Ryanair Baggage Fees (2026)
Quick summary
Ryanair is Europe's strictest ultra-low-cost carrier when it comes to bags. The cheapest fare includes only one small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) that must fit under the seat in front of you — everything bigger is paid. A larger 10kg cabin bag requires the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags add-on, and checked bags are bought separately. Gate sizers are used aggressively and gate fees are notoriously steep (£/€46–75), so always pre-pay online and pack to the exact dimensions. All fees are charged in GBP or EUR depending on departure country.
The bottom line on Ryanair baggage
Ryanair is a bait-priced ultra-low-cost carrier: the headline fare buys you only one small 40 x 30 x 20 cm under-seat bag, and everything larger is a separate charge. The classic trap is bringing a 10kg cabin bag to the gate without Priority, because staff use the sizer aggressively and charge a steep £/€46 to 75.
The surest way to stay cheap is to pack to the exact under-seat dimensions and fly with that bag alone. If you need more, add Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or a checked bag at the moment of booking, when extras are cheapest; a hold bag often costs less than the gate fee, and checking in online avoids the airport reissue charge.
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Our own 1–5 rating of Ryanair's baggage policy, scored from the verified data on this page. See airline rankings → · How we score →
Hidden pitfalls most travelers miss
- Bringing the 10kg cabin bag to the gate without the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags add-on triggers a steep £/€46–60 gate fee, and an oversize bag £/€70–75 — staff use the sizer aggressively.
- Every extra is cheapest at the exact moment of booking and gets pricier on the app, the website, and especially at the airport.
- Not checking in online before you reach the airport can trigger a £/€30–55 boarding-card reissue charge.
Ryanairbaggage allowance & fees at a glance
| 🎒 Personal item | Free on every fare: one small bag up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm that fits under the seat in front of you. This is the ONLY free bag on the basic fare. Bags are checked against a sizer at the gate — oversize items are refused or sent to the hold for a fee. |
| 🧳 Carry-on allowance | A larger 10kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) is NOT free — you must add the 'Priority & 2 Cabin Bags' option, which lets you bring the small under-seat bag plus the 10kg overhead bag and board early. Price typically ranges from about £/€6 to £/€60 depending on route and demand, and is cheaper when added at the time of booking. |
| 🧳 First checked bag | £/€6 – £/€60 (varies by route/demand) |
| 🧳 Second checked bag | £/€20 – £/€40 (route/season dependent) |
Ryanair checked bag fees
| Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (10kg cabin bag + early boarding) | £/€6 – £/€60 (varies by route/demand) |
| Checked bag 10kg | £/€20 – £/€40 (route/season dependent) |
| Checked bag 20kg | £/€30 – £/€60 (route/season dependent) |
| Max checked weight per bag | 32 kg |
Excess baggage cost calculator
Estimate what Ryanair will actually charge for your bags — one way, typical domestic/regional route.
- Checked bag #1$49
You'd save $22 by flying Wizz Air for this baggage.
Estimates only. Fees vary by route, fare type, and date — always confirm before booking.
Ryanair vs Wizz Air vs easyJet: baggage compared
Head-to-head on the fees that actually decide the cheaper airline for bags.
Flying Ryanair abroad?
Ryanair is a ultra-low-cost carrier based in Europe — if this is an international trip, a travel eSIM means you land with data already working, with no roaming bill.
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🔁 Change & cancellation
Ryanair fares are generally non-refundable. Flight changes incur a per-passenger, per-flight change fee (roughly £/€45–60 online, higher at the airport) plus any fare difference. There is a 24-hour grace period to correct minor booking errors. Government taxes can be refunded if you do not travel.
Ryanair flight delayed or cancelled?
Compensation rules follow the route, not the airline — a Europe-departing Ryanair flight delayed 3+ hours can be worth up to €600. Checking costs nothing.
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Other common fees
| Gate bag fee — non-priority 10kg bag brought to gate | £/€46 – £/€60 |
| Gate bag fee — oversize bag (over 55 x 40 x 20 cm) | £/€70 – £/€75 |
| Reserved seat (standard) | from about £/€4.50 |
| Airport check-in / boarding card reissue | £/€30 – £/€55 |
What stops you paying these fees on Ryanair
- A full-size cabin bag is not free on the cheapest Ryanair fare, so the bag that fits under the seat matters — what size actually fits →
How to avoid extra fees
- On the basic fare you only get the small 40 x 30 x 20 cm under-seat bag — measure yours, because gate staff use a sizer and overflow bags cost £/€46–75.
- If you need more than the small bag, add 'Priority & 2 Cabin Bags' at booking; buying it at the gate is far more expensive.
- A checked hold bag is often cheaper than the gate fee — never gamble on bringing an oversize cabin bag to the gate.
- All extras are cheapest at the moment of booking and get pricier on the app, website, and especially at the airport.
- Check in online and download your boarding pass before reaching the airport to avoid the airport check-in fee.
Ryanair baggage — FAQ
＋ − What can I bring for free on Ryanair?
Only one small personal bag up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm that fits under the seat in front of you. A larger 10kg cabin bag and any hold luggage cost extra.
＋ − How much is Ryanair's gate bag fee?
Roughly £/€46–60 if a non-priority passenger brings the 10kg cabin bag to the gate, and £/€70–75 for a bag that exceeds the cabin size limit. Pre-booking baggage is always cheaper.
＋ − Is the 10kg cabin bag included in my ticket?
No. The 10kg overhead cabin bag is only included if you buy the 'Priority & 2 Cabin Bags' add-on or a fare that bundles it.
Sources & official policy links
Independent guide — not affiliated with Ryanair. Figures here reflect Ryanair's published Europe fares as of 2026-06-28.