Travelling with just a cabin bag is the easiest way to save money and skip the baggage carousel. It's also the easiest way to get a surprise charge at the gate, because every airline has its own idea of what counts as a "cabin bag". Here's what Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 allow, based on recent airline guides and comparisons at the time of writing.

Ryanair

The free bag is a small one that has to fit under the seat in front of you. The limit is 40 x 30 x 20cm. It was made bigger in 2025, so plenty of older guides still quote a smaller size. Think handbag, small backpack or laptop bag, not a weekend holdall.

If you want a bigger bag in the overhead locker, you need the paid Priority & 2 Cabin Bags add-on. That gets you a second bag up to 55 x 40 x 20cm and 10kg, plus priority boarding. The price changes a lot between flights, so check it while you're booking, not at the airport.

Ryanair is also the strictest about measuring. Gate staff reportedly get bonuses for catching oversized bags, so assume yours will be put in the sizer.

easyJet

The free bag has to go under the seat and is limited to 45 x 36 x 20cm. That's a bit bigger than Ryanair's, which helps. The weight limit is 15kg.

For a proper overhead bag, easyJet sells a Large Cabin Bag at 56 x 45 x 25cm. You can add it as a standalone extra, or get it bundled with options such as extra legroom seats. You'll need to be able to lift it into the locker yourself.

Jet2

Jet2 is the most generous of the three. Your fare includes one cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25cm and 10kg, plus a small personal item like a handbag. Jet2 allows that second item at its discretion, so keep it small. In practice it means you can travel with a normal carry-on suitcase without paying extra.

The catch is the weight. Ten kilos goes quicker than you'd think, especially once you've packed shoes and a jacket.

Where people get caught

  • Measure the whole bag. Wheels, handles and outside pockets all count. A bag that looks fine on paper can fail the sizer once it's full
  • Soft bags beat hard cases. A soft holdall or backpack squashes into the sizer. A hard suitcase doesn't
  • Weigh it at home. Kitchen scales or a cheap luggage scale are enough. For Jet2 and a Ryanair Priority bag, 10kg is the number to beat
  • Don't rely on the coat trick. Wearing your heaviest coat and stuffing the pockets works sometimes, but staff can ask you to empty them
  • Gate fees are the most expensive way to pay. Paying for the right bag when you book is almost always cheaper than being told to check it at the airport
  • Check before you fly. Airlines change these rules, so read the baggage page on the airline's own website before you pack

How to pack a week into one bag

Wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket on the plane. Roll clothes instead of folding them. Stick to two or three colours so everything matches. Take travel-size toiletries, or buy the big ones when you land. Most people end up wearing the same few things anyway.

Is cabin-only worth it?

For a city break of up to five days, yes. For a longer trip, or a trip with children, a hold bag can end up cheaper and less stressful than squeezing everything in. A cabin bag also means no lost luggage and no waiting at the belt, which is a nice bonus.

It also helps to add bag fees to your budget from the start. Our Trip Budget Calculator is a good place to do that, and our guide on what actually changes the price of a flight explains why the cheapest fare isn't always the cheapest trip.

Where this comes from

Airlines change their baggage rules often, so this is a snapshot checked on 6 October 2026. These are the guides and comparisons it draws on: