-on trip, budget another £/€6–20 for Priority & 2 Cabin Bags to add the 10 kg overhead bag, or from £/€25 online for a 10 kg checked bag. Always add bags during the original booking: airport and post-booking prices roughly double. When comparing a Ryanair deal price against a full-service fare, add the bag cost you’ll actually need — the gap is usually smaller than it first looks.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports equipment is carried in the hold as a separate item, typically £/€35–60 one-way booked online (higher at the airport). Most items are capped at 20 kg, but bicycles can weigh up to 30 kg (around £/€60 online, ~£/€75 at the airport). A golf bag is around £/€40; large items like surfboards are around £/€55 online / £/€65 at the airport. Equipment must stay within the maximum checked-bag dimensions.
Musical instruments: small instruments such as a flute or clarinet that fit the cabin-bag rules can travel in the cabin. Anything larger must either go in the hold (around £/€50–65) or, for fragile items like guitars, travel on a paid extra seat.
Notable 2026 changes: the headline change is the free under-seat bag growing to 40 x 30 x 20 cm (from 4 Sept 2025), exceeding the new EU minimum of 40 x 30 x 15 cm agreed by the European Commission and major airlines in mid-2025. Ryanair’s gate sizers were resized to match. Otherwise the structure is unchanged: Basic stays bag-light, and all paid bag prices remain dynamic by route, date and booking channel.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ryanair's free baggage allowance in 2026?
Every fare, including Basic, includes one free small personal bag of 40 x 30 x 20 cm that must fit under the seat in front. The larger 10 kg overhead cabin bag and any checked luggage are paid extras.
What size cabin bag can I take on Ryanair for free?
The free bag is 40 x 30 x 20 cm and goes under the seat. The bigger 55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg cabin bag for the overhead locker is not free — you need Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or a fare that includes it (Regular or Flexi Plus).
How much does a checked bag cost on Ryanair?
A 10 kg checked bag starts from around £/€25 online and a 20 kg bag from around £/€30 online, rising to roughly £/€60–75 if added at the airport. Fees vary by route, travel date and booking method, and apply per passenger per one-way flight.
Did Ryanair change its bag size in 2025?
Yes. On 4 September 2025 Ryanair increased its free under-seat bag from 40 x 30 x 15 cm to 40 x 30 x 20 cm — about a third bigger — and resized its airport bag gauges to match. This remains the current size in 2026.
How many checked bags can I bring on Ryanair?
Up to three checked bags per passenger, each weighing either 10 kg or 20 kg. The absolute weight ceiling is 32 kg per bag, with excess weight charged at £/€11 per kilo.
Does the cheapest Ryanair fare include a cabin bag?
Only the free 40 x 30 x 20 cm under-seat bag. The Basic fare does not include the 10 kg overhead cabin bag or any checked luggage — both are paid add-ons. Adding Priority & 2 Cabin Bags costs around £/€6–20.
Can I take a musical instrument or sports gear on Ryanair?
Small instruments that fit cabin-bag rules can go in the cabin; larger ones go in the hold for around £/€50–65 or on a paid extra seat. Sports equipment travels in the hold for about £/€35–60 online, with bicycles allowed up to 30 kg.
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