Does ryanair charge for carry on luggage

Quick recommendation: Purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or the separate 10 kg cabin bag option during booking to keep your hand baggage with you and prevent gate-handling penalties.

Standard tickets include one personal item up to 40×20×25 cm that fits under the seat; weight is rarely enforced for that item. The add-on or Priority permits a second bag up to 55×40×20 cm with a maximum weight of 10 kg.

Gate staff will place oversized cabin items into the hold and a gate fee typically ranges from €25 to €60. Buying the allowance online during booking is usually cheaper, often under €15 depending on route and season.

Practical steps: measure dimensions at home, weigh packed bags on a household scale, buy Priority or the 10 kg option while booking or via Manage Booking, save confirmation on your phone, and present the correct tag at boarding to avoid last-minute handling.

Special rules apply to infants, plus-sized sports equipment and musical instruments; those items require a separate paid booking or checked-item purchase, and oversized/overweight items attract higher airport handling fees.

Cabin bag policy and how to avoid extra fees

Buy Priority Boarding when planning to take a 55x40x20 cm cabin bag; otherwise limit yourself to a single small personal bag within 40x20x25 cm, which travels free.

Priority permits one additional trolley or backpack up to 10 kg with outer dimensions 55x40x20 cm. The complimentary personal item must fit under the seat ahead and not exceed 40x20x25 cm.

Add the larger-bag option during booking or via Manage Booking – prices rise closer to departure and at the airport. Typical online rates range €6–€25 per sector depending on route and season; airport purchases frequently cost substantially more.

Boarding staff measure items and enforce the 10 kg limit; oversized or overweight pieces are often moved to hold and incur higher fees.

Actionable steps

Measure external dimensions of every bag and confirm a snug fit under the seat at home.

Weigh bags using a home scale; keep the checked weight under 10 kg when using the cabin-size allowance.

Buy Priority during initial booking when possible, or add it early via Manage Booking to lock a lower rate.

At the gate present only the permitted personal item to avoid secondary screening and on-the-spot assessments.

Quick checklist

Small personal item: max 40 x 20 x 25 cm – always free.

Priority cabin bag: max 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg – purchase needed unless included in fare.

Purchase timing: booking window < Manage Booking < airport – prices escalate along that sequence.

Enforcement: measurement at boarding; overweight or oversize moved to hold with added fees.

Cabin bag dimensions and weight allowed without fee

Bring a small under-seat item no larger than 40 x 20 x 25 cm; this complimentary allowance has no published weight limit but must fit beneath the seat in front of you.

• Small under-seat item – max external dimensions 40 x 20 x 25 cm; typical examples: handbag, small laptop sleeve, folded duty‑free bag.
• Additional cabin bag available when Priority or a bundle that includes two cabin items is purchased – max 55 x 40 x 20 cm, max weight 10 kg; both items must meet the stated size limits.
• Items exceeding permitted dimensions will be moved to the hold at the gate and will incur an extra fee if not pre-booked.

Practical steps to avoid surprises:

• Measure external width, height and depth including wheels, handles and exterior pockets; airport sizers use outer measurements.
• Weigh bags at home on a bathroom scale (weigh yourself holding the bag, subtract your weight); target under 10 kg when carrying the larger cabin item.
• Shift heavy items into checked baggage when possible, wear heavier garments during boarding and use compression cubes to save space.
• Pack liquids in 100 ml containers inside a clear resealable plastic bag to meet security rules.

Gate enforcement and cost control:

• Gate staff will measure and may redirect oversized or overweight items to the hold; paying a gate surcharge is usually more expensive than pre-booking the appropriate allowance online.
• Purchase Priority or the appropriate bundle online if you need the 55 x 40 x 20 cm item and want to avoid last-minute handling at the gate.

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When a 10kg cabin bag incurs a fee

Buy Priority if you plan to take a 10 kg cabin bag; pre-book the add-on online to avoid higher costs at the gate.

Typical situations leading to a fee

Travelers without Priority are limited to a small personal item (40 x 20 x 25 cm). Bringing the standard 10 kg cabin bag without Priority results in mandatory gate-check and a surcharge, commonly €25–€55 depending on airport and timing.

Bag dimensions exceeding 55 x 40 x 20 cm will be directed to the hold, with a fee applied during boarding or at bag drop; oversized items can incur higher rates.

Weight above 10 kg triggers a compulsory check-in and an excess-weight or checked-bag cost; online pre-purchase of extra allowance is usually cheaper than gate payment – expect roughly €15–€40 online, €40–€70 at the airport.

Bringing more pieces than ticket inclusions permit results in per-piece penalties; advance purchase of an additional cabin or hold allowance reduces total expense.

Avoiding unexpected payments

Weigh bags at home and use a soft, lightweight bag that compresses; keep main items under 10 kg and dimensions within 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Buy Priority or the dedicated 10 kg cabin allowance during booking; online fees typically run lower by €15–€35 versus airport rates. If a bag must be checked, purchase a 20 kg hold option during booking to save compared with gate handling.

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How Priority & 2 Cabin Bags helps avoid extra fees

Purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags during booking or via Manage Booking before airport arrival to bring both an under-seat personal item (40×20×25 cm) and a larger cabin bag (55×40×20 cm; max 10 kg) into the cabin; without it the larger item will be placed in the hold at the gate and a gate fee usually applies (around €50–€60).

When to buy

Buy at booking or online prior to travel to get the lowest rate. Price rises at check-in desk and at the gate. The add-on is sold per passenger; check your fare type and confirmation to see if Priority is already included. If you notice the add-on is missing after check-in, add it via Manage Booking or at bag drop to reduce the likelihood of a gate penalty.

