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Original poster

Ryan air small bag

32 replies

tooscaredandtired · 02/04/2025 15:39

I’m travelling next week, the small hand luggage bag size is really small - 40x25x20

i have a back pack I use for work but it’s 40x40 - it isn’t that big and definitely fits under seat.

ryan air charge £75 each way if your bag is too big. I’m worried about taking it but also can’t believe it wil be big enough to draw attention.

Does anyone know how strict they are? I have a suitcase going in the hold so this is just for my laptop and hand luggage for the plan journey

OP posts:
Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 15:42

You need to be able to fit it in a box that meets the size requirements, so if it's a soft backpack that's not full and you can squash it in, you'll be fine

LisaVanderpump1 · 02/04/2025 15:43

It's risky. This is one of the ways that low fare airlines like Ryanair make money. I've travelled with people whose bag was a smidge too big, and they were made to pay to take it on. Like the previous poster says, it depends how full and squishable it is.

Personally, I'd get an approved size bag.

Oh, and just to add - you won't be allowed to take an additional handbag too. Your passport, phone etc. will all need to fit into that one piece of hand luggage.

Original poster
tooscaredandtired · 02/04/2025 17:58

Thanks for the feedback, it is a squishy bag that I’m certain would fit. I planned to take the squishy Uniqlo’s cross body as well for passport and phone so I can stuff it inside before boarding. Still not sure what to do but appreciate the answers! Thank you

OP posts:
teacoffeeorpassthegin · 02/04/2025 17:59

I’d just buy a £20 bag from Amazon which is the right spec. But I am a worrier!!

CurlyhairedAssassin · 02/04/2025 18:02

LisaVanderpump1 · 02/04/2025 15:43

It's risky. This is one of the ways that low fare airlines like Ryanair make money. I've travelled with people whose bag was a smidge too big, and they were made to pay to take it on. Like the previous poster says, it depends how full and squishable it is.

Personally, I'd get an approved size bag.

Oh, and just to add - you won't be allowed to take an additional handbag too. Your passport, phone etc. will all need to fit into that one piece of hand luggage.

Edited

When did that start? I've always thought that those low cost airlines allow a small hand luggage case plus a handbag. That's what I've usually done in the past, no-one wants to be rooting through a small suitcase in the overhead locker for all their personal belongings for the flight eg glasses, medication, book, bottle of water etc.

Are you saying they've stopped this now?

Decorhate · 02/04/2025 18:03

Unless your laptop is very small I'd be surprised if it fits in the under seat sized bag. I took mine recently but paid for a cabin sized suitcase.

A bigger bag would only work if you don't fill it and can squish it down to the right size.

Movinghouseatlast · 02/04/2025 18:05

CurlyhairedAssassin · 02/04/2025 18:02

When did that start? I've always thought that those low cost airlines allow a small hand luggage case plus a handbag. That's what I've usually done in the past, no-one wants to be rooting through a small suitcase in the overhead locker for all their personal belongings for the flight eg glasses, medication, book, bottle of water etc.

Are you saying they've stopped this now?

Show quote history

They have different rules according to what ticket you buy. You have to check on your ticket what's included. But if it says one bag that fits under your seat it means just one bag. I have seen many people having to pay extra at the boarding gate.

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 18:06

CurlyhairedAssassin · 02/04/2025 18:02

When did that start? I've always thought that those low cost airlines allow a small hand luggage case plus a handbag. That's what I've usually done in the past, no-one wants to be rooting through a small suitcase in the overhead locker for all their personal belongings for the flight eg glasses, medication, book, bottle of water etc.

Are you saying they've stopped this now?

Show quote history

You pay extra for the small suitcase. The underseat bag is the only one included as standard. It's big enough that you can pack for a weekend away without the case.

Movinghouseatlast · 02/04/2025 18:07

tooscaredandtired · 02/04/2025 17:58

Thanks for the feedback, it is a squishy bag that I’m certain would fit. I planned to take the squishy Uniqlo’s cross body as well for passport and phone so I can stuff it inside before boarding. Still not sure what to do but appreciate the answers! Thank you

No, you can't take another bag unless it fits in the other bag. It's just one bag not a bag plus a handbag.

LisaVanderpump1 · 02/04/2025 18:11

CurlyhairedAssassin · 02/04/2025 18:02

When did that start? I've always thought that those low cost airlines allow a small hand luggage case plus a handbag. That's what I've usually done in the past, no-one wants to be rooting through a small suitcase in the overhead locker for all their personal belongings for the flight eg glasses, medication, book, bottle of water etc.

