Ryanair's baggage allowance includes one free small personal bag (40x30x20cm) fitting under the seat; for more, you pay for Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (adds a 10kg overhead bag) or Checked Bags (10kg, 20kg, or 23kg options). Checked bags must be dropped at the desk before security, while the 10kg cabin bag (55x40x20cm) goes in the overhead locker with priority boarding.
I’ve flown with Ryanair more times than I can count, and somewhere along the way I realized that the airline’s baggage system was no longer something you could guess your way through. The Ryanair Airlines baggage policy has changed so much over the years that what used to feel simple now feels like a series of rules you either follow precisely or pay for immediately. After getting hit with unexpected fees more than once—sometimes at the airport and sometimes right at the gate—I decided to finally understand every part of the Ryanair Airlines baggage allowance for real.
This is the full story of how I went from frustrated traveler to someone who now handles Ryanair’s baggage structure almost automatically. And because most people never see the real numbers until it’s too late, I’m also including the approximate Ryanair Airlines baggage fees I’ve personally paid and seen others get charged.
When Ryanair’s Baggage Rules Were Simpler
To understand why today’s policy feels so strict, it helps to remember how things worked a few years ago. I used to travel with a small roller suitcase and a backpack, and most of the time, both would make it onto the plane without incident. The rules around the airline cabin baggage size Ryanair allowed seemed flexible. I never measured anything; I simply assumed my bags were “small enough.”
Boarding was relaxed, too. If your cabin bag didn’t fit perfectly into the sizer, the staff often let it slide. I remember thinking how unusually easy Ryanair was for a low-cost airline.
And then the policy changed.
Ryanair tightened its free baggage allowance so much that suddenly only one small under-seat bag qualified for free transport. Everything else became a paid upgrade. This shift created a system that heavily rewards planning in advance and severely punishes anyone who shows up at the airport guessing or assuming.
I fell into that second category for longer than I should have.
The Trip That Made Me Finally Learn the Policy
I still remember the exact flight where the new rules hit me. I showed up with my usual carry-on roller, expecting to store it in the overhead bin like always. Instead, the agent stopped me and asked me to place it into the sizer. I nudged, pushed, and tilted it, but it didn’t go all the way down. The agent didn’t even blink.
I was charged a gate bag fee of about €55–€65 immediately.
The worst part wasn’t the money. It was the feeling that I had been careless—that I assumed the baggage allowance for Ryanair Airlines was the same as before.
That one encounter taught me that Ryanair enforces its rules without hesitation. Since then, I’ve been paying attention to every single detail.
The Current Baggage Allowance and What It Actually Includes
After that painful experience, I finally dug into the Ryanair baggage structure properly. Here’s what I learned about what Ryanair really allows today:
The Only Free Item
One small personal bag:
40 cm x 20 cm x 25 cm
Must fit under the seat.
Not the overhead bin.
Not “near” your feet—under the seat.
If it’s even slightly too big, Ryanair considers it oversized.
Paid Cabin Bag (10 kg)
This is what most people think of as a “carry-on.”
Size must be:
55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm
Weight: 10 kg max
This option must be purchased. It is not free under any fare.
Priority + 2 Cabin Bags
This is the upgrade that gives you:
• the 40 x 20 x 25 cm personal bag, and
• the 55 x 40 x 20 cm cabin bag
• early boarding, which basically guarantees overhead space
Checked Baggage
Offered in 20 kg or 30 kg options.
Price depends on route and timing.
Overweight Bags
If your checked bag exceeds the purchased limit, you pay per kilogram over the limit.
This is the full Ryanair airline baggage allowance as it works today—not as it used to work years ago.
The Fee Structure: What You Actually Pay (Approximate Prices)
Ryanair’s fee system is designed around timing. I didn’t understand this at first, so I paid more than I needed to. Over the years, here’s what I’ve consistently observed.
