Are Ryanair strict with carry on?

Ryanair is strict regarding carry-on luggage. If your bags exceed the airline's size restrictions, they will be placed in the airport's cargo hold, and you will be charged the excess baggage fee at check-in.



Ryanair is notoriously one of the strictest airlines in the world regarding carry-on baggage. In 2026, every passenger's ticket includes only one "small personal bag" (40 x 30 x 20 cm), which must fit completely under the seat in front of you. If you attempt to bring a standard rolling suitcase without having purchased the "Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" upgrade, you will be stopped at the gate. Gate agents are equipped with "baggage sizers" and are trained to check any bag that looks even slightly oversized. If your bag does not fit into the sizer without being forced, you will be charged a "gate-check fee" of approximately €46 to €70, and your bag will be placed in the hold. Furthermore, they are strict about weight; while the personal bag has no weight limit, the "large" 10kg cabin bag must not exceed its weight limit. The 2026 advice for Ryanair is simple: never "guess" your bag size. Use a soft-sided bag that can compress, and always pre-pay for your luggage online, as "gate fees" are nearly double the price of pre-booked baggage.

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Famously quipped “the Ryanair size”, 40 x 20 x 25 cm (16 x 8 x 10 in) is the maximum dimensions of a cabin bag (such as a laptop bag or handbag) that ultra-cheap airline Ryanair would allow its passengers to carry into its cabin free of charge under its strict baggage allowance policy.

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Carry-on bags are limited to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including wheels and handles. All three measurements shouldn't add up to more than 45 inches. For personal items, Alaska offers examples of a purse, laptop or briefcase.

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Oversized Carry-Ons Need to Be Checked-in
If your carry-on is oversized (and doesn't physically fit inside the overhead compartments) or you encounter a strict airline employee, they will ask you to check it in at the gate.

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How strict are the airlines about luggage dimensions? Carryon dimensions are limited to the size of the overhead bin. In those cases dimensions are strict. Anything too big gets gate checked.

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Ryanair allows passengers to pack toiletries and make up into their hand luggage provided all liquids are in containers of no more than 100 ml. In addition, all liquids must be within one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag with dimensions of no more than 20 cm x 20 cm.

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The following are strictly prohibited on board: Guns, firearms, or similar weapons; Pointed/edged weapons and sharp objects; Blunt instruments (that is any blunt instrument capable of causing injury, this includes some sporting equipment such as tennis rackets, hurleys, and baseball bats);

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Is toothpaste considered a liquid by the TSA? Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag.

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You must adhere strictly to the baggage allowance on your booking. If your small bag or 10kg cabin bag does not fit in the baggage sizers, which are placed at every boarding gate, we will tag your bag and place it in the aircraft hold subject to payment of a gate bag fee.

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All carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you and adhere to the following requirements: Maximum Dimensions of Carry-on: 22 in x 16 in x 8 in/55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm. Maximum Weight of Carry-on: 22 lbs (10 kg) Maximum Dimensions of Small Bag: 14 x 8 x 8 in/35 x 20 x 20 cm.

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A bumbag/fanny pack is an accessory, like a backpack or a lady's purse/handbag, and you should be prepared for it to be treated as such. That said, Mrs DC8 always wears a bumbag when travelling and it has never been an issue on any airline including the likes of Ryanair and Easyjet.

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If you would like to take a larger cabin bag size with you when flying Ryanair, you will need to pay additional fees. This option entitles you to take a wheeled case onboard, weighing up to 10kg and measuring maximum 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, wheels and handles included, as well as an additional small personal bag.

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You are allowed a single personal item, like a backpack, however, your Ryanair cabin bag can't be larger than 25 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm. Customers with Priority tickets can bring one personal item and one piece of carry-on luggage that doesn't weigh more than 10 kilograms and isn't larger than 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm.

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For full-size cabin bags, I have never seen Ryanair weigh a bag to check it is under 10kg – though if it looks much bigger, you may be asked you to place it in a measuring stand to check. If you are asked to fit it into the measuring stand and you can't squeeze it in, you will have to pay to check it in.

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Almost any sharp object you can imagine will not be allowed on-board a plane in your hand luggage. This includes obvious items like knives, saws, swords, and machetes, but also small items with blades like pairs of scissors that are 4 or longer in size.

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Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

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Safety Razors: Because the razor blades are so easy to remove, safety razors are not permitted in your carry-on luggage with the blade. They're fine to pack in your carry-on without the blade. The blades must be stored in your checked luggage. The same applies for straight razors.

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If your carry-on is too big, you will either have to pay penalty fees or check your luggage. Checking your luggage means that your carry-on won't be traveling with you but will instead be sent to the airplane cargo, and you will be able to claim it once the plane lands.

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