Ryanair Carry-On Baggage in 2026: Dimensions & Key Baggage Rules

When travelling with Ryanair, it is important to know exactly what you can take as hand luggage. The rules are strict and not following them can lead to unnecessary costs and stress. In this article, you will discover everything about Ryanair hand luggage in 2026, including the most important dimensions, weight, and the latest changes. This way, you will know exactly what to look out for to travel without surprises. See here for a complete overview of hand luggage dimensions per airline.

What is hand luggage with Ryanair and why are the rules important?

Hand luggage with Ryanair includes all luggage you take on board yourself, such as small suitcases, bags, and personal items. These items must meet specific size and weight limits. Ryanair is known for its strict hand luggage policy, as it aims for efficient boarding and wants to maintain space on board. If your luggage does not comply, it can lead to refusal at boarding or extra costs.

Since 2025 and especially in 2026, the rules have been tightened. This means smaller allowed dimensions and stricter enforcement at the gate. For travellers, it is therefore essential to be familiar with these changed baggage rules to avoid problems.

Current dimensions and weight of hand luggage with Ryanair

The free hand luggage allowed with Ryanair is a small personal bag with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 20 cm. This bag must easily fit under the seat in front of you, which means it must be compact and not too heavy. Although Ryanair does not officially specify a maximum weight for this bag, a maximum weight of approximately 10 kg is practically recommended for smooth travel.

In addition to this small personal bag, you may also bring some extra personal items, such as a coat, a duty-free bag, or a small umbrella. Larger hand luggage is not included in the standard ticket and is only included with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or checked baggage options.

Gate staff strictly check that hand luggage remains within the dimensions. Luggage that is too large will be refused or placed in the hold at an additional cost.

For a practical choice in hand luggage, you could consider one of the hand luggage suitcases with TSA lock and silent wheels, which fit perfectly within the dimensions and are durable.

New baggage rules Ryanair from November 2025: what has changed?

From November 2025, Ryanair has tightened its baggage rules with a focus on smaller allowed bag dimensions and stricter enforcement. While slightly larger hand luggage was sometimes accepted before, a stricter limit of 40 x 30 x 20 cm now applies to the free personal bag. This size is smaller than the average hand luggage with other airlines.

In addition, fines for carrying oversized luggage have been increased. Travellers who do not adhere to the rules now risk a surcharge of approximately €70. Also, the paper boarding pass has almost completely disappeared: ticket control is now only digital, which speeds up the baggage verification process.

Travellers are advised to measure their luggage in advance, check in digitally, and if necessary, book Priority or extra baggage to avoid additional costs.

What if your hand luggage does not comply with Ryanair rules?

If your hand luggage is too large or too heavy, responsible gate staff will immediately point this out. If that small personal bag does not have the correct dimensions or exceeds the weight, you will not be allowed on board with this bag, unless you pay for extra luggage.

The cost for this is approximately €70, and your hand luggage will then be placed in the hold. These costs can increase if this is only determined at the gate. It is always cheaper to add extra hand luggage or checked baggage to your booking in advance.

For passengers who unexpectedly bring an oversized bag, the advice is: measure in advance, remove items if necessary, or consider upgrading to Priority and extra hand luggage on the spot.

Priority and extra hand luggage options with Ryanair: when and why book?

With the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags fare, in addition to the free small personal bag, you may also bring a second, larger piece of hand luggage up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and a maximum of 10 kg. This is especially useful for travellers who want to bring more luggage without booking checked baggage.

The price for Priority varies, but booking early is cheaper. It often costs less than checked baggage and is ideal for short trips or weekend getaways.

Compared to checked baggage, Priority is smarter for flexible travellers without many heavy items. Checked baggage, on the other hand, is better if you need to carry a lot of weight or have larger suitcases.

Want to know more about compact hand luggage suitcases suitable for your Priority ticket? Take a look at our selection of hand luggage suitcases for cabin size with practical features such as TSA locks and light materials.

Checked baggage with Ryanair: dimensions, weight, and costs

Ryanair offers checked baggage options of 10, 20, and 23 kg. The maximum dimensions for checked baggage are usually around 81 x 119 x 119 cm, and each piece may weigh a maximum of 32 kg. For heavier or larger suitcases, an additional fee is always charged.

Baggage exceeding these limits will be refused or requires a special declaration. Checked baggage must be dropped off at the check-in counter; this is not allowed at the boarding gate.

Costs vary by weight class and booking time, with extra kilos or large suitcases potentially increasing significantly in price. It is therefore wise to carefully check your baggage weight and dimensions in advance and choose transport options wisely.

For durable, lightweight checked baggage with sturdy construction and practical features, check out our range of checked baggage suitcases with a lifetime warranty and shock-resistant lining.

Useful tips to avoid extra costs and pack smartly

If you want to travel without extra costs, measure your hand luggage at home with a luggage scale. Make good use of the allowed small personal bag and use the duty-free bag for extra items.

Heavy or large items of luggage are best placed in checked baggage. Also, check in online in good time and use digital boarding passes, so you do not experience delays at the gate due to paper checks.

Another tip is to include Priority and extra hand luggage directly when booking. This is often cheaper than last-minute upgrading at the airport.

Frequently asked questions about hand luggage with Ryanair

How large can hand luggage be with Ryanair?

The standard free personal bag may measure a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20 cm and must fit under the seat. Larger hand luggage is not free.

Is hand luggage free with Ryanair?

Yes, one small personal bag is free. For extra hand luggage or larger suitcases, you pay extra costs, ranging from approximately €6 to €70 or more, depending on the type of baggage and the booked fare.

Can I take liquids in hand luggage?

Liquids in hand luggage must be in containers of a maximum of 100 ml, in a transparent resealable bag (max. 1 litre), according to strict safety rules.

What if my luggage does not comply with the allowed rules?

Your luggage will be refused or must be placed in the hold at an additional cost. This can mean a fine of approximately €70. It is therefore wise to check thoroughly in advance and, if possible, add Priority or checked baggage.

For an overview of maximum hand luggage dimensions of various airlines and useful comparisons, check out our hand luggage dimensions per airline overview 2026.

If you are looking for a practical, durable suitcase that always complies with Ryanair's baggage rules, visit our hand luggage suitcases collection with multiple sizes and reliable closures.