Ryanair Carry-On Dilemma: Need Your Advice!

[JanusDT]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Tincatinker]

Ryanair would charge for the air in the cabin if they could just figure out how.

We printed wrong boarding passes for flight – we were horrified to get huge fee

AN elderly couple who printed the wrong boarding passes for a Ryanair flight were left horrified when the airline hit them with a £110 fee. Ruth and Peter Jaffe were charged £55 each to reprint the…

www.thesun.co.uk

Either change your flights, your backpacks or pre-book checked luggage. You really do not want to encounter their “on the spot” charges

 

[Pafayac]

Ryanair extra cost for registered luggage are not so high.
You can even carry poles, provided they are inside your backpack.

 

[C clearly]

Others will chime in here soon, but you can find lots of discussion by entering "ryanair" in the Search box, and selecting the "Search titles only" box.

 

[J Willhaus]

It is always cheaper to buy the "hold luggage" add on when you first buy your ticket than have them sock it to you at the gate if they decide your luggage needs to go in the hold.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Not a question that can be really answered. They are stricter at hub stations, than outstations. Buying luggage in advance tends be a lot cheaper than at airport. I have flown them lots of times (maybe 50 or so) and always been quite happy with their service. I think their baggage delivery stats are as good as anyone else. Ryanair are successful as their have a vary simple operation and gain a lot from that both financially and operationally. That includes baggage.

 

[JanusDT]

Thanks everyone, I know what i got to do

 

[trecile]

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

The size that you have quoted is for a personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you. If you buy the basic fare that is all that you are allowed. You will not be allowed to put your backpacks in the overhead bins. A cabin bag can be 55x40x20cm and up to 10kg.

This is from RyanAir's site

All our fares include one small personal bag which can be brought on board, such as a handbag or laptop bag (40x20x25cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you. If you need additional baggage allowance, there are various options available to you.

It will probably be most cost effective for the two of you to pay for one checked bag - you can buy a cheap duffel or other bag (look at charity shops) that will hold both bags.

If this is a direct non-stop flight I wouldn't worry too much about the luggage being lost or delayed.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

The size that you have quoted is for a personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you. If you buy the basic fare that is all that you are allowed. You will not be allowed to put your backpacks in the overhead bins. A cabin bag can be 55x40x20cm and up to 10kg.

Yes. Your ospreys will be fine in the cabin.

 

[trecile]

Yes. Your ospreys will be fine in the cabin.

They would be fine as a cabin bag in the overhead (which is an extra cost for each bag), but they are too big to go under the seat in front as a personal item. It seems that the ticket that @JanusDT purchased includes only a personal item. I suggested putting both backpacks in one checked bag because that it less expensive than two cabin bags.

 

[dougfitz]

My wife and I have travelled regularly with Ryanair when we have been in Europe. We have avoided paying for a cabin bag, preferring to take a checked bag. However, we did find that if we booked an exit row seat for the extra leg room, our personal bag had to be stored in the overhead locker. We didn't do a cost trade-off calculation about using this approach to bring on a larger personal item rather than checking a bag.

 

[Vacajoe]

No as personal, underseat baggage. Yes, as an overhead storage “cabin bag”. In general, they check (often at the desk AND at the gate), but any given day and any random employee May or may not check. Checking your bag at the gate can be VERY expensive, so it’s a gamble with very real fiscal impacts. Pay for the cabin bag option or (as stated before) place both in a duffel and check it in.

 

[Portach]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

They’re strict. Don’t even think about it

 

[Moniq]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

It depends on the airport policy. I flew back from Porto. Had a check-in ticket but there they said that wasn’t necessary. I could take it as carry on luggage even with my poles. And I saw other peregrines doing the same.That was this Spring. Maybe you can ask on one of the many camino forums if someone knows the Ryan Air policy at your airport of departure. Bom Camino.

 

[trecile]

It depends on the airport policy. I flew back from Porto. Had a check-in ticket but there they said that wasn’t necessary. I could take it as carry on luggage even with my poles

Airport policy determines what kind of items (liquids, poles, etc.) you can take on board, but it's airline policy that determines the size. Ryanair is very clear on what size bag is included in the fare.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

One thought. If the pack dimensions are greater than the allowed dimensions, perhaps there is too much in the pack? I have also used an 42 L Osprey pack and always was allowed to carry it on. The first time it contained 20 lb of items. The second time, just 10 lb. Both pack weights did not include water or food.

