Last updated: July 12, 2026
Ryanair’s bag rules cause more confusion — and more gate-side fees — than any other airline. This guide explains the Ryanair cabin bag size for 2026 in plain English: exactly what is free, what Priority adds, what it all costs, and how to make sure your bag fits so you never pay a gate fee.
Quick answer
- Free on every fare: one small bag up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm that fits under the seat in front.
- Priority & 2 Cabin Bags adds a 10 kg bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm in the overhead locker.
- Gate fee: turn up with a bag that is too big, or a wheelie bag without Priority, and it costs £70–£75.
- Always add Priority online — it is far cheaper than paying at the airport.
Ryanair cabin bag size 2026: the basics
There are two bag options on Ryanair, and the difference between them is the single most important thing to understand before you book:
| Bag | Size | Weight | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bag (under seat) | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | — | Free on all fares |
| 10 kg cabin bag (locker) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 10 kg | Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (extra) |
Dimensions include wheels and handles. Allowances are the current 2026 rules and can change — always check Ryanair before you fly.
The free small cabin bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm)
Every Ryanair passenger, on every fare, can bring one small bag up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm free of charge. It must fit under the seat in front of you. Ryanair recently increased this free allowance from 40 x 25 x 20 cm to 40 x 30 x 20 cm to align with the new EU cabin baggage standard, so a slightly bigger bag now travels free. A small backpack or holdall within those dimensions is the cheapest way to fly Ryanair.
Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (the 10 kg bag)
If you want to bring a second, larger bag in the overhead locker, you need Priority & 2 Cabin Bags. This adds a 10 kg cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm on top of your free small bag, and lets you board early. Priority is a paid add-on — typically a low double-digit amount online, varying by route and how busy the flight is.
Ryanair cabin bag fees: what you’ll pay
This is where most passengers get caught out. If you arrive at the gate with a wheelie bag but did not pay for Priority, or your bag is too big for the sizer, Ryanair charges a gate bag fee of around £70–£75 — almost always more than the cost of buying the allowance when you book.
| Situation | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Free small bag (within size) | £0 |
| Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (online) | Low double digits, varies by route |
| Oversized or non-priority bag at the gate | £70–£75 |
Never gamble at the gate. Buying Priority or a bag at the airport costs far more than online — and may sell out, leaving you to check the bag at the highest price.
What actually fits in a Ryanair cabin bag
The free 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag holds more than it looks — roughly enough for a long weekend if you pack well: a few rolled outfits, toiletries within the liquid rules, a laptop or tablet, and a charger. The 10 kg Priority bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) comfortably covers a week away. Pack to a list rather than “just in case” extras with our Packing List Generator.
Ryanair vs easyJet cabin bag
If you are choosing between airlines, easyJet is more generous on the free bag: its under-seat allowance is 45 x 36 x 20 cm (up to 15 kg) versus Ryanair’s 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Ryanair’s fares are often cheaper to start, but the cost of adding a bigger bag can close the gap. See our full hand luggage size comparison for Ryanair, easyJet, BA and Jet2.
How to avoid Ryanair bag fees
- Measure your bag with wheels and handles against 40 x 30 x 20 cm before you leave home.
- Buy a bag sized exactly to the limit — many “Ryanair-approved” 40 x 20 x 25 cm bags are sold specifically to fit under the seat.
- Add Priority online if you need the 10 kg bag — never at the gate.
- Weigh the 10 kg bag at home — the limit is enforced.
- Plan your airport timing so you are not rushed into a costly mistake — our Airport Arrival Time Calculator helps.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ryanair’s cabin bag size in 2026?
The free small bag is up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm and fits under the seat. With Priority & 2 Cabin Bags you can also bring a 10 kg bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm in the overhead locker.
Is the Ryanair cabin bag free?
The small 40 x 30 x 20 cm under-seat bag is free on every fare. The larger 10 kg cabin bag is not free — it requires Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.
What size is the free Ryanair bag?
40 x 30 x 20 cm, including wheels and handles. It must fit under the seat in front of you.
How much is the Ryanair gate bag fee?
Around £70–£75 if you arrive with a bag that is too big or a wheelie bag without Priority. It is almost always cheaper to add the allowance when you book.
What is Priority & 2 Cabin Bags?
A paid add-on that lets you bring a 10 kg, 55 x 40 x 20 cm cabin bag in the locker plus your free small bag, and board early.
Does the Ryanair cabin bag have a weight limit?
The free small bag is judged on size, not a stated weight. The Priority cabin bag has a 10 kg limit, which is enforced.
Is the Ryanair bag measured with wheels and handles?
Yes. The stated dimensions include wheels and handles, and the gate sizer is built to those exact measurements.
Can I take two bags on Ryanair?
Only if you buy Priority & 2 Cabin Bags. Otherwise you are limited to the single free 40 x 30 x 20 cm under-seat bag.
Did Ryanair increase its cabin bag size?
Yes. Ryanair increased the free small bag from 40 x 25 x 20 cm to 40 x 30 x 20 cm to align with the new EU cabin baggage standard.
What fits in a Ryanair cabin bag?
The free bag holds roughly a long weekend’s worth of clothes, toiletries and a laptop if packed well. The 10 kg Priority bag covers about a week away.
Is Ryanair or easyJet’s cabin bag bigger?
easyJet’s free under-seat bag (45 x 36 x 20 cm) is bigger than Ryanair’s (40 x 30 x 20 cm). See our full airline comparison for the larger bags.
Can I buy Priority at the gate?
Sometimes, if it has not sold out, but it costs more than online and may not be available, leaving you with a gate bag fee.
Sources
Based on Ryanair’s published 2026 bag policy and fees, including the Ryanair fees page. Checked June 2026 — sizes and fees change, so confirm with Ryanair before booking.
Reviewed by Muhammad Umar Khan
Founder and editor of TripBuffer. Reviewed against official airport, airline and transport-provider information. For our research standards, see the Editorial Policy.