How to Avoid Airline Baggage Fees in the UK (Ryanair, easyJet, BA and More)
Baggage fees on UK airlines have become a holiday expense in their own right. A return checked bag on Ryanair or easyJet can add £50-£80 to your trip, and that is per person.
The good news: most travellers can avoid these fees entirely by packing smarter. This guide covers the exact baggage allowances for every major UK airline, practical strategies to pack carry-on only, and how compression packing cubes make it much easier.
TL;DR - Avoid Baggage Fees
- Pack carry-on only using compression packing cubes to fit more in less space.
- Know your airline's limits before you pack (sizes and weights vary).
- Wear your bulkiest items on the plane.
- Book baggage in advance if you do need to check a bag (airport prices are much higher).
- A family of 4 can save £200-£300+ per holiday by going carry-on only.
How Much Do Baggage Fees Actually Cost?
Here is what you are paying if you check a bag on the most popular UK airlines (2026 prices, return trip):
| Airline | Checked Bag (Return) | At Airport Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair (10 kg) | From £9.49-£44.99 each way | £46-£60 at desk, up to £70 at gate |
| Ryanair (20 kg) | From £18.99-£59.99 each way | £46-£60 at desk, up to £70 at gate |
| easyJet (15 kg) | Varies by route (book online) | Up to £55 per bag at airport |
| easyJet (23 kg) | Varies by route (book online) | Up to £55 per bag at airport |
| Jet2 (22 kg) | Included on Jet2holidays packages; from ~£21 each way on flight-only | £45 per bag at airport |
| TUI (20 kg) | Included on package holidays; purchased separately on flight-only | Check TUI website |
| British Airways | Included on most fares (not Basic/hand-baggage-only) | £35-£140 online; £75-£165 at airport |
| Wizz Air (10-32 kg) | Varies by route and weight tier | Significantly more at airport |
For a family of 4 on Ryanair: checking 20 kg bags for everyone could cost £150-£480 return, depending on route and when you book. That is money better spent on the holiday itself.
Note: prices are approximate and vary by route, season, and when you book. Always check your airline's website for current fees.
Ryanair Baggage Allowance (2026)
Ryanair has the strictest baggage policy of the major UK airlines. Here is exactly what you get:
Basic fare (no priority)
- 1 small personal item: 40 x 30 x 20 cm
- No weight limit on the personal item
- Must fit under the seat in front of you
- No overhead locker access
Priority and 2 Cabin Bags
- 1 small personal item: 40 x 30 x 20 cm (under seat)
- 1 cabin bag: 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg (overhead locker)
Checked bag options
- 10 kg bag: from £9.49-£44.99 each way when booked online
- 20 kg bag: from £18.99-£59.99 each way when booked online
- Excess weight is charged at £13 per kg
- Maximum 3 checked bags per passenger
Tips for Ryanair
- Priority is often worth it. The cabin bag upgrade gives you a proper carry-on that eliminates the need for checked luggage entirely.
- Measure your bag carefully. Ryanair enforces size limits at the gate. Oversized bags can be charged up to £70 to gate-check into the hold.
- Compression packing cubes are essential for fitting a week's clothing into the 55 x 40 x 20 cm limit.
easyJet Baggage Allowance (2026)
Free cabin bag (all fares)
- 1 small cabin bag: 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including handles and wheels)
- Weight limit: 15 kg
- Must fit under the seat in front of you
Large cabin bag (paid add-on)
- 56 x 45 x 25 cm (including handles and wheels), up to 15 kg
- Available from £5.99, includes Speedy Boarding
- Goes in the overhead locker
- Free for easyJet Plus and Inclusive Plus passengers
Checked bags
- 15 kg, 23 kg, or 32 kg options available
- Up to 3 bags per passenger
- Bags not pre-booked online cost up to £55 per bag at the airport
- Travel groups can pool their total weight allowance across the booking
Tips for easyJet
- easyJet is more generous than Ryanair. The free under-seat bag allows 15 kg with no add-on required.
- Adding a large cabin bag from £5.99 is often cheaper than checking a bag and gives overhead access plus Speedy Boarding.
- Always book hold bags online. The airport fee of up to £55 per bag is painful.
Other UK Airlines
British Airways
- Cabin bag: 56 x 45 x 25 cm plus a personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm), combined weight up to 23 kg
- Checked bag: included on most fares (23 kg, up to 32 kg in higher cabins). Not included on Basic/hand-baggage-only fares.
