Do wizz air charge for hand luggage

Find out whether Wizz Air charges for cabin bags, which items are free, size and weight limits, and how fees apply to carry-on and priority boarding. Includes tips to avoid charges.
Do wizz air charge for hand luggage

Direct recommendation: Travel with a single small personal item sized up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm to avoid extra fees. Purchase a Priority add-on or a higher fare bundle during booking to include a larger cabin bag allowance; adding that allowance later at the terminal is usually more expensive.

Exact allowances: small personal item – 40 x 30 x 20 cm included with every ticket; larger cabin bag – 55 x 40 x 23 cm with a maximum of 10 kg is permitted only when Priority or an equivalent bundle is added. Checked items begin at roughly €10 when added at booking and commonly rise when added later at the terminal or gate. Prices vary by route and booking time.

Best practices to save money: measure and weigh pieces at home, buy Priority or a bundle during initial purchase, add checked allowance while booking if a large carry piece is needed, pack a compact soft-sided bag to compress contents, place valuables and travel documents in the free small personal item to avoid accessing a paid carry case at the gate.

Fees on cabin baggage with this carrier?

Buy the Priority add-on during booking to include both a small personal item (40×30×20 cm) and a larger cabin bag (55×40×23 cm, max 10 kg); without Priority only the under-seat item travels free and any oversized cabin item requires a paid bundle or will incur high fees at the gate.

  • Base fare allowance: one under-seat personal item up to 40×30×20 cm; no published weight limit but must fit under the seat.
  • Priority / bundle option: permits an extra cabin bag up to 55×40×23 cm, maximum 10 kg, plus the personal item at boarding.
  • Typical online add-on costs per sector: approximately €5–€35 when purchased during booking or later online; desk/gate purchases typically jump to €35–€60.
  • Checked-bag alternatives: pre-booked checked options commonly sold as 10 kg, 20 kg or 32 kg; expect prices roughly €9–€70 depending on route and timing.
  1. Measure and weigh items at home; oversized or overweight cabin pieces are usually gate-checked with an extra surcharge.
  2. Buy Priority or the appropriate bundle while managing your booking to secure the lower online rate and guarantee overhead bin space.
  3. When minimizing expense, restrict carry items to a single under-seat object and move bulkier possessions into a paid checked bag bought in advance.

Add required allowances online at least 24 hours prior to departure to avoid significantly higher desk/gate costs.

Cabin bag allowance by fare class (Basic, Go, Plus)

Choose Go or Plus if you need a larger cabin bag and priority boarding.

Basic

Included piece: one small personal item up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm that must fit under the seat. No complimentary larger cabin bag; bringing a 55 x 40 x 23 cm case at the gate will incur a gate fee. Keep documents and small electronics inside the small item to reduce handling at boarding.

Go and Plus

Go: includes the small personal item plus one cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm, maximum weight 10 kg. Priority boarding is usually included; seat selection and checked bags require separate purchase. If cabin weight will exceed 10 kg, add a checked allowance during booking to reduce gate fees.

Plus: includes the same cabin allowance as Go plus an included checked bag (commonly up to 20 kg), priority boarding and seat selection; verify exact checked weight and other inclusions at checkout. Select this tier when traveling with additional suitcases, since pre-purchased allowances are typically cheaper than gate rates.

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Weigh cabin items at home with a compact scale and compress soft clothing into one bag to stay under 10 kg; store bulky coats or shoes on the person during boarding when approaching the weight limit. Reference unrelated appliance information: are there any problems with hotpoint freezers

Dimensions and weight limits for free cabin baggage and personal item

Carry one small personal item no larger than 40 x 30 x 20 cm to avoid extra fees.

  • Small personal item: maximum external dimensions 40 x 30 x 20 cm. No published weight cap; keep this item light (suggested 5–7 kg) so it fits under the seat easily.
  • Larger cabin bag (when permitted by ticket type or add‑on): maximum external dimensions 55 x 40 x 23 cm and maximum weight 10 kg. Wheels, handles and external pockets count toward total size.

