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What are the rules for Ryanair?

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.




Of course. Ryanair is famous for its low fares but also for its strict rules, which are crucial to understand to avoid unexpected fees that can often exceed the cost of your ticket.

Here’s a breakdown of the key rules and how to avoid common pitfalls:

Before Your Flight: Booking & Documentation

  • Passport/ID: For international flights (even within the EU), you must have a valid passport. For domestic flights, a government-issued photo ID is required. Name on the booking must exactly match the name on your travel document. Ryanair is very strict about this; even minor spelling errors can incur a hefty correction fee (€/£115 + fare difference).
  • Online Check-In: This is mandatory. You must check in online on the Ryanair website or app.
    • Window: Opens 24 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    • Boarding Pass: You must print your boarding pass or download it to your phone before arriving at the airport. If you need a boarding pass reissued at the airport, it will cost €/£20/25 at the desk or €/£55/60 at the gate.
  • Visas & Travel Permits: It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for your destination. Ryanair will deny boarding if you don’t have the proper documentation.

Baggage Rules (The Most Important & Costly Area)

Ryanair has a strict “Pay for what you need” baggage system.

  1. Small Personal Item (Included in all fares):
    • Dimensions:

People Also Ask

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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If you pay for two cabin bags and one is larger than the 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 inches) allowance, your bag will be refused at the boarding gate. In some cases your bag will be placed in the cargo hold and you will be charged a 50 euro oversized bag fee.

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Carry-On Allowance: 1 Carry-On + 1 Small Bag 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)

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Domestic carry-on policies. A good rule of thumb is that if your carry-on bag fits under the seat in front of you, it's considered a personal item. This includes small backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags, etc. Larger bags, including suitcases, must fit in the overhead bin compartment.

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You can wear a mask if you choose, but they're no longer required on domestic flights. If you're flying internationally, whether a mask is required depends on the arrival country's mask requirements.

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Ryanair's low fares are a result of clever cost-cutting tactics, such as eliminating in-flight amenities, using cheaper secondary airports, and charging for extras like drinks and snacks.

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You can take whatever food or soft drinks you like on a Ryanair plane, as long as it meets hand-luggage dimension and weight restrictions. Hot drinks are not allowed for safety reasons, and passengers cannot consume their own alcohol during the flight.

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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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Non-priority customers who have not added a bag to their booking can still purchase a 10kg Check-in bag at the airport bag drop desk for €/£ 35.99. Non-priority customers who bring their 10kg Check-in bag to the boarding gate may check it in against payment of a fee of €/£ 46.00.

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One major source of the airline's poor reputation is its ticketing policies. Ryanair often charges large, unexpected fees for changing or cancelling flights, and even for printing boarding passes. They also have very strict policies on luggage allowance and size, which can be confusing or expensive to manage.

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And in recent days, a new rumour has emerged that Ryanair could start charging for the use of the bathroom on the plane. In a video published on TikTok, from the Spanish site of the airline posed the question regarding fees for using the bathroom and captioned: It could be yes and it could be not.

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The ultimate survival guide for flying Ryanair
  1. Study your arrival airport. ...
  2. Purchase checked baggage in advance. ...
  3. Know the carry-on baggage rules. ...
  4. Pay for your extras in advance. ...
  5. Consider a higher fare class. ...
  6. Buy a Family Plus fare if flying with kids. ...
  7. Correct booking errors within 48 hours. ...
  8. Skip Ryanair extras.


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Ryanair doesn't actually give you the option to cancel flights, but you can change your bookings.¹ This means that if you can't travel at all and no longer want the flight, all you need to do to cancel is not show up at the airport. You don't need to notify Ryanair and you won't be charged a penalty.

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Generally, you're allowed one carry on and one personal item, such as a purse, suit bag, briefcase. As long as your backpacks conform to the airline size specifications for hand luggage, it's not a problem that both your carry-ons are backpacks.

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Most airlines allow passengers to bring on both a carry-on and a personal item like a backpack, laptop bag, purse, briefcase, shopping bag, etc. The general rule of thumb is that your personal item is smaller in dimension than your carry-on bag and it can fit underneath the seat in front of you.

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A personal item is any type of luggage that fits underneath the plane seat in front of you. Most domestic airlines in the United States require a personal item to be 18” x 14” x 8” or smaller in size. Personal items can include a purse, briefcase, small backpack, laptop bag, weekender or small duffel bag.

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All our fares include one small personal bag which can be brought on board, such as a handbag or laptop bag (40x20x25cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you.

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