Practical packing tips

Use a soft 55×40×20 cm bag to fit overhead lockers; place valuables and immediate-need items in the 40×20×25 cm personal item. Weigh the larger bag at home and keep it under 10 kg. Measure bags before travel and bring a tape measure and a compact scale; oversized or overweight items are typically gate-checked and incur the gate fee noted above.

Airport gate fees and boarding pass fees applied to oversized bags

Prepay a hold bag via the carrier website or mobile app; doing so typically costs 40–70% less than paying at the airport desk or gate and prevents surprise on-the-spot penalties.

Typical fee structure and numeric ranges

When an item exceeds cabin-size limits at the gate, staff usually require it to be checked into the hold and apply one or more fees: an oversize handling fee (common range €25–€120), a gate-check or boarding-pass reissue fee (€20–€70), and overweight penalties that may be charged per kg (€10–€30/kg) or as a flat sum (€30–€100) depending on the carrier.

Domestic short-haul routes with low-cost operators tend toward lower flat fees near the lower end of these ranges; long-haul or interline situations can trigger higher handling and onward-transfer costs. Paying online ahead of travel commonly reduces total outlay versus airport processing.

Practical actions to avoid airport penalties

Measure bags at home using a tape measure and the airline’s published dimension method; keep receipts or photos of measurements saved on your phone. If an item is flagged at the gate, immediately ask staff about cheapest remedies: prepaying an online hold bag addition via the app, transferring bulky items into a checked suitcase that already exists on the booking, or consolidating contents into a permitted personal item.

Other useful steps: use soft-sided carryable bags that compress inside sizers, wear heavier garments to reduce packed weight, arrive earlier to allow time at self-service bag drop desks, and always keep high-value or essential items in a clearly compliant personal item to avoid risk during last-minute gate checks.

How to measure and verify your cabin bag to prevent unexpected fees

Measure external dimensions including wheels and handles, weigh the fully packed bag at home, and compare those numbers against the allowance shown on your booking at least 24 hours before departure.

Measure method: place the bag upright on a flat surface; measure height from base to highest point including wheels and any extended trim; measure width across the widest points including side pockets; measure depth from front panel to back including protrusions. Use metric units (cm) and record as H × W × D.

Weight check methods: use a hanging digital scale by the handle for direct readout; use a bathroom scale and subtract your body weight (step on scale, note value A; step on while holding the packed bag, note value B; bag mass = B − A). Validate with a second device when possible. Aim to stay at least 1 kg below the published mass limit when packed.

Packing adjustments: shift dense items close to the wheelbase to reduce perceived size when compressed; move fragile or heavy objects into checked items or personal pockets; transfer non-essential garments into pockets worn during travel; keep liquids and electronics accessible to remove easily during checks.

Fit verification at home: build a simple cardboard sizer using the maximum H × W × D dimensions from your booking and tape it into a rectangular box; if the zipped bag inserts fully with no bulging, it should pass most sizers. If box test fails, repack or purchase an upgraded allowance well before travel.

Gate and check options when measurements exceed allowance: remove items to a checked item at the desk, upgrade allowance online prior to arrival at the airport, or redistribute weight among companions. Avoid last-minute purchases at the gate by verifying numbers in advance.

How to add or change cabin-bag allowance in your booking and fees

Add Priority & 2 Cabin Bags during purchase or via Manage Booking at least 2 hours prior to departure to secure the lowest extra fee and avoid airport penalties.

1. During booking

   • Select Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option on the extras page; typical fee range: €6–€20 per passenger depending on route and sale pricing.
   • If a fare bundle already includes Priority, confirm via booking summary to avoid duplicate purchases.

2. After purchase – Manage Booking or mobile app

   • Open Manage Booking, enter booking reference and surname, choose “Add extras” then the desired cabin allocation. Typical online add-on fee: €8–€30.
   • Payment methods accepted: major cards, PayPal on selected markets. New confirmation email updates instantly.

3. During online check-in (up to 2 hours prior to departure)

   • Small window to add a cabin permit; expect higher rates than at purchase: €12–€40.
   • After completing check-in, extras cannot be added via the online portal; proceed to airport options below.

4. At airport (desk or gate)

   • Last-minute upgrades accepted subject to availability; gate desk fees are highest: €40–€100. Oversize or overweight penalties may exceed these amounts.
   • Payment accepted at desk; bring card used for booking to speed verification.

5. Call center or travel agent changes

   • Agents can add extras if Manage Booking is unavailable; expect agent handling fees on top of standard extra costs.

Rules and timing summary:

• Any upgrade or add-on must be attached to the original PNR; changes applied outside that PNR are invalid.
• Additions are allowed up to online check-in cutoff; after that, only airport processing remains.
• Extras are non-refundable once paid, except where carrier policy or consumer law mandates otherwise.

Cost-control tactics:

• Buy the desired cabin allocation at booking when prices are lowest.
• If uncertain about bag size, choose Priority & 2 Cabin Bags once; this eliminates last-minute gate payments.
• Use a compliant soft backpack to squeeze into size limits; see best north face backpack for high school as an example of compact, durable options.

If you need to change the selection already purchased:

1. Open Manage Booking, pick the existing extra, remove it if system allows, then add the new option; any price difference must be paid.
2. If removal isn’t permitted online, contact the call center before check-in cutoff; agent fees may apply.
3. Keep screenshots or emailed receipts as proof of purchase when presenting at airport points.