Which backpack to choose for a Ryanair flight to avoid overpaying?

For mountainous countries, less developed areas, or places with difficult public transportation, it’s worth traveling with a comfortable backpack on your shoulders. Have you booked a Ryanair flight? Learn about the backpack dimensions allowed on Ryanair as part of the free carry-on baggage. Also, check how much excess baggage costs on Ryanair and which SKYLARK backpack to choose so you don’t overpay when traveling with this airline.

How much do Poles spend on foreign travel? A glance at the statistics

According to estimates by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, in 2023 Poles made 52.2 million domestic tourist trips, which is a 1% increase compared to 2022. Long-term trips accounted for 41% of all domestic trips, while short-term trips made up 59%. The main purpose of travel in 2023 was rest, recreation, holidays, and visiting relatives and friends. The average length of stay during domestic trips in 2023 was 4 nights. Foreign trips are increasingly reaching a similar length. A backpack is a great type of luggage for this kind of trip. What backpack for 4 days? To fit all necessary items and accessories, the best choice is a model with about 40 liters capacity. At the same time, if you don’t want to overpay, your backpack should not exceed the size limits set by Ryanair. What exactly are these dimensions? Take a look at the detailed guidelines provided in the next paragraph.

Backpack dimensions for Ryanair flights

Not sure which backpack you can take with you into the Ryanair cabin? Your doubts should be cleared by visiting the airline’s official website. Once there, you’ll learn that the Irish carrier allows you to bring a free carry-on backpack with maximum dimensions of 40x20x25 cm. This size fits easily under the seat in front of you on a Ryanair plane. By following these guidelines, you will avoid extra fees for carry-on baggage. However, if this backpack size is not enough for you, you can opt to purchase additional baggage. In that case, during the flight you can use the benefits of a larger suitcase, travel-sport bag, or backpack with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20 cm and a weight of 10 kg. This type of baggage should be placed in the overhead compartment above the passengers’ heads after boarding. Why is it worth adhering to these dimensions? The answer is simple: to avoid overpaying!

Your backpack weighs more? Check how much excess baggage costs on Ryanair!

On the carrier’s website, the first extra charge for a Ryanair flight ticket in the "Baggage" section is the "10 kg checked carry-on baggage" category. The price for this type of equipment, such as a travel bag, suitcase, or backpack with straps, purchased through Ryanair.com, ranges from 11.99 €/£ to 29.99 €/£. Converted to Polish zloty, this is approximately 50 to 130 PLN. Note! These costs increase to 23.99 €/£ to 35.99 €/£ when purchasing baggage at the airport check-in desk. Converted to PLN, this amounts to about 100 to even 150 PLN!

Travelers have to pay even more for checked baggage weighing 20 kg. When checking in online, this service costs at least 18.99 €/£ (about 80 PLN) and up to 59.99 €/£ (around 255 PLN) when purchased via the website. This rate increases further for the same service purchased at the airport terminal. The cheapest checked baggage up to 20 kg can be purchased for 44.99 €/£, which is nearly 200 PLN! Exact rates vary depending on the chosen route and travel dates. Additionally, for every kilogram of excess baggage, you will have to pay an extra 9 to 11 € / £.

Which backpack to choose for a Ryanair flight? We recommend the multifunctional SKYLARK travel and city backpack

We already mentioned that to avoid stress and unnecessary spending, it’s worth bringing a carry-on backpack with maximum dimensions of 40x20x25 cm on a Ryanair flight. For maximum travel comfort, such a backpack should be spacious, yet lightweight, durable, and comfortable to carry. To facilitate access to the interior, the best models of this type of luggage have a thoughtfully designed internal organization system. All these features distinguish, among others, the multifunctional SKYLARK travel backpacks collection, characterized by minimalist design and capacities ranging from 12.5 to 30.5 liters. 30 liters is the ideal backpack size for a domestic or foreign 4-day trip. The SKYLARK backpack is therefore perfect for a short business trip, an extended city break, or a school trip for a child or teenager.

Models from the SKYLARK collection have carefully thought-out interiors with numerous pockets and external and internal compartments. Thanks to them, everything will be in its place and always within reach! Made of waterproof polyester, the backpacks are resistant to moisture and mechanical damage. They have a laptop or tablet pocket with shock absorption and comfortable straps and a chest belt, ensuring comfort when carrying the luggage for long hours. As a result, SKYLARK backpacks are perfect for Ryanair flights with layovers at different airports, during long waits for flights, and even if an overnight stay in the airport terminal is necessary.

SKYLARK backpack on a Ryanair flight weighing under 10 kg – a way to save money

To avoid spending extra zlotys, euros, pounds, or other currency on a Ryanair flight ticket, it’s worth making sure that the backpack weight for the plane does not exceed 10 kg. For this purpose, it’s good to weigh the backpack not only after packing but also during packing. Thanks to this, you will always know how many items you can still add. Running out of space? Check how to use the backpack interior 100%.

Additionally, we encourage you to place part of the free carry-on baggage for Ryanair flights in other places. Are you traveling with your husband, partner, mom, or friend? Cosmetics or electronic devices that you will use together can be distributed proportionally between two bags: yours and your companion’s. Heavy clothes, such as a jumpsuit or trekking boots, can be worn during the trip. It’s also worth doing the same with light but large or disproportionate accessories, such as a sun hat, beach bag, raincoat, or long dress. If you get too hot, you can take off some clothes after taking your seat on the plane. Items transported this way will crease less and can be used during the flight as a pillow, blanket, or cover to protect against airplane air conditioning. Let us know in the comments if the tips we described were helpful.

See also:

Comfortable travel — why the SKYLARK backpack is perfect for trips?

Help with organizing business trips – SKYLARK backpack on the path to success.