Are you saying they've stopped this now?

Show quote history

It depends which airline you're flying with, but Easyjet and Ryanair only allow one small bag unless you pay for a second piece of hand luggage and have done for years. So you can't take a small bag + handbag, as that would be two pieces of hand luggage. I've hidden one of those Uniqlo crossbody bags under a jumper before and got away with it, but some of the gate desk staff are very officious and will insist that you only have one small bag and any handbag must be put into your other bag before boarding.

Jet2 are more generous though. You get 2 bags with them as standard.

AlphaApple · 02/04/2025 18:43

Goiny completely against the grain here, I travelled RyanAir from Dublin and they didn’t even look at my bag allowance. I had booked a small bag but had a biggish bag plus a large handbag plus a massive duty free shopping bag. I have no idea why I got away with it, I think it was because I had completely forgotten that I hadn’t actually paid for a bag so looked totally confident when I sailed through…

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 02/04/2025 19:03

Went to Marrakesh with Ryanair with friends. Bags didnt even get looked at.(I had tge uniqlo under jacket, under seat bag. However one of the party had been made to pay extra for a rucksack just over the limit, last year with them.
I saw today on Temu (didn’t buy) an empty neck pillow that you can fill with clothes. Ok on the way out, but don’t fancy sleeping on a bag of mucky socks and knickers.

Seaitoverthere · 02/04/2025 19:46

There was a scene at airport when we flew Ryanair last weekend as a few bags were too big and one couple weren’t happy and things got a bit heated.

TheChosenTwo · 02/04/2025 19:52

Dd has often travelled with the cheapest ticket she can buy, usually it’s a tiny free bag and no additional handbag. She’s usually taken the Uniqlo cross body bag under her jumper with the flight bits, AirPods, phone, passport and small water bottle. She keeps it on during the flight anyway so not technically taking up extra luggage space.
I’m travelling as a large group somewhere soon and the lead booker just went with the free option of the tiniest bag, I’m a bit flummoxed because I usually check a bag in or if just for a weekend at least upgrade the carry on size! I might be using dds technique 😂

ladymammalade · 02/04/2025 19:54

As long as it will squash into the bag testing thing it’ll be fine, they do check but it’s about fitting the space rather than measurements.

MyBusyBee · 02/04/2025 19:57

We ordered these changed our travel experience

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0CGVCYN9K?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

ThewrathofBethDutton · 02/04/2025 19:59

The one & only time I flew with that shower of shite a person walked the line of passengers waiting to get on picking out bags and telling people they have to pay before they even got near boarding.

Once on board they opened every overhead bin, dragged out bags, shouting “who’s is this?” then when the owner raised a hand, the bag was handed to them with a “under the seat” barked at them, bin slammed shut and onto the next.

I will never, I repeat NEVER EVER fly with them again.

The seat was filthy, I had to scrape crusted food/chocolate off my seat before I could sit down, couldnt see out of the window due to the smeared…. Something all over it, the back of the seat in front had some class of … something smeared all over it and the table was covered in spilt dried juice with crumbs adhered to it.

Absolutely dire.
Good Luck OP.

Merrilydancing · 02/04/2025 20:00

We also got similar to @MyBusyBee and worth it as you get a lot in the bag and you are not stressing about potentially getting a surcharge.

SwedishEdith · 02/04/2025 20:01

Decathlon sell one to the exact dimensions for about £6. People definitely travel with bigger rucksacks but I'm a scaredy cat about any potential drama so don't risk it. The Decathlon bag fits quite a lot though. Did see someone get stopped last year but she had a wheelie case plus other bags and tried the "we've never been stopped before" schtick. Made no difference.

RoundRedRobin · 02/04/2025 20:02

We’ve ordered from Amazon, bags that are the exact measurements you need, they were only £10 so worth it for peace of mind.

RoundRedRobin · 02/04/2025 20:05

Oh, and B&M sell them too

Justasmallgless · 02/04/2025 20:08

The rucksack bags linked by PP are well worth it.
I’ve done 3 trips with Ryanair this year and have managed for a weekend. It’s amazing what you can fit in if you need to!
Toiletries are a pain but I’ve started buying abroad after checking what is in the accommodation first

vandelle · 02/04/2025 20:08

Just make sure the bags you buy are Ryanair size, some are Easyjet size which is bigger. As my sister found to her cost!