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Travel · 8 MIN READ · MAR 25, 2026

Low-Cost Airline Hand Luggage Sizes in Europe (2026) (Part 1)

Compare the latest 2026 hand luggage sizes for Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling, Transavia and more. Avoid baggage fees with this complete guide.

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Nothing ruins the excitement of a cheap flight faster than hearing, “Your bag is too large.”

Across Europe, low-cost airlines advertise fares that can be unbelievably cheap—sometimes less than €20—but they make a significant portion of their revenue from optional extras. Cabin baggage is one of the biggest sources of additional fees. A backpack that fits perfectly on one airline may cost €50 or more in extra charges on another.

Adding to the confusion, many airlines use different measurements, weight limits, and fare bundles. Some allow only a small backpack for free, while others include a full cabin suitcase with every ticket. Rules also change periodically, meaning advice from even a year ago may no longer be accurate.

This guide compares the latest hand luggage allowances for Europe’s most popular low-cost airlines, explains the difference between a personal item and a cabin bag, highlights which airlines are the strictest, and shares practical tips to help you avoid unnecessary baggage fees.

Note: The information below reflects airline policies published for 2026. Always double-check your booking confirmation before you fly, as airlines may update baggage rules or introduce route-specific exceptions.

Table of Contents

Understanding Hand Luggage Rules

Before comparing airlines, it’s important to understand the two terms that often cause confusion.

Personal Item

A personal item is the smaller bag included with the cheapest fare on most European budget airlines.

Typical examples include:

  • Small backpack
  • Laptop bag
  • Handbag
  • Tote bag
  • Small camera bag

The bag must fit underneath the seat in front of you.

Because it stays under the seat rather than in the overhead lockers, airlines restrict its dimensions quite strictly.

Cabin Bag

A cabin bag (sometimes called a cabin suitcase or trolley) goes in the overhead compartment.

Many low-cost airlines no longer include this with their cheapest ticket.

Instead, passengers must purchase:

  • Priority Boarding
  • Cabin Bag Option
  • Flex Fare
  • Bundle Package

depending on the airline.

Why Are Airlines So Strict?

Budget airlines keep ticket prices low by charging separately for optional services.

Checked baggage isn’t the only extra.

Passengers may also pay for:

  • Cabin trolley
  • Seat selection
  • Priority boarding
  • Fast Track security
  • Airport check-in
  • Printed boarding passes

Because overhead locker space is limited, airlines carefully control how many cabin suitcases are brought onboard.

Quick Comparison Table (2026)

Airline Free Personal Item Cabin Bag Included? Cabin Weight
Ryanair 40 × 20 × 25 cm No (Priority required) 10 kg
easyJet 45 × 36 × 20 cm Large cabin bag with selected fares or add-on 15 kg*
Wizz Air 40 × 30 × 20 cm No (WIZZ Priority) 10 kg
Vueling 40 × 30 × 20 cm Depends on fare 10 kg
Transavia 40 × 30 × 20 cm No (Add-on or Smart/Max fare required) 10 kg

* easyJet specifies a maximum weight of 15 kg per bag, provided you can lift it into the overhead locker without assistance.

Ryanair

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Ryanair has one of Europe’s strictest baggage policies.

Its cheapest fare includes only a small personal item.

Free Allowance

40 × 20 × 25 cm

This should fit beneath the seat.

Examples include:

  • Small backpack
  • Laptop bag
  • Handbag

Anything significantly larger may incur an airport fee.

Priority Boarding

Passengers purchasing Priority Boarding may also bring:

55 × 40 × 20 cm

Maximum weight: 10 kg

This cabin suitcase is stored in the overhead lockers.

How Strict Is Ryanair?

Very. Many airports use baggage sizers at the gate.

If your bag doesn’t fit easily inside the metal frame, you may be required to pay a last-minute gate fee that is considerably more expensive than purchasing baggage online before your flight.

Best Tip

If you’re travelling for a weekend, choose a backpack specifically designed around the 40 × 20 × 25 cm limit. It will also fit on most other European airlines.

easyJet

easyJet offers one of the most generous free personal item allowances among major European low-cost airlines.

This makes it particularly attractive for travellers packing light.

Free Allowance

45 × 36 × 20 cm

Unlike several competitors, this allowance is noticeably larger. Many 30–35 litre travel backpacks fit within these dimensions.

Large Cabin Bag

Passengers with:

  • Up Front seats
  • Extra Legroom seats
  • FLEXI fares
  • Purchased Large Cabin Bag option

can also bring:

56 × 45 × 25 cm

This goes in the overhead locker.

Weight Limit

easyJet specifies a weight limit of 15 kg per bag (for both free underseat items and large cabin bags). You must also be able to place the bag into the overhead compartment yourself.

Is easyJet Strict?

Generally yes, although enforcement varies slightly between airports. Oversized bags are frequently checked during busy flights.

Wizz Air

Wizz Air follows a baggage model very similar to Ryanair. The basic fare includes one free personal item.

Free Personal Item

40 × 30 × 20 cm

Maximum weight: 10 kg

It must fit beneath the seat.

WIZZ Priority

Priority passengers may also bring:

55 × 40 × 23 cm

Maximum weight: 10 kg

Good To Know

Wizz Air has gradually expanded its route network across Central and Eastern Europe. Its baggage rules are consistently enforced, particularly at popular airports like Budapest, Warsaw, Bucharest and Sofia.

Vueling

Spain’s largest low-cost airline uses a baggage policy similar to many European competitors.

Free Personal Item

40 × 30 × 20 cm

Fits beneath the seat.

Cabin Suitcase

Passengers purchasing certain fare bundles may bring:

55 × 40 × 20 cm

Maximum weight: 10 kg

Is Vueling Strict?

Moderately. Staff commonly check larger-looking backpacks before boarding, particularly during summer when flights are full.

Transavia

Transavia updated its baggage policy to separate free under-seat items from larger overhead cabin bags on basic fares.

Free Personal Item

The basic fare includes one small personal item:

40 × 30 × 20 cm

It must fit beneath the seat in front of you.

Cabin Suitcase

Passengers wishing to bring a larger cabin bag (55 × 40 × 25 cm) into the overhead locker must purchase a cabin bag add-on or book a Smart or Max fare bundle.

The combined weight of your hand luggage must not exceed 10 kg.

Is Transavia Strict?

Generally less strict than Ryanair. However, flights to Mediterranean holiday destinations often see increased baggage checks because overhead lockers fill quickly.

What Backpack Fits Almost Every Airline?

If you only want to buy one travel backpack, choosing one that fits the strictest airlines makes life much easier.

A backpack around 40 × 20 × 25 cm will fit free on:

  • Ryanair
  • Wizz Air (with careful packing)
  • Vueling
  • Transavia
  • Eurowings (personal item)
  • Norwegian (small item)
  • Pegasus (personal item)

It may sacrifice some packing capacity compared with larger backpacks, but it dramatically reduces the chances of paying unexpected baggage fees.

For longer trips, consider a backpack with compression straps. Compressing clothing can often reduce the depth by several centimetres, making the difference between fitting inside a baggage sizer and paying an expensive airport fee.

Coming Up in Part 2

The next section covers:

  • Norwegian
  • Eurowings
  • Jet2
  • Volotea
  • Pegasus Airlines
  • ITA Airways
  • Lufthansa (comparison)
  • Which airlines are the strictest
  • Which airline offers the most generous free baggage allowance
  • Best carry-on backpacks for Europe

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