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Original poster

Ryan Air baggage allowance

95 replies

userxx · 04/02/2023 10:05

I've not flown with Ryan Air for a long time and now realise you cant take the usual cabin bag without paying extra.

Has anyone travelled with just the smaller bag 40 x 20 x 25 and could you squeeze in enough for 3 nights away?

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 04/02/2023 11:54

Morph22010 · 04/02/2023 10:41

I’m wondering if the people saying it’s easy actually realise how small the bag you are allowed to take free is now, not sure when it changed but I didn’t realise it had changed till my mum and brother went in December, my mums bag thst fit the dimensions was tiny, no way could have fit thr stuff people are saying they’ve fit into hand luggage.

Yup, well aware. It probably depends how fashion conscious/make up- y you are. I'm neither, have no interest whatsoever in clothes, as long as I don't smell and aren't scruffy, so it's easy. I had a vest top, tshirt, long sleeve tshirt, jacket on, tights and jeans and boots. Packed a thin dress and cardy. Wore dress, cardy, tights, boots when went out in evening, and other stuff, alternating vest top and tshirt in day. Packed underwear and pjs.

gogohmm · 04/02/2023 11:57

Yes but I'm used to travelling very light. I take underwear, a couple of dresses, bikini and a microfibre towel plus compact toiletries and very small amount of makeup. We usually travel by motorcycle so you never have much room, even for a 2 week trip I don't take much more, I just wash on route

Abraxan · 04/02/2023 11:58

Morph22010 · 04/02/2023 10:41

I’m wondering if the people saying it’s easy actually realise how small the bag you are allowed to take free is now, not sure when it changed but I didn’t realise it had changed till my mum and brother went in December, my mums bag thst fit the dimensions was tiny, no way could have fit thr stuff people are saying they’ve fit into hand luggage.

It changed in 2018.

Abraxan · 04/02/2023 11:59

I think some posters in here are confused between the carry on case size and the “ permitted for all hand bag “ size - that is very tiny.

It's 40cm x 20cm x 25cm iirr.
But if you maximise the dimensions as much as possible you can definitely manage for a few nights away.
You just have to be flexible and only take what you actually need.

dontknowwhatisbest · 04/02/2023 12:05

If you book priority you can still take the 10kg bag as well as the personal bag. Obviously it's more expensive but might be worth it?

I bought Cabin Max bags from amazon - one is exactly the right size for the 10kg case and the other is a rucksack that is exactly the right dimensions for under the seat. I think it could be doable to use just the rucksack for a short trip to a warm country.

Morph22010 · 04/02/2023 12:17

honeypancake · 04/02/2023 11:51

3-4 days is doable of course. A week, less so, especially if there won't be a washing machine in your destination place. I saw quite large backpacks on Ryanair, it has been a long time anyone gets asked to fit in their backpack into a measure box at the gate, so yes, you can take a biggish backpack. Plus a small cross body bag, no one says anything. It gets heavy if you need to add an extra pair of shoes (what if it rains etc), or a laptop

How do you know that the people you saw haven’t paid the extra to take on the standard size cabin bag?

honeypancake · 04/02/2023 12:26

Because they are not in a priority lane, have only one big backpack etc plus have travelled like that myself once and with people who did just that - haven't paid. The backpack was bigger than a standard one. Those who pay for cabin luggage take a small suitcase plus another bag.

TheChosenTwo · 04/02/2023 12:33

Wow I never thought of myself as an over packer until I read this thread 😂 those dimensions are tiny, I’d not hesitate to pay for the regular sized cabin baggage for a 3 night trip away. Or even an overnight to be honest!

Africa2go · 04/02/2023 12:46

it has been a long time anyone gets asked to fit in their backpack into a measure box at the gate, so yes, you can take a biggish backpack

Absolutely not true, we were on a flight from Portugal last summer and every single passenger was asked to put their hand luggage in the measure box at the gate. I would say 90% of passengers were forced to pay an additional charge for their bags being bigger than the allowable size. There are very few structured suitcases that are small enough to fit (it was usually the wheels or handle that meant it didn't fit in the measure box and the RA staff were insistent that the WHOLE case, including wheels / handles etc, slotted into the measure box).

WarningToTheCurious · 04/02/2023 12:53

I was also going to recommend the Cabin Max bags - we have a RA size and a couple of EasyJet sized ones.

cabinmax.com/products/metz-stowaway-20l-cabin-backpack-flies-free-on-ryanair

You can fit 3 days worth of clothes in there, and I can squeeze in a pair of squished down Converse for spare shoes. I only take essential toiletries and carry my book on board.

