Ryanair Airline Baggage Policy

 

Ryanair Airline Baggage Policy 

When flying with Ryanair, baggage can either save you money or drain your wallet if you’re not prepared. Since Ryanair is known for its strict rules and extra fees, being clear about what you can bring will help you travel stress-free. Let’s break it down simply so you don’t get caught by surprise charges at the airport.

Hand Luggage Rules

Priority vs Non-Priority Boarding
Ryanair splits passengers into two groups: priority and non-priority.

  • Priority boarding means you can bring a small personal item (40x20x25 cm) plus a 10kg cabin bag (55x40x20 cm). This costs a little extra, but it guarantees overhead bin space and saves you from last-minute gate fees.

  • Non-priority boarding allows just one small personal item, which must fit under the seat in front of you. If you bring a bigger bag without paying for priority, you risk paying up to €55 at the gate.

Personal Item Rules
Your free personal item can be a laptop bag, backpack, handbag, or small camera bag. It just has to fit under the seat. There’s no weight limit, but you must carry it yourself. If it doesn’t fit in Ryanair’s baggage sizer, you’ll be charged on the spot.

Cabin Bag (Priority Only)
Priority passengers can carry one 10kg cabin bag (55x40x20 cm). Even 100g overweight can cost you, so bring a small luggage scale to avoid surprises. Popular choices include roller bags, hard-shell suitcases, or travel backpacks.

Liquids, Electronics & Battery Rules

Like all EU airlines, Ryanair enforces the 100ml liquid rule. Everything (toiletries, creams, gels) must fit into a 1-liter resealable bag.

Electronics such as laptops, tablets, and power banks must be taken out for screening. Power banks and e-cigarettes are allowed only in cabin bags, not in checked luggage. Spare lithium batteries also must stay in carry-on.

Pro tip: keep your gadgets and chargers together in one section of your bag so they’re easy to remove at security.

Checked Baggage Rules & Fees

  • Standard checked bag allowance is 20kg.

  • Heavier options (25kg or 32kg) are available, but cost extra.

  • You can check up to 3 bags per person, but each comes with a fee.

  • Oversized bags (bigger than 81x119x119 cm) are charged as special baggage.

Typical Costs

  • Domestic Ireland/UK flights: €25–35 online (low season), €55–70 at the airport.

  • European routes: €30–50 online, €70–90 at the airport.

  • Long-haul routes: €55–85 online, €100–120 at the airport.

Overweight Charges
Ryanair is strict. Every kilo over the limit costs €11 per kg. For example, a 23kg bag with a 20kg allowance will cost you €33 extra. It’s often cheaper to upgrade your allowance in advance than pay at the airport.

Avoiding Common Baggage Mistakes

  • Measure before you go. Even 1–2 cm over the limit can lead to €55–69 gate check fees.

  • Gate check fees are expensive. If your bag doesn’t fit or bins are full, you’ll pay up to €69 on the spot.

  • Book bags online early. A 20kg bag costs €25–35 online, but €55–70 at the airport.

Tips to Save Money

  1. Pre-book baggage online — always cheaper than paying at the airport.

  2. Look into bundles (Plus / Flexi Plus). These include priority boarding, a cabin bag, and a 20kg checked bag — often cheaper than buying separately.

  3. Pack smart. Wear heavy clothes, use lightweight luggage, and roll your clothes. Compression cubes can save a lot of space.

  4. Share with travel companions. Each bag is charged separately, so balancing weight between bags is smarter than paying overweight fees.

Special & Fragile Items

  • Musical Instruments: Small ones (like violins) can be carried as cabin bags if under 10kg. Larger instruments need either an extra seat or must be checked in a hard case (max 32kg).

  • Sports Equipment:

    • Golf clubs: €50–75 each way.

    • Bicycles: €55–75 each way (must be packed in a bike box).

    • Skis & surfboards: €75–90 each way.

    • Diving tanks are not allowed.

  • Mobility & Medical Equipment: Free of charge and not counted toward baggage allowance. Wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, and CPAP machines are permitted, but notify Ryanair at least 48 hours in advance.

Final Takeaway

Flying Ryanair can be cheap, but only if you play by their rules. The airline is strict on size and weight — even being slightly over can cost you dearly. Always pre-book baggage online, measure and weigh your bags at home, and consider bundles if you need more than one service. With a little planning, you can avoid hidden costs and actually enjoy the budget savings Ryanair promises.

https://www.baggage-policy.com/blog/ryanair-airline-baggage-policy

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LOT Polish Baggage Policy

 LOT Polish Airlines has straightforward baggage rules. As an Economy passenger, you are allowed to take one carry-on (8 kg) and a personal item. As a Business traveler, you can take two (9 kg each). The checked baggage allowance gets complicated: in Economy, you usually get a 1 x 23 kg bag; in Premium Economy, you get 2 x 23 kg bag; in Business Class, you are allowed 2 x 32 kg bags; and infants get a 1 x 23 kg checked bag and a stroller. If you have an oversized or overweight bag (between 24-31kg), you might need to pay around €50 to €100. If your checked bag is larger than 158 cm, or if you have an extra piece of luggage, you will pay additionally for these conditions. If you are going to be overweight, oversized, or have special requests, it is always cheaper to prepurchase these fees online rather than at the airport. LOT is also strict about all these limits so be careful to weigh your luggage before arriving. Special items, like sports equipment, etc., and instruments, have t...
Read more

Copa-Airline-Baggage-Policy

  Copa Airlines has a pretty lenient baggage policy, but being mindful of the details will help you avoid incurring unwanted fees. Copa Airlines allows passengers to take carry-on baggage (22 inches long x 14 inches wide x 9 inches high, 22 lbs max) plus one personal item (17 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 6 inches high). The checked baggage allowance is dependent on the class of service purchased: Economy gets one checked bag (50 lbs); Premium Economy and Business class bags gets two of 70 lbs each. Additional fees are charged for overweight and oversized checked bags ($100-$300). Sports gear, musical instruments, and medical equipment are allowed upon acceptance of their terms and conditions. Pets under 20 lbs can travel in the cabin of the airplane for an additional cost of $150. Baggage fees can vary based on your route and the time of year. For example, domestic baggage fees are between $30-$85; baggage fees for international travel are between $45 - $100. Elite Connect Mile...
Read more