Ryanair’s cabin baggage allowance

Currently, you can only bring one small bag (40×20×25 cm) on board by default. This will likely be a handbag or backpack and must fit under the seat in front of you. If it doesn’t, or if you bring a second bag to the gate, you will be charged a fee of €/£20-£36.

Another option, starting from €/£11.99 (and going up to €/£29.99) if you purchase this at the time of booking, is to bring a second bag (max 10 kg), which you will drop off at the check-in desk. Be aware, though, that if you add this option after you’ve completed your booking or at the boarding gate, you can pay anything between €/£23.99-35.99.

What’s Ryanair’s hold luggage policy?

Sometimes, travelling with more than just a carry-on cannot be avoided. Ryanair hand luggage policy may allow only 10 kg max on board, but you get a check-in bag allowance up to 20 kg if you upgrade to Plus. A Plus ticket also allows you to reserve your seat and check in at the airport.

If you’re travelling with family, perhaps you should consider the Family Plus option. This will allow you 2 × 20 kg bags per booking, plus a 10 kg bag per person (and your free under-seat bag). Kids also travel for free with this type of ticket and you can also bring up to two types of infant equipment on board for no extra charge.

Worried that your plans might change? Booking a Flexi Plus ticket allows you to cancel or change your booking, while also giving you access to priority booking and two cabin bags.

Can I bring extra items on board when flying with Ryanair?

Medical equipment, such as dialysis machines, are allowed on board. Sports equipment, bicycles and large sports items are also permitted (with a max. weight of 20 kg), but you should expect to pay a fee. Some example fees for specialised luggage on Ryanair include:

• Golf clubs €/£30 (€/£40 at the airport)
• Sports equipment €/£35 (€/£40 at the airport)
• Ski equipment €/£45 (€/£50 at the airport)
• Musical instrument €/£50 (€/£65 at the airport)
• Large sports item €/£55 (€/£65 at the airport)
• Bike €/£60 (€/£75 at the airport)

How to maximise your Ryanair cabin baggage allowance

Want to make the most of your cabin baggage allowance the next time you fly with Ryanair? Here are a few tips to help you out.

1. Make the most out of your handbag

Ryanair is unusual among low-cost airlines in allowing a small cabin bag as well as your standard carry on luggage, although only the former is currently offered for free.

Take advantage of the Ryanair hand luggage policy and make sure your under-seat bag carries all your necessities like your passport, money, and electronic devices. So long as you’re within the Ryanair cabin bag size limits (40×20×25 cm), there’s no charge for this.

2. Get to the airport early

If you opted to add Priority & 2 Cabin Bags to your booking, or have a Plus ticket, you don’t have to worry about arriving at the airport super early. In all other cases though, arriving at the airport early is a good idea (90 minutes to two hours before departure time is recommended for domestic and short-haul flights), especially if you haven’t booked an allocated seat.

All of those Priority Boarding passengers will get their pick of overhead locker space. The closer you are to the front of the queue, the better your chances are of getting your bag on board.

3. Pool your (checked) baggage

Travelling with a partner or friend? Share the cost by sharing a hold bag. Adding a 20 kg check-in bag to your Ryanair flight will cost you between €/£18.99 and €/£59.99, depending on the specific route and travel date you choose. If you don’t pay until you get to the airport, it will be between €/£44.99 and €/£59.99. These prices are all per flight, not per holiday.

If you exceed the weight limit and need additional baggage, the excess baggage fee is €/£9-11 for each extra kilogram. You pay this fee when you purchase excess baggage online during check-in.

Higher bag fees may apply in certain situations, such as when checked bags are purchased through a Ryanair call centre, at airport ticket desks, during peak periods or on specific routes.

4. Go travel-size

Travel-size no longer just means a tiny shampoo and a squirt of sun cream. There’s an amazing array of miniature items you can take on holiday these days, from mini hair straighteners that take up half the room of full-size pairs to micro-fibre travel towels that fold away to the size of a tissue.

Don’t forget the airport liquids rule when you’re buying travel toiletries. All travel liquid containers must be 100 ml or less if carrying them in your hand luggage. Sometimes it is cheaper to leave these at home and buy them at your destination.

If you can’t get a smaller size, think about whether you really need that bulky jacket or those extra heels. And if you do, maybe those should be what you wear on the plane).

Learning to pack sensibly for weekend breaks is a valuable skill, so check out our guide on packing light to avoid those last-minute baggage fees once and for all.

5. Pick and choose Ryanair extras

Ryanair is the pick-and-mix option in aviation, so you can always purchase what’s important to you. The basic fare is the no-frills option, but you can make your journey a lot more comfortable and still get a great deal.

For instance, paying for extra legroom may be a good idea. Extra legroom seats range from €/£11-33 (both online and at the airport).

If you don’t have a huge cabin bag but just want to ensure it makes it on board, select Priority Boarding. This cost from €/£6-36 (€/£20-38 at the airport).

Find all of Ryanair’s fees in one table and buy them at the time of booking to save the most.

6. Shop around other budget airlines

Ryanair is not the only option for cheap flights, so it’s worth shopping around other major European airlines. EasyJet has similar size limitations on cabin baggage to Ryanair, but there’s no weight restriction.

Remember, you can always find great deals on airlines on Skyscanner, using our smart tools to filter out your preferred results.

Until da next Tyme

Sourced from Skyscanner