Ask me which trip went better. Consider which would improve your trip.

Hoping a positive answer to this question resolves the problem.

 

[ian&linda]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Just pay for priority, so you get a 10kg bag allowance, as well as a small bag. We carried our 44ltr and 36ltr Ospreys onboard without any problem. To be honest, Ryanair never seem too fussy about precise sizes.

 

[FootlooseAgain]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Ryanair can be severe re baggage dimensions - or not: point being that it is unpredictable, so unpleasant in anticipation.
Suggest pay at time of booking for luggage to go in hold. Or bite the bullet and change backpack to one that does not exceed Ryanair's.
Wild car suggestion: buy Amazon soft sided 'back pack suitcase' style for about 50 Euro. They have excellent utility, straps and supports, but may take a few days to get used to. Also very expandable and hard wearing.

 

[trecile]

Or bite the bullet and change backpack to one that does not exceed Ryanair's.

I don't think that there many backpacks that would be big enough for the Camino within the specs for a Ryanair personal item of 40cm x 20cm x 25cm/ 15.75in x 7.87in x 9.84in.

Amazon soft sided 'back pack suitcase' style for about 50 Euro.

Does that fit the personal item size?

 

[PNeer]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

my worst flying experience ever

 

[FootlooseAgain]

The Amazon Cabinmax works for Ryanair cabin baggage. It fits a lot. I did a two week stretch of the Norte and had no issues with fitting / carrying stuff. But each to his/her own.

Amazon.co.uk : cabinmax

I note that prices have gone up since I bought mine. Surprise!

 

[FootlooseAgain]

Here are the Ryanair baggage specs. Manufacturers make bags to fit these requirements. https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-us/a...2 Cabin Bags: This,Boarding queue at the gate.

 

[RRat]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Stuff as much as possible on to your carry on. Include the totally necessary items. Stuff the remainder of both your items into one backpack together with the other backpack. This way you will only have one checked in item. If disaster happens upon arrival the only thing having to be replaced are backpacks that are easily found at any sporting goods store.

 

[trecile]

The Amazon Cabinmax works for Ryanair cabin baggage.

But @JanusDT's ticket doesn't include a cabin bag, only an underseat personal item.

Ryanair personal item of 40cm x 20cm x 25cm/ 15.75in x 7.87in x 9.84in

The volume of the personal item with those maximum dimensions would be 20 liters.

 

[Zuleika]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Just buy the cabin baggage size, it’s approx £25 each way and gets you speedy boarding also. Then you’ve got peace of mind. The smaller size is a woman’s handbag size only.

 

[Graham Skinner]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I assume you are flying into Biarritz and if so, the wait for baggage is very small. You queue at passport control a fair bit unless you are first off the plane and if you are in a queue, your pack will be on the carousel waiting for you. To protect against damage, I purchased the £5 IKEA holdall, more than enough room for the pack. I then got rid of it as I wasn’t bothered about damage on the return journey back to the UK.

 

[Vacajoe]

It’s POSSIBLE - I did the St James Way in England plus another 8 weeks of European travel with a partially packed 28L bag, cinched down to the personal bag dimensions. I do not recommend this for first-timers nor if you are walking in shoulder seasons when the weather is unpredictable. It BARELY fit the RyanAir measuring boxes and they and the other discount airlines I used DID check (Stansted, Madrid, Zaragoza, Valencia, Gatwick, JFK).

 

[trecile]

To protect against damage, I purchased the £5 IKEA holdall

Unfortunately, IKEA has stopped selling the zippered Frakta bag. You can find them on Amazon (for a higher price), or look for "moving bags" on Amazon - they are very similar.

 

[GMURF]

The dimensions you posted are for underseat bags not for carry on bags 55x40x20 which go in overhead locker.