1. 10 kg Cabin Bag (55 x 40 x 20)
During booking:
€12–€26
After booking (Manage Trip):
€18–€38
During online check-in:
€25–€40
At airport counter:
€40–€50
At the gate:
€55–€65
(This is the fee that surprised me that one morning.)
2. Priority + 2 Cabin Bags
During booking:
€20–€32
After booking:
€24–€40
Later add-ons:
€30–€50
I use this option now because it protects me from the “bins are full” issue.
3. Checked Bags: 20 kg and 30 kg
During booking:
€20–€45 for 20 kg
€30–€55 for 30 kg
After booking:
€35–€70 for 20 kg
€45–€85 for 30 kg
At airport:
€45–€75 for 20 kg
€60–€100 for 30 kg
Waiting until the airport for a checked bag is always expensive.
4. Overweight and Oversized Fees
Overweight fee (per kg):
€9–€12 per extra kilogram
Oversized cabin bag (fails sizer):
€55–€70
Bag gets forced into the hold.
When you see these numbers, it becomes clear why so many travelers feel blindsided.
The Behavior That Caused Most of My Problems
Looking back, my biggest mistake was treating Ryanair like a traditional airline. With most airlines, if your bag is slightly oversized, they sometimes ignore it. Ryanair doesn’t. Their agents measure, weigh, and charge immediately. I’ve seen people argue, plead, and even try to repack on the floor. It never works.
Everything changed for me when I accepted that Ryanair isn’t being unreasonable—they’re being exact.
The Step-by-Step Process That Finally Saved Me From Surprise Charges
After enough expensive lessons, I created a simple routine that I now follow every time I book with Ryanair.
Step 1: Measure Bags Before Booking
Not the night before the flight.
Not after packing.
Before booking.
This alone has saved me dozens of euros.
Step 2: Add Baggage During Booking
I never wait until after.
The difference is often €15–€30 per bag.
Step 3: Buy Priority When Using a Cabin Roller
Priority prevents gate bag charges, and it guarantees my bag goes overhead.
Step 4: Weigh Checked Bags at Home
I have a small scale.
I will not pay €12/kg again.
Step 5: Screenshot Everything
If an agent questions my baggage purchase, I have proof immediately available.
When I Needed Extra Help
One time I wasn’t sure if my bag should be a paid cabin bag or a checked bag. Instead of risking another expensive mistake, I called a third-party support line at 1-(833) 444-7613.
They explained the allowance clearly and told me exactly which option would avoid fees.
That call saved me money.
Conclusion
After going through all of this with Ryanair, I’ve realized that the airline isn’t actually difficult—it just demands that you understand the Ryanair baggage allowance, pay attention to the airline cabin baggage size, and book every option at the right time. My earlier trips were filled with unnecessary stress because I didn’t fully read the Ryanair Airlines baggage policy, and I paid the price for it—literally. I once showed up at the gate with a bag that was only slightly oversized and ended up paying an additional €45–€60, when the same allowance would have cost about €8–€12 during booking.
This time, the process felt completely different. By carefully checking the baggage allowance for Ryanair Airlines, comparing fees, and choosing the “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags” option ahead of time, I avoided last-minute charges. Even the 10 kg and 20 kg checked-bag fees were predictable once I understood that prices vary by route and by booking stage. On most of my recent flights, these ran approximately €12–€28 for a 10 kg bag booked early and €20–€50+ for a 20 kg bag, depending on when I added it. Planning ahead is what finally made things manageable.
The biggest shift came from treating the process like a system instead of an obstacle. Once I learned the Ryanair Airlines baggage fees structure and measured my bags properly, everything felt straightforward. And honestly, getting help from a U.S.-based support line like 1-(833) 444-7613 saved me from repeating past mistakes.
Today, I no longer walk into a Ryanair flight wondering, “What is the baggage allowance for Ryanair Airlines?” I already know it, I work with it, and my trips are cheaper and calmer because of it. Understanding the rules turned frustration into confidence—and that’s what finally made budget travel truly budget-friendly.