Measure packed items using a rigid tape measure. Measure width × height × depth across the fullest points, including wheels and protruding handles. Soft‑sided bags may compress slightly but must still pass the sizer at the gate.

  • Gate checks: staff may verify size with a boarding sizer; oversized or overweight items will be required to go into hold and additional fees may be imposed.
  • Weighing tip: use a portable scale at home with the bag fully packed. Aim under 10 kg for a larger cabin bag; aim under 5–7 kg for the small personal item.
  • Packing suggestions: place heavy objects near the base, keep liquids within security limits in a clear 1‑litre bag, store passports and electronics in the small personal item to reduce carry weight in the larger bag.
  • Measurement checklist: include wheels and side pockets, close all external compartments when measuring, and record dimensions after final packing.

Fees: larger carry-on, priority boarding, second bag

Recommendation: Buy priority and any extra-cabin allowance during online booking to minimize costs; typical online fees range €6–€45 depending on route, season and seat occupancy.

Priority normally bundles priority boarding plus permission to carry an additional small cabin bag. Expect online pricing between €5 and €35; at airport or at the gate prices frequently rise to €20–€60.

Larger-than-included cabin items that exceed the operator’s published dimensions or weight will be gate-checked and treated as checked baggage. Anticipate a gate-handling fee roughly €30–€70; pre-booking an extra cabin allowance often costs less, roughly €10–€50 depending on route.

Adding a second cabin bag without priority is commonly restricted. Purchase the separate add-on labeled “extra cabin” or include priority during reservation to avoid refusal at boarding and higher airport fees. Typical online second-bag rates fall in the €6–€40 bracket; on-the-spot fees can be double or higher.

Practical steps: measure and weigh carry items at home, add chosen extras while managing your booking, and compare bundled fares that already include extra cabin pieces and priority. When travel dates are busy, secure extras early to lock in the lower end of the price range.

Consequences of non-compliance: oversize cabin items may be checked automatically and billed as checked baggage, boarding without purchased priority may result in delayed retrieval of a second bag at destination, and airport transactions usually carry the highest fees.

How to add carry-on or priority during booking, online check-in and at the airport

Best move: add carry-on and priority during the initial booking to secure the lowest add-on rate and guaranteed boarding priority; missed that, use the Manage Booking tool or the online check-in window next.

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During booking: select the extras/options or baggage section on the payment page and tick the “Priority & carry-on” bundle or single-item carry-on option shown next to the fare. Pay with card or digital wallet; desktop and mobile sites display the cheapest price here because inventory and promo rates apply at time of sale. Keep the booking confirmation and reference code; you can later modify that same record if needed.

Online check-in: use the Manage Booking link or the check-in portal that appears in your confirmation email. Typical operational windows allow additions up to the check-in close time (check your itinerary for exact cutoff). Within this window you can add priority, a second cabin bag, or upgrade the carry-on entitlement; fees are usually higher than at booking but lower than at the airport. Use a saved card to speed payment; print or download the updated boarding pass immediately after purchase.

At the airport: visit the staffed check-in desk, dedicated sales kiosk or the gate sales point. Last-minute purchases are accepted subject to space availability and may incur the highest premium. If the gate is closed or the flight has already boarded, staff may refuse upgrades. Have card payment ready and allow extra time: add-ons purchased at the terminal can take several minutes to process and appear on your boarding pass.

Quick tips: 1) always check the booking confirmation for the precise check-in cutoff and permitted modification window; 2) add priority together with your carry-on when possible to avoid repeated fees; 3) arrive early at the airport if you must buy at the desk. If you transport bulky or delicate items, pack them into a compliant bag and consider protective materials such as those discussed in best material for deck umbrella.

At the gate: inspection process, refused items and fees applied to oversized bags

Present your carry-on immediately when gate staff request inspection; items will be measured and weighed, and oversized pieces may incur on-site fees, be gate-checked into the hold, or be denied boarding.

