Which backpack to fly with Ryanair without paying extra fees

Updated: Wings Team

When traveling to mountainous regions, less developed areas, or cities with limited public transportation, it’s worth traveling with a comfortable backpack on your back. Have you booked a flight with Ryanair? Find out the backpack dimensions allowed for Ryanair’s free cabin baggage. Also, check how much Ryanair charges for excess baggage and which SKYLARK backpack to choose so you don’t pay more than necessary when traveling with this airline.

How much do Slovaks spend on foreign trips? A look at the statistics

According to estimates from the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, Slovaks took 52.2 million domestic tourist trips in 2023, representing a 1% increase compared to 2022. Long-term stays accounted for 41% of all domestic trips, while short-term trips made up 59%. The main reasons for traveling in 2023 were recreation, vacation, relaxation, and visits to family or friends. The average length of stay during domestic trips was 4 nights, with foreign trips increasingly reaching similar durations. The ideal type of luggage for such a trip is a backpack. What kind of backpack for 4 days? It should be spacious enough to fit all necessary items and accessories, while also not exceeding the dimensions set by Ryanair. What are the exact dimensions? See detailed instructions in the following paragraph.

Backpack dimensions for Ryanair flights

Not sure what backpack you can bring on board a Ryanair flight? The answer is on the airline’s official website. According to the information provided, you can bring free cabin baggage with maximum dimensions of 40x20x25 cm. This size fits easily under the seat in front of you. By adhering to these dimensions, you avoid additional fees for cabin baggage. However, if this backpack size is not sufficient for you, you can purchase additional baggage. In that case, you can bring a larger suitcase, travel sports bag, or backpack with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20 cm and a weight up to 10 kg. Such baggage must be stored in the overhead compartment above the passengers’ seats. Why is it important to follow these dimensions? The answer is simple: so you don’t pay more than necessary!

Your backpack weighs more? See how much Ryanair charges for excess baggage!

On Ryanair’s website, in the “Baggage” section, the first surcharge for a Ryanair ticket in the “10 kg cabin checked baggage” category is listed. The price for this type of baggage – whether it’s a travel bag, suitcase, or backpack – when purchased through Ryanair.com ranges from €11.99/£ to €29.99/£, which is approximately €50 to €130. Warning! When buying baggage at the airport, the price increases to €23.99/£ to €35.99/£, which means approximately €100 to €150!

You will pay even more for checked baggage weighing up to 20 kg. If you book it online, the price ranges from €18.99/£ (about €80) to €59.99/£ (about €255). The price increases further when purchased at the airport. The cheapest checked baggage option at the airport costs €44.99/£, which is nearly €200. Exact prices depend on the destination and flight date. Additionally, you pay €9 to €11/£ for each kilogram of excess weight.

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

To avoid stress and unnecessary expenses, bring a cabin backpack with maximum dimensions of 40x20x25 cm on board Ryanair. For maximum comfort, it should be spacious, lightweight, durable, and comfortable to carry. The best luggage models have a well-thought-out internal organization system. All these features are met by the travel backpacks from the SKYLARK collection, which feature a minimalist design and capacities ranging from 12.5 to 30.5 liters. The 30-liter model is ideal for a 4-day trip. The SKYLARK backpack is therefore a great choice for a business trip, extended city break, or school trip.

SKYLARK backpack on Ryanair flights under 10 kg – a way to save

To avoid additional fees for your Ryanair ticket, make sure your backpack does not exceed 10 kg in weight. It’s good to weigh it not only after packing but also during packing. This way, you will always know how many items you can still add. Running out of space? Find out how to use the internal space of your backpack efficiently. Many tips for effective packing of the SKYLARK backpack can be found in the article Help with organizing business trips – the SKYLARK backpack as a path to success. Check out the practical advice!

Additionally, we recommend splitting part of the free cabin baggage allowance for Ryanair into multiple places. Traveling with a partner, mother, or friend? Cosmetics or electronics you will use together can be divided between two backpacks. Heavier clothing, such as jackets or trekking shoes, can be worn. The same applies to bulky but light accessories like a straw hat, beach bag, or long dress. If you get hot, you can put them away once seated on the plane. Items transported this way crease less and can serve as a pillow or blanket during the flight. Let us know in the comments if our tips helped you!

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