- Extra bags: £35-£140 online, £75-£165 at the airport
- BA actively enforces cabin bag sizes at Heathrow and Gatwick with bag sizers at the gate
Jet2
- Cabin bag: 56 x 45 x 25 cm (10 kg) plus a personal item (40 x 30 x 20 cm)
- Checked bag: included free (22 kg) on Jet2holidays and Jet2CityBreaks packages. On flight-only bookings, hold bags are purchased separately from around £21 each way.
- Airport fee: £45 per bag if not pre-booked
- Excess weight: £12 per kg over the 22 kg limit
Wizz Air
- Free personal item: 40 x 30 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg (under seat)
- WIZZ Priority trolley bag: 55 x 40 x 23 cm, up to 10 kg (overhead locker). Note: dimensions do not include handles/wheels, but wheels must add no more than 5 cm.
- Checked bags: 10 kg, 20 kg, 26 kg, or 32 kg options, up to 6 bags per passenger. Not included on basic fares.
TUI
- Cabin bag: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (10 kg) plus a personal item (40 x 30 x 20 cm)
- Checked bag: included on package holidays (20 kg standard, some include 25 kg). On flight-only bookings, hold bags must be purchased separately (15 kg, 20 kg, or 25 kg options).
- Maximum single bag weight: 25 kg
7 Strategies to Avoid Baggage Fees
1. Use compression packing cubes
This is the single most effective change you can make. Compression cubes reduce the volume of soft clothing by up to 30%, turning a bag that was "nearly there" into one with room to spare.
Read: how to use compression cubes
2. Wear your heaviest items
Your coat, boots, and heaviest jumper should go on your body, not in your bag. Airlines do not weigh what you are wearing.
3. Use your personal item wisely
Even on basic Ryanair fares, you get a personal item. Use it for electronics, documents, a book, snacks, and one change of underwear (in case of delays). This keeps your main bag free for clothing.
4. Plan outfits, not just items
Pack pieces that mix and match. Three tops and two bottoms give you six outfits. Most people overpack because they pack individual looks rather than versatile pieces.
5. Downsize toiletries
Switch to travel sizes (under 100ml), solid products, and multi-use items. Full-size bottles are heavy and take up disproportionate space.
6. Book baggage in advance (if you must check)
If carry-on only is not possible, always add checked baggage when you book your flight. Airport baggage fees can be double the online price.
How Much Could You Save?
| Scenario | Checked Bag Cost | Carry-On Only Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couple on Ryanair, 20 kg bags (return) | £76-£240 | £0 (or cost of Priority add-on) | £76-£240 |
| Family of 4 on easyJet, 15 kg bags (return) | Varies by route (up to £220 at airport) | £0 | Up to £220 |
| Solo traveller, 4 Ryanair trips/year, 20 kg | £152-£480 | £0 | £152-£480 |
A set of compression packing cubes pays for itself on the first trip.
Shop Compression Packing Cubes
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does checked baggage cost on Ryanair?
Ryanair checked baggage costs from around £9.49 to £44.99 each way for a 10 kg bag, or £18.99 to £59.99 for a 20 kg bag when booked online. Prices vary by route and season. Adding bags at the airport costs £46-£60 at the desk, and oversized bags caught at the gate can be charged up to £70.
Can I avoid baggage fees on budget airlines?
Yes. The most effective way is to pack carry-on only using compression packing cubes to fit more into a smaller bag. Other strategies include wearing your heaviest items, using a personal item wisely, and choosing airlines with more generous cabin bag allowances.
What is the Ryanair cabin bag allowance?
With a basic Ryanair fare, you get one small personal item (40 x 30 x 20 cm) that goes under the seat with no weight limit. With Priority and 2 Cabin Bags, you also get an overhead cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg.
What is the easyJet cabin bag allowance?
All easyJet passengers get a free small cabin bag (45 x 36 x 20 cm, up to 15 kg) that goes under the seat. A large cabin bag (56 x 45 x 25 cm) can be added from £5.99 and includes Speedy Boarding. easyJet Plus and Inclusive Plus passengers get the large cabin bag for free.
Do compression packing cubes help avoid baggage fees?
Yes. Compression cubes reduce the volume of soft clothing by up to 30%, helping you fit a week's worth of clothes into a carry-on bag. This makes it much easier to avoid checking a bag and paying the associated fees.
Stop Paying for Bags
Baggage fees are one of the easiest travel expenses to eliminate. With the right packing strategy and compression cubes, most travellers can go carry-on only for trips of a week or less. That is real money saved on every single flight.
