If you want one bag for several low-cost airlines
For the free personal item, 40 × 30 × 20 cm is currently the simplest common denominator across Ryanair, Wizz Air and EasyJet. EasyJet allows more space, but a bag built to its full 45 × 36 × 20 cm allowance exceeds the free limits on Ryanair and Wizz Air. If you switch airlines often, designing around the strictest allowance avoids rebuilding your packing system every time.
Litres are not enough
Two bags advertised as 25 litres can have very different external shapes. A long flat design may remain within the sizer while a shorter rounded bag can exceed the depth limit once packed. For air travel we therefore look at external dimensions first, then capacity, empty weight and how well the bag keeps its shape when loaded.
Measure the packed bag, not just the product page
Handles, wheels, outer pockets and soft fabrics can change the real footprint. EasyJet explicitly includes handles and wheels in its dimensions. Wizz Air excludes handles and wheels but states a limited wheel allowance. In every case, a soft bag filled to the limit can become deeper than its empty specification suggests.
When paying for the larger cabin bag makes sense
The add-on becomes worthwhile when the small bag forces you to buy items at destination, wear unnecessary layers or leave genuinely useful equipment behind. For a simple weekend, a well organised personal item may be enough. For a week, a large laptop, extra footwear or cold-weather clothing can make the larger cabin allowance a more rational choice.
Our practical rule
If you want maximum compatibility across these three airlines without a baggage add-on, start with a bag specified at no more than 40 × 30 × 20 cm and keep a little spare room if the structure is soft. Do not buy something larger solely because you hope it will compress into the sizer; that may work in practice, but it is not the published allowance.
Always re-check before departure
Baggage policies change more often than most guides do. We therefore keep links to the official airline pages and date every update to this comparison. Before buying a bag for one particular flight, check the airline policy again and confirm what your specific fare includes.
| Airline | Included small bag | Extra cabin bag | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags | The small bag must fit under the seat. |
| EasyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm, up to 15 kg | 56 × 45 × 25 cm, up to 15 kg depending on fare or add-on | The free small bag is larger than Ryanair and Wizz Air. |
| Wizz Air | 40 × 30 × 20 cm, 10 kg | 55 × 40 × 23 cm, 10 kg with WIZZ Priority | The free allowance matches Ryanair, but the larger cabin bag is deeper. |
How we work
We verify information, cite sources where relevant and date our updates. Prices, availability and rules that may change should always be checked again with the relevant source or service.
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