Can you take a small suitcase as hand luggage ryanair

Allowance details: The free personal item must not exceed 40 x 20 x 25 cm and needs to fit under the seat in front. A larger cabin bag measuring 55 x 40 x 20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg is allowed only with Priority boarding or when a cabin-bag option has been purchased. Dimensions include wheels, handles and external pockets.

Gate non-compliance and fees: Oversized or overweight items discovered at boarding are usually checked into the hold for a gate handling fee (typically around €50–€60, variable by airport). Pre-purchasing Priority or adding a bag during booking or online check-in is consistently cheaper than paying at the gate.

Practical recommendations: Measure the case including wheels and any extension, weigh packed items on a home scale, and choose a soft-sided rollaboard or collapsible tote to maximise fit under the seat. Place passport, boarding pass, medication and devices in the personal item for easy access. Keep liquids in 100 ml containers inside a clear 1 L bag for security screening.

Packing strategy: Put heavier objects in checked baggage when possible, use packing cubes to control volume, and test-fit the bag under a domestic chair to simulate under-seat space. If a larger cabin case is required, buy Priority during booking to avoid surplus fees and ensure boarding priority.

Compact cabin case – allowed sizes and steps

Direct answer: a compact cabin case fitting the carrier’s free cabin-item limit 40 x 20 x 25 cm is accepted; a larger cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm, max 10 kg) requires Priority or purchase of a 10 kg cabin bag at booking, and Priority permits both the under-seat case and the overhead bag together.

Quick rules, dimensions and common fees:

Practical recommendations for travellers: measure the case with contents before leaving home; prefer soft-sided under-seat bags for squeezing into the measurement box; place valuables and travel documents in the under-seat item; weigh the overhead bag on a portable scale – overload fees are often charged at the gate. Add Priority or the 10 kg cabin option during booking to secure lower fees compared with airport or gate purchases.

Gateway enforcement and common outcomes: staff will measure items at boarding; oversized or overweight items are usually checked in at the gate with a charge applied; rigid wheeled cases frequently fail the under-seat test and may be gate-checked.

Cabin bag size and weight limits for a compact roller case

Recommendation: On standard fares only one under-seat item up to 40 x 20 x 25 cm is permitted; purchasing Priority or a Cabin Bag add-on allows an additional wheeled case with maximum external dimensions 55 x 40 x 20 cm and a maximum mass of 10 kg.

Measure externally including wheels, protruding handles and any side pockets – allow a 1–2 mm safety margin to avoid gate rejection.

Weigh items at home using a kitchen or portable scale. Place heavy objects close to the wheelbase, use compression cubes for clothing, and split weight between the under-seat item and the larger roller so the 10 kg limit for the larger item is not exceeded.

Rigid-shell rollers often push the permitted dimensions once wheels and handles are included; soft-sided cases can compress but must still fit the external envelope when measured. If an item exceeds allowed size or mass at the gate it will be checked and additional charges will apply; pre-booking Priority or a hold bag online is usually cheaper than paying gate fees.

Protect wheels and prolong case life with best luggage wheel protectors; reinforced wheels reduce the risk of damage that might force an unexpected check-in.

How Priority & Plus fares affect bringing an extra cabin bag onboard

Purchase Priority or select a Plus fare that includes Priority to secure an additional 55 x 40 x 20 cm carry-on (maximum 10 kg); without Priority only a single 40 x 20 x 25 cm under-seat item is included in the basic fare.

Priority is available as an add-on at booking or later via the booking management page; Plus normally bundles Priority with benefits such as reserved seating and reduced checked-bag fees. Verify the booking confirmation for “Priority” wording to avoid gate charges for oversized items.

Measure measured dimensions including wheels and handles before travel: many rigid cases exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm once wheels/handles are counted. Opt for a soft-sided 55 x 40 x 20 cm roller or a collapsible tote to squeeze into overhead bins when cabin space is limited.

