Hand luggage on Ryanair: dimensions, rules and the 20-centimetre trap

Ryanair’s hand luggage policy is divided into two categories, and it is precisely this division that regularly causes confusion at the gate. One small item of hand luggage is included free of charge in every fare, whilst a larger item of hand luggage is only permitted with Priority Boarding or a higher fare.

Ryanair is also stricter than many other airlines when it comes to hand luggage dimensions Airlines: Whilst Lufthansa and other network airlines allow a depth of 23 centimetres at Trolley, Ryanair’s limit is just 20 centimetres. If you’re aware of this difference, you’ll choose the right carry-on case from the outset and avoid costly surprises at the gate.

The facts: dimensions and weight for Ryanair

Ryanair makes a clear distinction between the free small item of luggage and the larger piece of hand luggage, which is subject to a higher fare.

Since August 2025, the dimensions for small luggage have been slightly more generous than before: instead of 40 × 25 × 20 cm, the new dimensions are 40 × 30 × 20 cm. Anyone who hasn’t flown with Ryanair for a while will therefore be basing their plans on outdated figures if they recall the old dimensions.

However, the key factor when choosing a suitcase is the depth of the large carry-on item: 20 centimetres, rather than the 23 centimetres typical of many other Airlines models. It is precisely here that traditional Cabin-Trolleys, which are designed for the general market, fail to meet Ryanair’s size requirements. TITAN tackles this problem with its own 20-cm depth for the UPGRADE S20 and OVERSEAS S20, which is tailored precisely to Ryanair’s specifications rather than just falling just short of them.

The specifications and prices quoted are correct at the time of our research. Airlines occasionally change their baggage policies and fees – please check Ryanair’s current information before booking.

Value, Regular Fare, Plus or Flexi Plus: what does each fare allow?

The most common mistake regarding Ryanair carry-on luggage does not concern the dimensions, but the fare you have booked. A large piece of carry-on luggage is not automatically included in the ticket, but depends directly on which fare you have chosen or which add-on package you have booked.

Anyone booking on the cheapest ‘Value’ fare will therefore initially only be able to travel with the small piece of hand luggage. The overhead-compartment suitcase is only included with the ‘Priority and 2 pieces of hand luggage’ add-on package or one of the higher fare categories. Depending on the route and time of booking, this package costs between 6 and 36 euros per flight and includes not only the large piece of hand luggage but also priority boarding.

Anyone who miscalculates here and turns up at the gate with a ‘ Trolley ’ without the correct booking will have to pay the difference not at the preferential rate, but at the significantly higher gate fee. So, checking your own fare before packing your suitcase not only saves you arguments at the gate, but also saves you money.

The 20-centimetre trap: why many suitcases don’t fit on Ryanair

Most carry-on suitcases on the market are based on the classic ‘ Cabin ’ size of 55 × 40 × 23 cm, as applied by Lufthansa, amongst others. With Ryanair, however, the maximum depth is limited to 20 centimetres. This three-centimetre difference may seem trivial, but at the gate it determines whether the suitcase slips smoothly through the gauge or is classified as excess baggage.

Anyone who regularly uses their current suitcase for different Airlines soon finds themselves in a dilemma: whilst a model with a depth of 23 cm may still have some leeway with Lufthansa or Eurowings, it will invariably fail the sizer box test with Ryanair. The only reliable solution is a suitcase that is designed from the outset to meet the 20-centimetre requirement, rather than just narrowly missing it.

The TITAN UPGRADE S20 and the TITAN OVERSEAS S20 are designed precisely to these dimensions. Both fit exactly within Ryanair’s 55 × 40 × 20 cm limit, thereby removing any uncertainty at the gate check before it even arises. Which of the two models is the better choice depends less on the dimensions than on your personal requirements in terms of weight and protection.

