✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
TUI Airways splits its baggage rules by how you book, not just by fare class. The big divide is package holiday versus flight-only: most packages bundle a generous hold allowance, while a flight-only booking gives you hand luggage only and treats every checked bag as a paid add-on.
Every TUI passenger gets the same generous cabin allowance for free — one piece up to 10 kg at 55 x 40 x 20 cm plus a small under-seat personal item. The cost question is entirely about the hold: whether your fare includes a checked bag and, if not, what TUI charges to add one. Hold-bag fees vary by route (short-haul vs long-haul/select destinations), so the same 15 kg bag can cost noticeably more on a flight to Cape Verde or the Caribbean than to Spain.
Quick facts
| Personal item (under seat) | 40 x 30 x 20 cm — free for all |
| Cabin bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg — free for all |
| Checked bag (package holiday) | 20 kg included (25 kg on premium packages) |
| Checked bag (flight-only) | Not included — add 15 / 20 / 25 kg as paid extra |
| Hold-bag fee — short-haul | ~£60 / €70 per 15 kg bag |
| Hold-bag fee — long-haul & Cape Verde/Egypt/Gambia/Senegal | ~£80 / €90 per 15 kg bag |
| Max single bag weight | 25 kg (no bag over 25 kg accepted) |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 40 x 30 x 20 cm. One small personal item (handbag, laptop bag or small backpack) that fits under the seat in front. Included free for every passenger, in addition to the cabin bag. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm · 10 kg Free — included for all TUI passengers |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Package holidays include 20 kg (25 kg on TUI BLUE, Sensatori, Holiday Village, A La Carte, River Cruise and Wedding packages). Flight-only bookings include no hold bag — add 15, 20 or 25 kg. |
| Weight limit | 15 / 20 / 25 kg options; no single bag over 25 kg accepted |
| Typical fee | Flight-only add-ons from ~£40 for 15 kg when booked early; excess/added bags ~£60/€70 (short-haul) or ~£80/€90 (long-haul, Cape Verde, Egypt, Gambia, Senegal) per 15 kg bag. Varies by route and how far ahead you book. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight-Only | 40x30x20cm under-seat | 10 kg, 55x40x20cm | None included — buy 15/20/25 kg |
| Package Holiday (standard) | 40x30x20cm under-seat | 10 kg, 55x40x20cm | 20 kg included |
| Premium Package (TUI BLUE / Sensatori / Holiday Village / A La Carte / River Cruise / Wedding) | 40x30x20cm under-seat | 10 kg, 55x40x20cm | 25 kg included |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on TUI’s cheapest fare (flight-only): the deal-price flight-only ticket is genuinely generous in the cabin — you keep a full 10 kg cabin bag (55x40x20cm) and a small under-seat personal item for free, where rivals like Ryanair or easyJet would charge for the larger bag.
The catch is the hold. A flight-only fare includes zero checked baggage — every hold bag is a paid add-on. Budget for roughly £40+ for 15 kg if you add it at booking, rising to ~£60/€70 (short-haul) or ~£80/€90 (long-haul, Cape Verde, Egypt, Gambia, Senegal) for added bags. If you’re booking a package, a 20–25 kg hold bag is already baked in, so don’t pay twice.
aifly tip: for short trips, TUI’s free 10 kg cabin allowance often means you can skip the hold-bag fee entirely — making the headline flight-only price the real price.
Oversize, sports & special items
Hold-bag fees vary by route. TUI groups destinations into roughly two tiers: standard short-haul (most of Europe) at about £60/€70 per 15 kg added bag, and a higher tier — long-haul plus Cape Verde, Egypt, Gambia and Senegal — at about £80/€90 per 15 kg. Always add and pay for bags at the time of booking; airport and late add-ons cost more.
Sports and oversized equipment (golf clubs, bikes, surf/windsurf gear, skis, diving kit) must be pre-arranged and are not guaranteed — space is limited and capped per flight. Fees apply on top of normal hold allowance and vary by item and route.
Package vs flight-only is the decision that matters. Because packages bundle 20–25 kg of hold baggage, a package can work out cheaper overall than a flight-only fare plus separately purchased bags — run both numbers before booking if you need to check luggage.
Frequently asked questions
What is TUI's hand luggage size and weight limit?
Every TUI passenger gets one cabin bag up to 10 kg with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20 cm, plus one small personal item up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm that fits under the seat. Both are free.
Does TUI include a checked bag for free?
It depends on how you book. Package holidays include 20 kg of hold baggage (25 kg on premium TUI packages). Flight-only bookings include hand luggage only — a checked bag is a paid add-on you select at 15, 20 or 25 kg.
How much does it cost to add a checked bag to a TUI flight?
Adding a hold bag early on a flight-only booking can start from around £40 for 15 kg. Added or excess bags typically run about £60/€70 per 15 kg on short-haul routes and about £80/€90 per 15 kg on long-haul flights and to Cape Verde, Egypt, Gambia and Senegal. Prices vary by route and timing, so add bags at booking rather than at the airport.
What is the maximum weight for a single TUI checked bag?
No single bag over 25 kg is accepted. If you need more, you must book additional bags rather than overloading one — heavy single bags will be refused at check-in.
Can I bring sports or diving equipment on TUI?
Yes, but it must be pre-booked (TUI asks you to arrange sports gear such as golf clubs, surfboards, windsurf and ski equipment by phone). Space is limited and not guaranteed, and extra fees apply — ski/snowboard sets, for example, start from around £60 per set. Book early as capacity is capped.
Is TUI cabin baggage really free even on the cheapest fare?
Yes. Unlike many low-cost carriers, TUI includes both a 10 kg cabin bag (55x40x20cm) and a small under-seat personal item free on every booking, including the cheapest flight-only fare. Only hold luggage is charged on flight-only tickets.
Does my TUI package holiday allowance differ from flight-only?
Yes. Package holidays bundle 20 kg of checked baggage (25 kg on premium ranges like TUI BLUE and Sensatori), while flight-only bookings start with no hold allowance at all. Always check your specific booking, as the included weight is tied to the product you bought.