If you’re planning a summer of weekend city breaks or tropical beach jaunts, without the added expense of checked luggage, chances are you’re a dab hand at maximising your hand luggage. But with airline rules stricter than ever, you don’t want to be stung by last minute charges at the gate.
Luckily, our travel experts have made travelling easy with reviews of the best carry-on luggage and the best check-in suitcases for far-flung trips – including budget airline Ryanair.
While British Airways remains generous, ultra-low-cost carrier Ryanair is notoriously strict. Its standard allowance is limited to one small personal item that must not exceed 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, and it should fit under the seat in front of you. If you’re travelling with a cabin bag to go in the overhead lockers, it must be 55cm x 40cm x 20cm or less. With reports that ground staff are incentivised to spot oversized bags, choosing compliant luggage is vital.
Fortunately, we’ve found the perfection solutions. These underseat bags and cabin suitcase are approved by our travel experts, and have secured spots in our review of the best cabin bags. One only costs just £12.
Read more: The best luggage brands for your next holiday
Whether you’re jetting off on a sunny city break or a balmy beach holiday, find out how to buy the bags below, plus everything you need to know about Ryanair’s hand luggage restrictions.
How strict is Ryanair with hand luggage?
While easyJet also has tricky luggage allowance, Ryanair has a notoriously strict policy. This is mostly down to smaller cabin areas, leaving limited space for excess bags. Its new dimensions match Wizz Air, which also charges extra if your bag exceeds the requirements.
More often than not, attendants will measure your bag in a frame before boarding to ensure it complies with their dimensions. If you fail to meet the restrictions or bring a second bag, your bag will be tagged and placed in the aircraft hold, subject to a fee of anywhere between £40-£60.
What are the Ryanair hand luggage dimensions?
Ryanair currently allows you to carry on board a small cabin bag measuring 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, and this must fit under the seat in front of you.
What hand luggage can you take on Ryanair?
If you need extra hand baggage allowance, you can buy a priority ticket that lets you carry two cabin bags. This includes a small personal bag (40cm x 30cm x 20cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you, and a 10kg bag (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) to be stored in the overhead locker.
Best Ryanair hand luggage bags
Cabin Max equator X 20l under-seat cabin bag
Previously dubbed the best under-seat bag in our tests of the best carry-on luggage, the equator X measures 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, which means that it just about sits within Ryanair’s strict hand luggage restrictions. At only £30, it’s brilliant value for money. Lightweight to carry, the bag offers ample storage.
“On the back, there is a padded laptop sleeve and a hidden pocket for storing passports and phones”, said our tester. “Inside, there are two compartments, complete with compression belts”, they added. It fits plenty of belongings inside, despite its compact dimensions.
Primark quilted under-seat cabin bag
“If you only travel occasionally and don’t want to spend much on hand luggage, this bag should do the job nicely,” says travel expert Alessia Armenise. “It fits a good amount of belongings – I packed two full summer outfits, a pair of flats, a medium-sized washbag, chargers, socks, and other accessories.”
While not the best choice for carrying a laptop (it doesn’t have a dedicated laptop pocket), if you need something for short-haul city breaks, this is very hard to beat for the price. It’s worth noting that “it’s also not the most comfortable to carry, as it doesn’t have a shoulder strap, only hand straps.”
M&S Oslo four wheel hard shell cabin suitcase
Finding a cabin bag that fits within Ryanair’s restrictions can be a difficult task, but this cabin suitcase from M&S fits perfectly and was the best budget-friendly cabin bag our reviewer tested.
“Its zips are reinforced and glide fairly smoothly,” noted Alessia Armenise. “The suitcase holds a good amount of clothes. Inside, both sides of the case can be zipped up, which creates two compartments.” She found the inner pockets useful, plus at 55cm x 36cm x 20cm, it comfortably fits within Ryanair’s cabin bag restrictions.
For more travel recommendations, browse our roundup of the best hand luggage bags