Typical inspection sequence: staff ask to place the item into a sizer box, scale it on a gate scale, and perform a brief visual contents check to detect prohibited articles. If the item fits the sizer and weight limits accepted at boarding, staff proceed with boarding pass verification.

Commonly refused articles at gate include loose lithium battery packs with exposed terminals, bulk combustible liquids, aerosol cans larger than allowed, sharp implements without protective sheaths, and undeclared restricted chemicals. Portable electronic smoking devices often cannot be placed in checked hold and may be required to remain in cabin; staff may refuse them in stored bags and demand removal.

When a bag exceeds permitted dimensions or weight, typical options at gate: pay an on-the-spot fee to transfer the item to the hold, accept gate-check with a tagged item returned at the baggage belt at destination, remove or redistribute contents to meet cabin rules, or upgrade boarding class via app or gate kiosk if available.

To reduce risk of unexpected payments, weigh and measure carry items at home, consolidate liquids into compliant containers, move heavy items into worn clothing, and buy priority or extra-cabin allowance before check-in through the carrier website or app.

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Issue Gate action Recommended immediate step Typical fee range
Overweight carry item Weighed on gate scale; flagged Remove dense items into coat or personal item, or accept gate-check €25–€60
Oversized dimensions Placed in sizer; rejected if too large Gate-check to hold or upgrade allowance prior to boarding €30–€70
Prohibited item detected Item confiscated or removed; passenger may be denied carriage Declare items early or hand to compliant person not travelling; avoid attempting to carry Confiscation or administrative penalty (varies)
Excess liquids or aerosols Removed from cabin; may be surrendered Transfer to checked bag or discard before boarding Usually no fee; loss of item possible
Spare batteries / power banks Requested to remain in cabin; may be refused in checked hold Carry in hand cabin; secure terminals with tape and original packaging if possible No fee when compliant; confiscation if unsafe

FAQ:

Do Wizz Air charge for hand luggage?

Yes. Every ticket includes a free small personal item that must fit under the seat (typically around 40 x 30 x 20 cm). If you want to bring a larger cabin bag (the standard wheeled carry-on), you will usually need to pay unless that allowance is part of your fare or you have purchased WIZZ Priority. Fees vary by route and how far in advance you add the bag.

What size and weight of hand luggage can I bring for free on Wizz Air?

Wizz Air’s basic allowance lets you carry one small personal item that fits under the seat, commonly listed as 40 x 30 x 20 cm. A larger cabin bag is typically 55 x 40 x 23 cm and often has a weight limit (commonly up to 10 kg) but is allowed only with certain fares or with WIZZ Priority. Check your booking confirmation or the airline’s official baggage page to confirm the exact figures for your flight.

How much does it cost to add a full-size cabin bag and when is the cheapest time to pay?

Prices change by route and booking moment. Adding a cabin bag during initial booking or via the airline website/app before travel is usually cheaper than paying at the airport or at the gate. Typical extra costs can range from a modest fee for online add-ons to significantly higher charges at check-in or boarding. If you need the larger carry-on, buy the allowance as soon as you know you will take it — that normally saves money and avoids surprises at the gate.

What will happen if my hand luggage is too large at boarding and how can I avoid extra charges?

Staff may measure or weigh your bag at the gate. If it exceeds the allowed dimensions or weight for carry-on, you will be required to check it into the hold and pay the corresponding fee. To avoid this: use a bag that matches the permitted sizes, weigh it before you travel, consider buying WIZZ Priority or the cabin-bag add-on in advance, or pack valuables and essentials in the free small item that fits under the seat. Fees paid at the gate are generally higher than online prices.

Michael Turner
Michael Turner

Michael Turner is a U.S.-based travel enthusiast, gear reviewer, and lifestyle blogger with a passion for exploring the world one trip at a time. Over the past 10 years, he has tested countless backpacks, briefcases, duffels, and travel accessories to find the perfect balance between style, comfort, and durability. On Gen Buy, Michael shares detailed reviews, buying guides, and practical tips to help readers choose the right gear for work, gym, or travel. His mission is simple: make every journey easier, smarter, and more enjoyable with the right bag by your side.

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