Ryanair Carry-On Rules: Size, Weight & Liquids Policy

Ryanair can be a great deal and is typically the cheapest way to connect in Europe, but only if you treat baggage as part of the fare. The fastest way to avoid surprise fees is to (1) pack to the exact size limits and (2) confirm whether your airfare includes a carry-on before you show up at the airport.

Low-cost airlines may have lower base fares, but if you’re not careful, you’ll actually pay more because of all their “à la carte” fees.   These include costs for both checked and carry-on luggage, among other things, like not checking in on time.

Ryanair carry-on rules at a glance

Every Ryanair passenger can bring one small personal item for free. It must measure no more than 40 x 30 x 20 centimeters, or about 15.7 x 11.8 x 8 inches.

Passengers with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags can also bring one larger carry-on measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20 centimeters, or about 21.7 x 15.7 x 8 inches. The larger bag cannot weigh more than 10 kilograms, or about 22 pounds.

Bag type	Maximum size	Weight limit	Storage location
Small personal item	40 x 30 x 20 cm	No published limit	Under the seat
Larger cabin bag	55 x 40 x 20 cm	10 kg or 22 pounds	Overhead bin

Wheels, handles, exterior pockets and other parts of the bag count toward the measurements.

Related Article: Airline Carry-on Rules

Does Ryanair include a carry-on with your ticket?

No. Ryanair includes one small personal item with every ticket. However, the airline does not include a standard overhead carry-on bag with its lowest Basic fare.

To bring a rolling suitcase into the cabin, you generally need to purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags. This includes:

• One small personal item
• One 10-kilogram overhead cabin bag
• Access to the Priority boarding line

You can add Priority while booking or later through your reservation, subject to availability. Ryanair limits the number of larger carry-on bags because its aircraft have limited overhead-bin space.

Some higher Ryanair fare bundles may include the larger cabin bag. Always check the baggage allowance shown during booking rather than relying only on the fare name.

Ryanair Bag Sizer

Ryanair uses metal bag sizers at its airport gates. Your entire bag must fit inside the correct section of the sizer without forcing it.

The personal-item section reflects the 40 x 30 x 20-centimeter limit. The larger carry-on section reflects the 55 x 40 x 20-centimeter limit.

A soft bag may be easier to compress into the sizer, but it still needs to fit fully. A hard-shell suitcase that is slightly too tall or deep cannot be compressed.

The most common problem for travelers from the United States is bag depth. Many American carry-ons are approximately nine inches deep, while Ryanair allows only about 8 inches.

How strict is Ryanair with the sizer?

Ryanair does not measure every bag on every flight, but passengers should assume their bags may be checked. Gate agents are more likely to check a bag that looks large, overfilled or clearly outside the airline’s limits.

Enforcement can vary by airport, flight and gate staff. That does not change the official rule, and a bag accepted on one flight could still be checked on another.

When a bag does not fit in the sizer, Ryanair can refuse it as cabin baggage and place it in the aircraft hold for an airport fee. These last-minute fees are usually much higher than adding baggage online before the flight.

The safest approach is to stay slightly below the limit rather than buying a bag that matches it exactly.

Ryanair personal item rules

Every Ryanair fare includes one personal item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20 centimeters. It must fit completely under the seat in front of you.

Common personal items include:

• A small backpack
• A handbag
• A laptop bag
• A small travel tote

A normal school backpack or large laptop backpack may exceed the limit when fully packed. Measure the bag after packing because clothing and exterior pockets can increase its depth.

The personal item is not supposed to go in the overhead bin. Ryanair reserves that space for passengers who purchased a larger cabin-bag allowance.

Ryanair carry-on bag rules (overhead bin)

Passengers who purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags may bring a second bag into the cabin. This bag can measure no more than 55 x 40 x 20 centimeters and weigh no more than 10 kilograms.

The larger bag goes into the overhead compartment. Your smaller personal item must remain under the seat unless the cabin crew directs otherwise.

Priority does not guarantee that your exact overhead compartment will remain available. Cabin crew may move bags or place them in the hold when operational needs require it.

Do not expand an expandable suitcase unless it remains within the allowed measurements. An expanded carry-on will often exceed Ryanair’s 20-centimeter depth limit.

Recommended carry-on bag: Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Spinner

The Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner is a lightweight option that comes very close to Ryanair’s cabin-bag limit. Technically, it’s about one-tenth of an inch taller than Ryanair’s stated maximum, although its width and depth are within the limit. I did not have a problem with this and think it is a good bag to bring, but if you want to be 100% sure, you might want to search for something even smaller.

Carry-on weight limit

Ryanair’s larger cabin bag has a maximum weight of 10 kilograms, which equals approximately 22 pounds. The airline can weigh the bag at the airport or boarding gate.

Ryanair does not publish a standard weight limit for the free personal item. However, you must be able to carry and place it under the seat without assistance.

The 10-kilogram limit includes the weight of the suitcase itself. For example, if your empty suitcase weighs 5.3 pounds, you have approximately 16.7 pounds left for clothing, shoes and other items.

A small portable luggage scale can help you avoid surprises at the airport. Weigh the suitcase after packing and leave a little room for anything you may add during the trip.

Summary: Ryanair Carry-On Policy

Ryanair’s Basic fare includes only one personal item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20 centimeters. A normal overhead carry-on is not included unless you buy Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or select a fare bundle that includes it.

The larger cabin bag may measure no more than 55 x 40 x 20 centimeters and weigh no more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Ryanair may place oversized or unauthorized bags in the hold and charge a fee at the gate.

Measure your suitcase with its wheels and handles included, and do not overpack expandable luggage. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Spinner is lightweight and close to Ryanair’s size limit, but its published height is technically about one-tenth of an inch over the airline’s maximum.