Haven’t flown RA for a while (DH does occasionally) but I have seen bag sizes being checked a few times on EasyJet - and people getting charged at the gate.

Have also had to squeeze a small cross body bag into my main cabin bag before now, so don’t assume that you can get away with that.

SagittariusDwarf · 04/02/2023 13:03

Yes, totally fine. I've done any number of city breaks with just a rather small backpack 🎒 that fits Ryanair requirements including weight and dimensions. Even managed to cram my work laptop in too on one such trip last summer. I am a big fan of travelling light.

WithIcePlease · 04/02/2023 13:18

It makes EasyJet free bag of 45x36x20 look generous 😂
I did 4 nights in Gibraltar with that without too much difficulty

Puffintop · 04/02/2023 13:44

I use a nylon weekend bag from parfois and have managed 3 days with it.
I tend to wear the bulky pieces flying and pack items I can wear a couple of times like a skirt with a different top.
Bag fits under the seat comfortably.

shinynewapple22 · 04/02/2023 15:07

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles 🤣

I am seriously in awe of everyone who manages this - I can't even manage to pack into a normal size cabin bag!

PriamFarrl · 04/02/2023 16:02

I’ve just seen this on my Facebook, op.

Ryan Air baggage allowance
Cluckycluck · 04/02/2023 17:15

Another vote for getting one of the Cabinmax backpacks. It's actually really surprising how much you can get in there.

Decorhate · 04/02/2023 17:24

I regularly manage 3 nights with the smallest bag but we are usually just visiting family & maybe only going out to one fairly casual restaurant. Currently using a duffel bag that complies that was originally a changing bag (that baby is 25 now) so am going to check out the recommendations.

How about the larger Ryanair cabin bag, anyone got a good recce for one of those?

watsthecraic · 04/02/2023 17:31

Yip I do it regularly. I have a backpack that fits the guide and I have a small crossbody bag for my purse and phone and passport that goes in the front pocket and I use as a handbag when I'm away.

Wear heaviest clothes travelling and roll and squish the rest.

I have a teeny travel toothbrush and just buy toothpaste and deodorant when I get there.

mast0650 · 04/02/2023 17:39

I've done 4 nights away with the Easyjet free cabin size which is 45 x 36 x 20 cm. So much smaller than the old cabin bag size but still noticeably bigger than Ryan Air. I thought it would be a challenge but it was actually easier than I thought. I didn't even (quite) wear everything I brought, brought all my toiletries (though I needed to top up on sunscreen) and even two towels (the camping type). I think I could do it for the RA size but it would be pushing it and at some point might decide just to pay for hte extra bag! I think you'd need to only bring one warm outer layer, which you would wear. Only one jeans or similar, which you would also wear. Ditto heavier shoes (just pack flip flops or light sandals). It's surprising how many clothes you can squeeze in if they are only lightweight. Basically depends on whether you are going somewhere fairly warm, don't mind not being particularly smart, don't use a wide range of toiletries/make-up.

Original poster
userxx · 04/02/2023 17:45

I'll look at all the suggested bags, so thanks for that. I don't want to pay extra for a bigger allowance as it's a spur of the moment get away and I want to try and keep it cheap!

OP posts:
WarningToTheCurious · 04/02/2023 17:45

We’ve done 2 weeks away with the EasyJet free cabin bags, with a couple of visits to a laundromat. I shove an empty day pack into my bag too, plus have all the extras like medication and print outs of travel docs.

Dreamscomingtrue · 04/02/2023 17:46

I’ve travelled for 4-5 days with just this size bag. Big enough for clothes & underwear, not shoes. I take miniature toiletries, put them in a duty free bag with my paperback & iPad. I got my bag from Wilkinsons, but don’t think that it’s in stock at the moment.

Ryan Air baggage allowance
Tigertigertigertiger · 04/02/2023 17:48

Yup many times.
I also took a neck pillow stuffed with t shirts and knickers on longer trips

katieak · 04/02/2023 17:57

Yes went to Budapest for 3 nights in winter. Just pack sensibly so you can mix and match. I took 3 dresses, jeans and a jumper and a t shirt and cardigan. As well as mini toiletries. Just the one pair of shoes and one coat which I wore to travel in.

Aphidsandhoneybees · 04/02/2023 17:57

I’ve done a 2 nights trip. You have to be very meticulous / strict with what you pack and be prepared to wear things twice. And unlikely that you’d fit a pair of shoes in so the ones you’re wearing have to also go with what you’ve packed.