Gate enforcement and cost control

Staff will check both dimensions and the 10 kg weight at boarding; an oversized item without Priority will be processed at the gate and a fee charged to the payment method on file. Add Priority during purchase for the lowest incremental cost, weigh bags at home, and flag checked-bag needs in advance to avoid last-minute surcharges. For unrelated legal guidance see how can a father get full custody in washington state.

Packing checklist and prohibited items for a compact cabin case

Pack all liquids in containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less and place them inside a single transparent resealable bag of maximum 1 litre; present this bag separately at security screening.

Checklist: passport/ID and boarding pass; contactless bank cards and some cash; phone, tablet and lightweight laptop (remove from case at screening if requested); chargers, universal adapter and cable organizers; spare power bank – each unit ≤100 Wh allowed in the cabin; spares must be carried inside a personal item and not placed in checked baggage; prescription medicines in original packaging plus copy of prescription; basic first-aid items, allergy auto-injector if required; sealed duty‑free liquids packed in tamper-evident bags with receipt; a slim travel umbrella and compact change of clothes for delays.

Prohibited inside the cabin: all explosive devices and fireworks; flammable liquids (paints, petrol, lighter refills); compressed gas cartridges and camping gas; corrosive chemicals (bleach, acids), oxidisers and toxic substances; tear gas and self-defence sprays; firearms and realistic replicas. Sharp items with blades longer than 6 cm (measured from pivot) must not be carried in the cabin; small scissors with blades under 6 cm are usually acceptable but may be removed at the discretion of security staff.

Battery rules: lithium-ion batteries up to 100 Wh may travel in a personal item; batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require airline approval and still must travel in the cabin; batteries exceeding 160 Wh are forbidden. Spare lithium batteries and power banks must be individually protected against short-circuit (original packaging, taped terminals, or in separate plastic bags).

Screening tips and packing technique: place electronics with larger screens near the top for easy removal; stow liquids and toiletries in the outer pocket for fast tray placement; keep all valuables, travel documents and medications in a small daypack or personal-item bag carried into the cabin – for a lightweight option with device pockets and quick-access compartments see best rock climbing backpack. Use a compact digital scale to verify weight before departure and seal checked items requiring protection; declare restricted goods at check-in if unsure.

Gate procedures: oversized cabin case, charges and on‑the‑spot options

If gate staff identify an oversized cabin case, accept immediate check-in at the gate: card payment is taken, tagging is issued and processing typically takes under five minutes; expect a boarding‑area fee of €40–€60.

Immediate actions at the gate

• Ask staff to measure and show the sizing frame; if it fails, request the specific option offered (gate check into hold or pay an excess fee).
• Keep passports, medication, electronics and essentials in a personal item carried aboard; these are rarely allowed in a gate-checked bag.
• Request a bag tag and receipt for any paid gate check; this is needed for tracking or compensation claims.
• If time permits, move bulky contents into an under‑seat item or another passenger’s checked bag to avoid the gate fee.
• If boarding is imminent and no resolution is reached, staff may refuse to board the case in the cabin and require it to be checked into the hold.

Fees, timing and cheaper alternatives

• Pre-booked hold baggage via the carrier website or app: typical cost range €8–€35 depending on route and lead time; this is usually the lowest option.
• Airport check-in desk or bag drop: expect €30–€50 if purchased at the counter before gate arrival.
• Gate/boarding-area charges: commonly €40–€60; this is the highest-cost option and applied immediately when the item is oversized at the gate.
• Buying priority or an upgraded allowance before arrival often removes the need to check a bulky case; many carriers allow priority purchases up to ~40 minutes before scheduled departure via app/website.

If trying to avoid fees, measure the case at home (rigid sizing frames measure depth as well as height/width), consolidate clothing into a compressible packing cube, and prepay a checked bag online when possible; otherwise plan for a gate charge and secure valuables in a personal carried item.

Video: