Can you bring a handbag on board a Ryanair flight in addition to carry-on luggage?

It depends on what you mean by “carry-on luggage.” W Ryanair’s basic fare, you can bring one small personal bag measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm on board, which must fit under the seat. This bag can be a handbag, backpack, or laptop bag. However, this does not mean that on the standard fare you can have a separate carry-on suitcase and a handbag as well. Larger carry-on luggage measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg is only allowed when you purchase the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option.

Product overview

• One small personal bag measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm is allowed free of charge W all Ryanair fares ( as of June 2026).
• This bag can be used as a handbag, a small backpack, or a laptop bag.
• The larger carry-on suitcase ( 55 × 40 × 20 cm ) is not included in the base fare.
• The Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option allows you to bring a small personal bag and an additional carry-on bag weighing up to 10 kg.

Can you bring a handbag in addition to your carry-on luggage on Ryanair?

W the basic fare, the answer is: no, not as an additional free piece of luggage. Ryanair allows you to bring one small personal bag for free, which can be a handbag, a small backpack, or a laptop bag. So if you’re bringing a handbag, that’s your free carry-on.

If you’d like to bring a larger carry-on suitcase on board, you’ll need to purchase the appropriate option or select a fare that includes Priority & 2 Cabin Bags. Only then can you bring two pieces of carry-on luggage: a small personal bag and an additional 10 kg of luggage.

What luggage allowance is free on Ryanair?

Ryanair’s current free baggage allowance is one small personal bag with maximum dimensions of 40 × 30 × 20 cm. It must fit under the seat in front of you. The airline explicitly states that this can be, for example, a handbag or a laptop bag.

This means that if you’re planning a trip with only your free baggage allowance, you should choose this size. Anything exceeding this limit may require an additional fee or the purchase of an extra service.

Is the carry-on bag free on Ryanair?

Not included in the base fare. This is one of the most common misconceptions. Many people still assume that a standard carry-on suitcase is free, but Ryanair’s current rules say otherwise.

An additional carry-on bag measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg is only included with the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option. In that case, you can board the plane with a small personal bag and a larger carry-on suitcase, which goes in the overhead compartment.

What does this mean in practice for passengers?

If you’re flying on the cheapest option, you have to fit everything into one small bag. W practice, this means that a handbag, small backpack, or laptop bag has to hold all the items you need for your trip. This is a good solution for a very short trip, but for 2–3 days, it becomes quite challenging.

If you want to pack more, you have two options:

• Buy the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags and fly with a small bag and a larger carry-on suitcase,
• or choose checked luggage if you have significantly more items.

Handbag, backpack, or laptop bag—which works best on Ryanair?

It all depends on the length of your trip and your packing style. If you’re flying out for a day or a very short city break, a small purse or compact bag may be enough. However, if you want to bring documents, toiletries, chargers, and a change of clothes, a small backpack or a well-designed bag measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm will be much more practical.

The most important thing is not to be misled by the product name alone. Just because something is described as a “cabin bag” doesn’t mean it will meet Ryanair’s free baggage allowance. The actual dimensions after packing are key. Ryanair’s rule is clear: one small personal bag that fits under the seat.

Common mistakes when packing for Ryanair

The most common mistakes include:

• The assumption is that free baggage refers to a standard carry-on suitcase,
• treating a handbag as an additional piece of luggage,
• buying a bag without checking the actual dimensions,
• packing "to the brim," which makes the luggage too deep or too stuffed.

W Ryanair, there’s little room for error. If your luggage exceeds the limit, you may end up paying a fee at the gate or having to check it as hold luggage. The airline’s official rules clearly distinguish between a free small carry-on bag and additional, paid carry-on luggage.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a handbag and a carry-on suitcase for free on Ryanair?

No. W the basic fare, you can only bring one small personal bag measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm. A larger carry-on suitcase is only available with the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option.

Does a handbag count as carry-on luggage on Ryanair?

Yes. The handbag can be your only free small personal bag if it fits within the 40 × 30 × 20 cm limit.

What are the dimensions for free checked baggage on Ryanair?

Free checked baggage is one small personal bag measuring 40 × 30 × 20 cm, which must fit under the seat.

What are the dimensions of Ryanair’s larger carry-on bag?

With the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option, you can bring an additional piece of luggage measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg.

Summary

W Ryanair, you can bring a handbag on board, but under the basic fare, it’s simply your only free small personal bag. So it doesn’t work as carry-on luggage plus an additional free handbag. If you also want to bring a larger carry-on suitcase, you must purchase the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option. The most important thing, therefore, is to clearly understand the difference between a small personal bag and full-size carry-on luggage before your trip.

See also: Airport fees—what are they and how much do you pay for them?