Ryanair Baggage, Check-In + Boarding Guide

Ryanair baggage rules — strict

• Free small bag (every fare): 40x20x25cm. Must fit under seat in front. Weight up to 10kg recommended.
• Priority + 2 bags add-on (€8-25): 1 small bag (40x20x25cm) + 1 cabin bag 55x40x20cm 10kg. PRIORITY boarding included.
• 10kg cabin bag (€13-39): 55x40x20cm 10kg in overhead bin. NO priority boarding — last group on.
• Checked 20kg (€25-60): usually weekday flights cheapest. Pay online — airport bag drop +€20.
• Checked 10kg (€18-40): smaller checked option.
• Sports equipment (€60-90): golf clubs, ski equipment, bike (boxed).
• Musical instruments (small): count as personal bag if 40x20x25cm.
• Liquids (carry-on): 100ml each + 1L resealable bag.
• Strict measurements: Ryanair gate sizers measure exactly. €70 oversized fee at gate.
• Fragile items: recommended carry-on (bags handled roughly in checked).

Ryanair check-in

• ONLINE CHECK-IN ONLY: 24 hours-2 hours before departure (FREE if random seat assigned).
• Choose seat (€4-15): earliest 60 days advance.
• Airport check-in: €55 fee. AVOID.
• Boarding pass: printed paper OR mobile app.
• Mobile boarding pass: Ryanair app required for app-only boarding.
• Print at airport: if no app + missed online — counter charges €20.
• Document check at airport: required for non-EU flights even with online check-in.
• Boarding closes 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Strict.
• Late = miss flight: Ryanair famously punctual at boarding gates.

Boarding + seat selection

• Priority + 2 bags (€8-25): board first.
• Group A (random allocation): board after Priority.
• Group B: board last.
• Priority Boarding worth it?: if traveling with cabin bag, often yes (avoids €70 oversized fee at gate).
• Seat selection: Standard €4-6, Premium €15-20 (extra legroom rows 1, 16, 17).
• Random seat (free): if not chosen, get random middle seat usually.
• Family seating: seats together NOT GUARANTEED unless paid.
• Children under 12 with adults: seated with adult automatically.
• Boarding lane: separate lanes for Priority vs Standard.

Common Ryanair fees to avoid

• Airport check-in: €55. ALWAYS check in online.
• Late online check-in: €55 (after 2 hours before departure).
• Name change: €115. Don’t book without exact name.
• Flight change: €60+ + fare difference. Or €120+ if 2 hours before.
• Cancellation: No refund (only government taxes returned).
• Oversized bag at gate: €70. Measure carefully BEFORE airport.
• Extra checked bag at airport: +€60 vs online.
• Boarding pass print: €20 at counter.
• Wrong document: €115 admin fee or denied boarding.
• Special assistance: FREE — book online 48h before.

Ryanair routes + hubs

• 230+ destinations: Europe + Morocco + Israel + Jordan.
• Top hubs: Dublin, London Stansted, Bergamo (Milan area), Charleroi (Brussels area), Madrid, Barcelona-El Prat, Manchester, Krakow, Berlin BER.
• Secondary airports preference: Bergamo not Linate. Stansted not Heathrow. Charleroi not Brussels. Often 30-90 min from main city.
• Cheap routes: €15-50 typical. €5-15 super-cheap deals.
• Boeing 737 fleet: all narrow-body single-aisle.
• Subsidiary brands: Buzz (Poland), Lauda (Austria — folded), Malta Air (Malta).
• Ireland-Italy: dominant Ryanair routes.

Ryanair tips for cheap flights

• Book early: 6-8 weeks ahead cheapest.
• Tuesday + Wednesday flights cheapest: avoid Friday + Sunday.
• Off-peak seasons: January-February + October-November cheapest.
• Fare classes: Basic (cheapest), Plus, Family Plus. Plus includes priority + checked bag.
• Skyscanner + Google Flights: compare prices.
• Ryanair app: sometimes promo codes only in-app.
• Newsletter: sign up for promo emails.
• Don’t book hotel/car/insurance through Ryanair: always 30-50% more expensive than direct.
• Pre-book bags + seats online: 50% cheaper than at airport.
• Flexible dates: €5-10 difference on same route.

Ryanair customer service + complaints

• Customer service: chat + email only (no phone for most issues).
• Compensation EU 261: €250-600 for delays 3h+ in EU. File via Ryanair claims form.
• Refund for cancellation: by Ryanair — full refund or rebooking. By passenger — only government taxes.
• Lost luggage: file at airport. €100-1,000 limit.
• Reputation: often #1 worst airline customer service. But cheapest = most users.
• Reviews: 2.5/5 stars typical (TrustPilot).
• Skytrax rating: 4 stars (low-cost category).
• Common complaints: hidden fees, strict baggage enforcement, hard to reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ryanair free baggage?

1 small bag 40x20x25cm under seat — FREE every fare. To bring 10kg cabin bag in overhead, pay Priority + 2 bags €8-25. Otherwise pay 10kg cabin bag €13-39 (no priority).

Ryanair check-in online when?

24 hours to 2 hours before departure. FREE if random seat assigned. €4-15 to choose seat. AVOID airport check-in €55 fee. App boarding pass works.

Ryanair boarding strict?

Yes. Boarding closes 30 minutes before departure. Late = miss flight. Use Priority Boarding €8-25 to skip queue. Random seat allocation if not paid.

Ryanair fees to avoid?

Airport check-in €55, late online check-in €55, oversized bag at gate €70, name change €115, missed flight no refund. Pre-book bags + seats online to save 50%.

Ryanair Priority Boarding worth it?

Yes if cabin bag in overhead — avoids €70 oversized fee at gate (Ryanair STRICTLY measures). Plus board first. €8-25. Otherwise just bring 40x20x25 free bag.

Ryanair vs Wizz Air?

Both ultra-low-cost. Ryanair more routes (230+ vs 180), bigger fleet (600+ vs 200). Wizz cheaper Eastern Europe. Both strict on baggage. Ryanair more reliable + larger network.

See also

• London Stansted Airport guide