Flying Ryanair: how to pass the “Hand luggage challenge”

Ryanair limitations on hand luggage often worry those travelers who don’t want to carry anything but a small suitcase, either because they prefer not to wait for the luggage at the arrival airport or because they want to save on the hold luggage. So here are some good tips to pass the security checks seamlessly traveling only with the cabin baggage.

Organization is all

The company allows you to take a rather small suitcase of 55x40x20 cm. At this point, the trendiest people could feel upset – how could they put all of their clothes and accessorizes in such a small space? One can only survive a weekend with it! The reality is that if you know how to prepare a suitcase smartly, with the right clothes and putting things the right way, a hand luggage can be enough for trips of up to one week! Of course, a lot depends on your destination and when you are traveling – if you’re going to a cold country or it is a winter trip, scarves and sweaters might take most of the space, but if you’re traveling during summertime or to hot places you can get the most out of your cabin luggage!

Small, great extras

Actually, Ryanair also let you carry a sufficiently capacious personal bag (suggested dimensions are under 35x20x20 cm) or a pc for free. Moreover, if you go shopping at the airport, you won’t have to put all of your purchases in the suitcase – small extras that are often very helpful 😉

Beware of liquids… And more

Security checks are always more and more accurate especially for what regards articles that are forbidden in the cabin. Remember that if you travel only with the hand luggage you must show all your liquids when passing through the metal detector, from make up stuff to your shower gel and toothpaste, closed in a transparent bag. Also, pay attention to razors, nail files, Swiss army knife and other potentially harming tools: they won’t pass!

Weight and size under control

Even though the strictness of Ryanair check-in or boarding checks depends on how much the person you meet is flexible, you should always stick to the company rules. Your hand luggage shouldn’t therefore be bigger than 55x40x20 cm, wheels and handles included, and it should not weigh more than 10 kg. As far as dimensions are concerned, we recommend you to pay particularly attention to thickness – it’s in fact possible that you must put your suitcase in a measurement device in order to check if it is compliant to the company restrictions. If it doesn’t fit, not only will you have to put your baggage in the hold, but also to pay a fine (from € 25 to € 50). The same occurs when you exceed weight limitations (even though having your luggage weighted is pretty unfrequent when traveling only with the cabin bag, you’d better not risk it!).

Rush to the gate!

Once you passed all the airport checks, we can say you’ve (almost) done it! One last tip though: be among the first people in line at the gate. Why? Unless you paid for priority boarding or have bought a ticket at a particular fare that includes such service, there’s the chance for your suitcase to be put in the hold anyway (this time for free) if the overhead luggage compartment in the cabin is full. This often happens during peak season or on very popular routes (how many times must have it occurred on a Rome to Paris flight?). Our suggestion is therefore to get onboard as soon as possible so as to put your baggage in the locker (using just the space you actually need and respecting others of course).

Well, now that you know all the tricks for traveling with no hassle on a Ryanair flight, all you need to do is to book a flight and go to your next destination! Have a nice trip 🙂