 

[sprinto]

If in doubt, pay for hold luggage and at the gate they should( maybe not) advise that you sack should go to oversize luggage due to all the straps
If not insist on this and take it to oversize luggage
No conveyor belts just straight on the plane and usually first off with the pushchairs
Enjoy

 

[JesperK]

Why bother with all the trouble and risk of extra pay. Add a check-in bag and be done with it. Unless I'm travelling very light (15-20 litre) I always check-in. The cost is not really that big. I also always pay for seat at the emergency exit row. I'm writing this even though at my last flight to Madrid the luggage arrived on the conveyor belt 60 minutes after landing and the plane was already 30 minutes late and I literally had to run to get to my bus at the new terminal.

 

[Sue127]

They would be fine as a cabin bag in the overhead (which is an extra cost for each bag), but they are too big to go under the seat in front as a personal item. It seems that the ticket that @JanusDT purchased includes only a personal item. I suggested putting both backpacks in one checked bag because that it less expensive than two cabin bags.

This is what I did last year. I bought alight travel bag which held two rucksacks and checked them as hold luggage. Cheaper than two cabin bags and held our poles.

 

[FLEUR]

They would be fine as a cabin bag in the overhead (which is an extra cost for each bag), but they are too big to go under the seat in front as a personal item. It seems that the ticket that @JanusDT purchased includes only a personal item. I suggested putting both backpacks in one checked bag because that it less expensive than two cabin bags.

To the O P
We do, as recommended here.
Buy a packable holdall. In it pack both rucksacks and your poles. This way you pay for one piece of hold luggage.
Spare shoes and perhaps some heavy items we pack into day sacks to store beneath the seat in front of you. Our
2 x rucksacks and poles came in under 15kg limit on Vueling.

Should you wish to have your rucksacks transported while you walk I advise packing any stuff not required during the day's walk, into the packable holdall. Then walk carrying a change of shoes/sandals, sandwiches and suncream in your comfortable, well fitting rucksack.
Win, win

 

[Mycroft]

They’re strict. Don’t even think about it

Agreed! There was a reason someone created the website ryanairisevil.com soon after the airline started.

 

[Mycroft]

Stuff as much as possible on to your carry on. Include the totally necessary items. Stuff the remainder of both your items into one backpack together with the other backpack. This way you will only have one checked in item. If disaster happens upon arrival the only thing having to be replaced are backpacks that are easily found at any sporting goods store.

And use your jacket pockets for socks, underwear, etc.

 

[Tarzan]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

The Ryanair restrictions re size of carry is like how long is a piece of string, if you asked me. I took a back pack this year, Dublin to Biaritz & ensured it was the correct size....I saw so many people with bigger looking bags & they had no bother...just walked on...I just it's the chance you take. I left myself short a few bits for the week long walk. For example I took a really small sleeping bag & was cold one night as a result. Then I chanced bringibg my walking pole (folded down) & stuck that onto my bag. I thought they'd be sure to take it from me as it's length was longer than my bag dimensions. Again Ryanair staff didn't bat an eyelid. It seems to me but don't take this as fact that if your bags looks in and around the dimensions (a little bigger even) without being a big bulky massive suitcase that you might get through. I guess it depends on there being room for everyones luggage in the overhead ultimately...M

 

[JanusDT]

Thanks all, I have bought extra lugage space so I will not have any trouble at the airport next week.

Kind regards!

 

[Frankybaby66]

Hello everyone,

The day is fast approaching when I'll together with by girlfriend be flying to Porto to embark on my second Camino adventure!

However, my girlfriend recently brought to my attention that our backpacks might exceed the dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by Ryanair. According to their policy, carry-on bags should measure 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, whereas our backpacks have a length of 49cm. Unfortunately, the backpad of the Osprey backpack we're using isn't very compressible in terms of length.

Considering the potential extra costs, as well as the risk of our luggage being lost or damaged, and the added waiting time at the airport, I'm hesitating about purchasing additional luggage space for check-in.

Now, I'm curious if any of you have had previous experiences with Ryanair and how strict they are when it comes to luggage dimensions. Your insights and advice on both the dimensions and the potential risks would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I always check my backpack in the hold (I put it in a lockable tote bag to protect the straps etc).
Never had an issue with luggage not arriving (there's always a first time I guess)
I have to check my Pacerpoles anyway, as airlines consider them to be lethal weapons .
World's gone crazy . . .
Buen Camino