TITAN UPGRADE S20: The Ryanair-compatible test winner

55 × 40 × 20 cm

Designed to meet Ryanair’s specifications exactly

An independent test result confirms that the UPGRADE S20 impresses on more than just its dimensions is confirmed by an independent test result. In the 6/2026 issue of Stiftung Warentest, it was compared against 17 other cabin suitcases and emerged as the test winner with a score of 1.8 (“Good”).

The suitcase achieved top marks particularly in the areas that really matter when travelling. The testers awarded the grade ‘very good’ for packing comfort and for effortless pushing and pulling; in terms of packing comfort, the UPGRADE S20 was in fact the only suitcase in the entire test field to receive this rating. The model also impressed in terms of durability: it received a ‘very good’ rating for build quality, in the endurance test of the wheels and telescopic handle, as well as for the zips and seams.

This is down to a manufacturing process that TITAN has consistently relied on since 2020: all the brand’s suitcases are produced exclusively at its own factory in Germany. For travellers flying with Ryanair, this results in a rare combination: a suitcase that fits exactly within the 55 × 40 × 20 cm dimensions and whose quality has been independently verified, rather than relying solely on the manufacturer’s specifications.

TITAN OVERSEAS S20: Opens quickly at security

TSA Mono-Lock

One fastening instead of two zips

If you don’t want to waste time at airport security, the OVERSEASUPGRADE. Instead of a wrap-around zip, this model features a sturdy frame construction with a TSA Mono-Lock.

A single, sturdy locking mechanism replaces the two separate zips found on traditional suitcases, allowing it to open noticeably faster when the suitcase needs to be opened at security. This difference is particularly noticeable with Ryanair, where there are often long queues at security checks at busy airports.

Measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm, the OVERSEAS S20 also complies exactly with Ryanair’s specifications and is therefore just as suitable for large carry-on luggage as the UPGRADE S20.

What happens if your carry-on luggage is too big or too heavy?

At the Ryanair gate, there is usually a measuring device, known as a ‘sizer’, into which the large piece of hand luggage must fit completely, including wheels, handle and filled outer pockets. If the suitcase exceeds the limit by even a few centimetres, it is considered excess baggage, regardless of whether the difference is due to the empty body of the suitcase or the contents.

The consequence becomes apparent immediately at the gate: the bag has to be checked in there for a fee, with charges ranging from 70 to 75 euros. This amount is significantly higher than the price that would have been charged for pre-booking Priority or checked-in luggage, and it comes at a time when there is hardly any room for negotiation.

If you want to be on the safe side, check the dimensions of your suitcase at home, taking the wheels and handle into account. A suitcase such as the UPGRADE S20 or the OVERSEAS S20, which meets the 20-centimetre depth requirement exactly from the outset, rather than just barely exceeding it, removes this uncertainty from your travel planning right from the start.

Personal items as a packing strategy

In addition to the large piece of hand luggage, Ryanair always allows travellers to take a small piece of luggage measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm, regardless of the fare booked. In practice, this leeway is often underestimated, yet it offers an effective way to work around the 10-kilogramme limit on the large carry-on bag.

As there is officially no weight limit for the small item of luggage – it simply must fit under the seat in front – heavy items such as chargers, books or a camera can be specifically stowed there. The TITAN Beautycase meets these exact dimensions and can also serve as the small piece of hand luggage if required, leaving more space in the larger hand luggage for clothes without risking exceeding the 10-kilogram limit.

So, by deliberately coordinating both pieces of luggage, you’re not only making the most of Ryanair’s rules, but also planning your journey in a more relaxed way from the outset.

Conclusion: The right carry-on bag for Ryanair

When flying with Ryanair, two figures ultimately determine whether things go smoothly at the gate: the fare booked and the 20-centimetre depth of your large cabin bag. If you know both of these and choose your cabin bag accordingly, you can reliably avoid the most expensive pitfall in Ryanair’s baggage system.

Frequently asked questions about hand luggage on Ryanair