Flying with a low-cost airline can be unbelievably cheap – until you add baggage. In many cases, the price of your luggage can easily double or even triple the base fare. That’s why it’s crucial to understand Ryanair and Wizz Air baggage rules in 2025, know what to expect, and avoid paying more than you should.
Don’t confuse checked baggage with extra hand luggage
The terminology can be tricky. Just because your bag is cabin-sized doesn’t mean it qualifies as hand luggage without extra fees. I’ve seen it dozens of times – a traveler pays €60-70 for a checked bag but brings the suitcase to the gate instead of checking it in. The result? Another €70 charge, or worse – the bag is left behind, or the passenger misses the flight entirely. A small suitcase can be either checked baggage or hand luggage, depending on what you paid for.
Know the size and weight limits of your airline
Every airline has its own baggage limits, and Ryanair and Wizz Air are no exception. Measure your hand luggage. Weigh your suitcase. Know what’s allowed and what’s not. Even if no one checks at the check-in counter, gate agents are often strict and may require you to measure your bag again – and charge you for any excess.
Here is the link to Ryanair’s baggage policy, and this one is for all their fees.
Here is the link to Wizz Air’s baggage policy, and this one is for all their fees.
Duty-free bags are allowed, but only with duty-free items
Both Ryanair and Wizz Air allow one duty-free bag in addition to your regular allowance. However, this only applies if the contents are actually from duty-free. Trying to sneak in extra clothes or personal items in a duty-free bag rarely works – crew can and do ask for proof of purchase. Keep your receipt and avoid the awkwardness.
Priority = extra hand luggage, not always extra comfort
Buying “Priority” with either airline gives you two cabin bags and early boarding. But be warned – early boarding doesn’t always mean faster boarding. In some airports, it just means standing outside in the rain or sun for 15 minutes before anyone else.
Your bag is checked for one flight only
Even if you’re flying Ryanair to Milan and then catching another Ryanair flight to Barcelona, your checked baggage will not be transferred. You’ll have to collect it, go through security again, and check it in a second time. This is due to the point-to-point model both Ryanair and Wizz Air follow – they don’t offer connecting flights, even within their own network.
That means not only an extra round through security, but also re-checking (and re-paying for) your baggage on the second leg of your journey. You’ll need to allow enough time between flights to do all that – ideally a few hours to be safe.
Book baggage and priority early
The closer it is to departure, the more expensive baggage and Priority become. For example, adding a 20 kg checked bag might cost €20 if booked with your ticket, €40 a few days later, and €60+ at the airport. Priority often starts at €6-10 but can double or triple closer to takeoff.
Use loyalty programs to save
Both airlines offer loyalty options. Ryanair’s “Ryanair Plus” and Wizz Air’s “Wizz Discount Club” give frequent flyers discounts on Priority boarding and baggage fees. If you travel a few times a year, these programs can pay for themselves quickly.
Understanding the Ryanair and Wizz Air baggage rules 2025 can save you not only money but also stress and frustration at the airport. Read the fine print, check your measurements, and prepare in advance – and your flight will feel a lot more like a bargain.
