Ryanair Baggage Fees: What You Pay and When to Avoid It
Ryanair baggage fees depend on what you pack, when you book, and whether you've bought Priority. Everyone gets one free under-seat bag measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm. Overhead cabin bags, hold luggage and anything larger cost extra – and the gate fee is a painful £70–£75 if you get caught out. Here's the full breakdown.
What's Included Free on Every Ryanair Flight
Every passenger – regardless of fare or route – can bring one small bag measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm that fits under the seat in front. It must stay under the seat for the entire flight, and it's the only item included in your base fare.
This bag is enough for a weekend if you pack well. If you need more space, you'll need to pay for one of the add-ons below.
Ryanair Priority & 2 Cabin Bags: The Most Popular Add-On
The Priority & 2 Cabin Bags add-on costs between £6 and £36, depending on your route and booking date. It gives you:
- Your free under-seat bag (40 × 30 × 20 cm)
- One overhead cabin bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm, up to 10 kg)
- Priority boarding, so you board first and are guaranteed overhead space
This is the cheapest way to bring a full-size cabin bag, and it's almost always cheaper than checking hold luggage if you're travelling light. Book it when you buy your ticket – the price rises closer to departure.
If you regularly fly Ryanair, read our guide on whether Ryanair Priority is worth it for a full cost comparison.
Ryanair 10 kg Check-In Bag
If you don't need overhead space but want to check a bag, the 10 kg Check-In Bag costs between £12 and £35.99. You drop it at the bag-drop desk, and collect it at baggage reclaim.
This option makes sense if:
- You're carrying liquids over 100 ml
- You don't want to queue for overhead space
- You're travelling with someone who has Priority, so you can board together without needing it yourself
The 10 kg bag can measure up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm, the same size as the overhead cabin bag, but it goes in the hold instead.
Ryanair 20 kg Check-In Bag
The 20 kg Check-In Bag costs between £25 and £58.99, depending on route and booking date. It's the most common hold luggage option for a week-long holiday, and you can add up to three per passenger.
If you're travelling as a couple or family, it's often cheaper to share one 20 kg bag than to buy multiple 10 kg bags – especially if you book early.
Ryanair Gate Fees: What Happens If You Don't Pre-Book
If you turn up at the gate with a bag that's too large for your allowance, Ryanair charges £70–£75 to put it in the hold. This applies if:
- You bring an overhead-sized bag without Priority
- Your under-seat bag doesn't fit the sizer (40 × 30 × 20 cm)
- You bring two bags but haven't paid for Priority
The gate fee is deliberately punishing. It's always cheaper to pre-book, even on the day of travel. If you're unsure whether your bag will pass, read our guide on how the Ryanair bag sizer works.
How Ryanair Baggage Fees Compare to Other UK Airlines
Here's how Ryanair stacks up against easyJet, Wizz Air and Jet2:
| Airline | Free under-seat bag | Cabin bag (overhead) | Included free? | Gate fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, up to 10 kg | No — Priority & 2 Cabin Bags add-on | £70–£75 |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm, up to 15 kg | 56 × 45 × 25 cm, up to 15 kg | No — Paid add-on, FLEXI or Inclusive Plus fare, or easyJet Plus membership | £48–£60 |
| Wizz Air | 40 × 30 × 20 cm, up to 10 kg | 55 × 40 × 23 cm, up to 10 kg | No — WIZZ Priority, or the WIZZ Go / WIZZ Plus bundles | around €65 |
| Jet2 | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 56 × 45 × 25 cm, up to 10 kg | Yes | No gate fine — an oversize or overweight bag goes in the hold, and gate charges cost more than pre-booking |
Ryanair's free allowance is the smallest, but if you can travel with just an under-seat bag, all four airlines let you fly without paying extra. Jet2's baggage allowance is the most generous – you get a full cabin bag included – but the base fare is often higher.
How to Avoid Ryanair Baggage Fees Altogether
If you want to fly without paying extra, here's how:
- Pack in a 40 × 30 × 20 cm bag only. This is free for everyone, and it's enough for a weekend or even a week if you pack light. Read our guide on how to pack a weekend in an underseat bag.
- Buy a bag that fits the sizer. Ryanair's sizers are strict, so soft bags work better than rigid ones. Our Ryanair Underseat Cabin Travel Bag (40 × 25 × 20 cm) is designed to pass every time.
- Wear your bulkiest items. Coats, boots and hoodies don't count as luggage if you're wearing them.
- Check hold luggage cost before you book Priority. If you're checking a bag anyway, the 10 kg option can be cheaper than Priority, especially on short routes.
For more tips, see our article on choosing the right Ryanair cabin bag.
When It's Worth Paying for Priority
Priority makes sense if:
- You're travelling for more than a weekend and need a full cabin bag
- You want guaranteed overhead space (non-Priority passengers sometimes have to gate-check bags for free if the hold fills up, but you lose time at baggage reclaim)
- You're flying a busy route where boarding is chaotic
- You're travelling with hand luggage only and want to board first
If you fly Ryanair more than a few times a year, Priority almost always works out cheaper than checking hold luggage, especially if you book it early.
Ryanair Baggage Fees: Key Takeaways
- Free allowance: One bag (40 × 30 × 20 cm) under the seat
- Priority & 2 Cabin Bags: £6–£36, includes overhead bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm, up to 10 kg) and priority boarding
- 10 kg Check-In Bag: £12–£35.99, same size as cabin bag but goes in the hold
- 20 kg Check-In Bag: £25–£58.99, most common hold luggage option
- Gate fee: £70–£75 if you don't pre-book
The cheapest way to fly Ryanair is to pack everything in your free under-seat bag. If you need more space, book Priority or hold luggage when you buy your ticket – never at the gate.
For a full breakdown of Ryanair's current hand luggage rules, including weight limits and cabin bag dimensions, visit our Ryanair hub page or read our guide on the 2026 hand luggage allowance.
FAQ
Q: How much does Ryanair charge for cabin baggage?
A: Your under-seat bag (40 × 30 × 20 cm) is free. An overhead cabin bag costs between £6 and £36 when you buy the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags add-on. If you don't pre-book and bring an oversized bag to the gate, Ryanair charges £70–£75.
Q: Is it cheaper to book Ryanair Priority at the airport?
A: No. Priority must be booked online, and the price rises as your departure date approaches. The gate fee for an unpaid cabin bag is £70–£75, far more than any pre-booked option. Always book before you reach the airport.
Q: Can I bring a handbag as well as my Ryanair under-seat bag?
A: No. Your free allowance is one bag only. If you bring a handbag, laptop bag or duty-free shopping bag as a second item, you'll be asked to fit it inside your under-seat bag or pay £70–£75 at the gate. The only exception is small medical or infant items.
Q: How strict is Ryanair with the 40 × 30 × 20 cm under-seat bag size?
A: Very strict. Gate staff use a metal sizer, and if your bag doesn't fit, you'll pay £70–£75. Soft bags are more forgiving than hard-shell cases. Our Bordlite Underseat Cabin Bag 40×30×20 — Yellow (40 × 30 × 20 cm) is cut to fit Ryanair's sizer with room to spare.
Airline baggage rules and fees change frequently and can vary by route, travel date and when you book. Always check the airline's current official baggage policy before travelling.
