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.
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.
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.