Your luggage, their rules: the real cost of packing wrong with Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet and more.Credit: Shutterstock, robert coolen
Sun, sea… and sneaky baggage fees? As summer flights fill up fast, holidaymakers chasing cheap deals across Spain and Europe risk a nasty sting – not from the sun, but from the strict luggage rules waiting at the gate.
From Ryanair’s famously unforgiving bag checks to Jet2’s more generous approach, we’ve unpacked the luggage rules you need to know before heading to the airport. One oversized bag could cost you up to 100 euros, (or £100)- and that’s before you’ve even found your seat.
Whether you’re heading to Marbella, Madrid, or Mallorca, read this before you pack.
Ryanair: Strict sizes and steep fees
Ryanair might be the champion of budget travel, but it’s equally known for catching passengers out with its strict baggage policies.
Every passenger is allowed one puny personal item for free – it must fit under the seat and be no larger than 40 x 20 x 25 cm. That’s around the size of a small backpack, handbag or laptop case.
If you want to take a second, larger cabin bag (up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg), you’ll need to pay for Priority Boarding. This also lets you board the plane around 30 seconds before everyone else via the Priority queue.
Turning up with an oversized bag without Priority? That’ll cost you between 20 and 60 euros. If it ends up in the hold, expect to pay up to 75 euros.
For checked luggage, you can pre-book up to 20 kg of hold baggage for extra fees, depending on your route and when you book.
Our Choice of Best Budget Bag for Ryanair Flights
WANDF holdall (20-30 euros)- Designed to meet Ryanair’s free bag limits. Lightweight and waterproof.
easyJet: slightly more space, but still tight
All easyJet passengers can bring one free under-seat cabin bag (up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm and no more than 15 kg). If you want to bring a second bag for the overhead locker, you’ll need to book a large cabin bag in advance.
Passengers with an easyJet Plus membership or Inclusive Plus fare can bring both small and large cabin bags as standard.
Hold luggage is cheaper if booked online, but exceed the weight, and you’ll pay airport surcharges, so it’s worth checking at home.
Our Choice of Best Budget Bag for easyJet Flights
xlodea backpack (20-30 euros) – Designed to fit under the seat with a charging port and waterproof pocket.
Jet2: Roomier rules but weight still matters
Jet2 gives travellers more wiggle room in most cases. All passengers can bring two cabin bags: one small personal item (max 40 x 30 x 15 cm) and one larger bag (up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm and 10 kg). Both are included in the fare.
Want to check luggage? You can book up to three hold bags per person, up to 22 kg each. Book online to save up to 50 per cent compared to airport prices. Excess baggage is charged per additional kilogram, with a maximum single bag weight of 32 kg.
Our Choice of Best Budget Bag for Jet2 Flights
Nere Stori cabin bag (around 17-20 euros) – A colourful, lightweight option currently discounted online.
TUI: Depends on your holiday type
TUI’s luggage policy depends on what kind of trip you’ve booked. The standard fare includes one piece of hand luggage (up to 10 kg and 55 x 40 x 20 cm), plus a handbag or laptop (40 x 30 x 20 cm).
If you’re on a premium long-haul, TUI River Cruise, or a TUI BLUE holiday, you may get up to 25 kg in the hold included in your fare.
Kids under two can take up to 10 kg. As with most airlines, it’s cheaper to book hold luggage online.
Best Budget Bag for TUI
Flight Knight suitcase (around 25 euros) – Budget-friendly, four wheels and comes in multiple colours.
Our final verdict
With airlines tightening luggage rules, packing smart is no longer optional – it’s essential. Always double-check your fare, measure your bags, and weigh them before you leave home.
Booking extras online is the golden rule: it’s almost always cheaper than paying at the airport. And with some carriers charging more for a few extra centimetres than for the flight itself, ignoring the fine print could cost you dearly.
Your holiday starts at the gate – don’t let the wrong bag start you off on the wrong foot.
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