Low-cost airlines – how to pack and avoid fees?

Low-cost airlines sell cheap seats and earn the difference on baggage. A bag that is two centimetres too deep or two kilograms too heavy can cost more at the gate than the ticket did. This 2026/27 update explains the cabin rules of Wizz Air and Ryanair, how to choose a case that fits them, and how to pack so that you pay for nothing you did not plan to buy.

Airlines change their baggage rules often, sometimes between two bookings. Treat the figures below as the situation we last checked and confirm them on the carrier's website before you fly.

Cabin baggage rules on low-cost airlines

Low-cost airlines split cabin allowance into two tiers. The basic fare includes one small personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you. A larger cabin bag, usually up to 10 kg, is sold separately as a priority option. Staff at the gate measure bags, and the sizer is far less forgiving than a tape measure at home.

• Measure the whole bag. Wheels, handles and pockets count. A case that is 55 cm on the spec sheet can be longer once the wheels are included.
• Weigh it full. Priority allowances often come with a 10 kg limit, and the case itself uses part of it.
• Book the right tier. Buying priority at the airport usually costs more than adding it during booking.

Hand luggage limits: Wizz Air

On Wizz Air, passengers on a Basic fare may bring one small bag of 40 x 30 x 20 cm that fits under the seat. There is no stated weight limit for this bag, but you must be able to lift it unaided.

With WIZZ Priority you can also bring a larger cabin bag of up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm and 10 kg, together with the small bag, and you board earlier. Wizz Air checks sizes at the gate, so a case that is even slightly oversize is likely to be stopped.

Hand luggage limits: Ryanair

Standard ticket

Ryanair allows one small bag of 40 x 20 x 25 cm on a standard ticket. It must fit under the seat in front of you, and you must be able to lift it yourself.

Priority & Two Cabin Bags

Passengers who buy priority can add a larger cabin bag of up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg, in addition to the small bag. Priority places are limited per flight, so book them in advance rather than at the gate.

Quick comparison: what fits where

For other carriers on the same type of fare, see our guides to easyJet and Vueling.

Choosing the right luggage

The right bag is the one that passes the sizer and still leaves you weight to use. A heavy suitcase wastes the 10 kg allowance before you have packed a single shirt.

What to look for in a low-cost cabin case

• Low empty weight. Every kilogram of case is a kilogram of clothes you cannot bring. Compare empty weights, not marketing claims.
• Hard sides. A rigid shell keeps its shape at the sizer and protects what is inside. A soft bag can be squeezed into a sizer, but it can also bulge.
• Durable material. Polypropylene, polycarbonate and high-performance polymers give strength at low weight. Our comparison of suitcase materials explains the differences.
• Honest dimensions. Check the external size, wheels included, against the airline's limit.

The Peli Air 1535 TRVL: a cabin case for the priority tier

The Peli Air 1535 TRVL measures 55.8 x 35.5 x 22.8 cm and weighs 4.7 kg empty. It has two integrated TSA-approved combination locks and four spinner wheels. It is built from Peli's HPX² polymer, which is why the case stays light while remaining waterproof and crushproof.

Be realistic about where it fits. It is a cabin case for the overhead locker, not an under-seat bag, and its 22.8 cm depth is above the 20 cm limit that some low-cost carriers apply. Its 55.8 cm length is also slightly over a strict 55 cm limit, so check the airline's rules before you book priority. On carriers that allow a larger cabin bag, it holds a lot of kit for its weight.

Which Peli model for which trip

The three colours of the 1535TRVL share the same specification. Choose by colour and by price. If you want a configurable interior instead of a travel suitcase, the Peli Air 1535 Carry-On Case is the equipment-case version.

How the material affects weight

Material is the biggest lever on empty weight after size. Polypropylene is light and flexible. Peli's HPX² resin is the polymer used in the Air range, designed to stay light and resist impacts. Paying more for a lighter case pays back quickly if it keeps you under a weight limit.

Techniques for packing a small suitcase

With a low-cost fare you pack to a size and a weight, not to your wishes. These methods work on any bag.

Minimalist approach

• Limit items to the essentials. One versatile pair of shoes beats three pairs for different occasions.
• Choose clothes that mix. A light jacket that works for a city walk and for dinner, trousers that dress up or down.
• Write a list and stick to it. Anything not on the list stays at home.

Practical techniques

• Rolling. Rolling saves space and reduces creases, especially for T-shirts and light trousers.
• Vacuum bags. Useful for bulky items such as jackets. Remember that they save volume, not weight.
• Compression bags. Easier than vacuum bags because they need no pump. Roll the bag to push the air out.
• Heavy items on the wheel side. Shoes and books at the base keep the case balanced on its wheels.

For a longer trip in one cabin bag, our guide on packing three weeks in one carry-on shows how photographers keep weight under control.

Cosmetics and liquids: the security rules

Liquids in cabin baggage are limited by security rules, and these apply to every airline, low-cost or not.

Limits on liquids

• 100 ml per container. This covers drinks, creams, gels, toothpaste, perfume and aerosols.
• One transparent resealable bag of 1 litre. One bag per passenger, shown at security.

What to take

• Miniatures or refillable travel bottles for the products you use every day.
• Multi-purpose products such as a moisturiser with an SPF filter, or a shampoo bar that does not count as a liquid.
• Buy on arrival if you are staying for a week or more. It saves space on the way out.

When to pay for checked baggage

Paying for a checked bag is sometimes cheaper than squeezing everything into a cabin bag. It is a decision to make at booking, when the price is lowest.

When it is worth it

• Longer trips, especially in cold months when clothes are bulky.
• Travelling with children, who need more space for their belongings.
• Planned shopping. Pre-pay for the return flight instead of buying at the airport.
• Sports equipment, such as skis or a bicycle, which cannot go in the cabin.

Valuables and electronics

• Keep valuables in the cabin. Jewellery, documents, money, laptops, tablets and cameras belong in your carry-on. Recovering their value after a loss is difficult.
• Declare large items at booking. Sports equipment must be added to the reservation, and fees and weight limits differ by airline.
• Check weight limits for heavy kit. Professional camera equipment can exceed a cabin allowance on its own.

A hard checked case is also less likely to arrive damaged. Our article on suitcase wheels explains which part of a case fails first.

More ways to avoid fees

Wear layers

Airlines weigh the bag, not you. Wearing your jacket, hoodie or sweater on board takes the heaviest clothing out of the suitcase. Pockets carry a phone, a wallet and documents.

Use your personal bag fully

The free personal item is part of your allowance, so use all of it.

• Electronics: laptop, tablet, camera or power bank, which are heavy and shouldn't be in checked baggage anyway.
• Small, bulky items: documents, books and chargers.
• Liquids: the transparent bag fits easily inside a personal bag.
• Bought after security: a bottle of water or food from the terminal is not counted as baggage.

Packing checklist for low-cost flights

1. Check the current rules of your airline and your fare tier.
2. Choose a light, hard-sided case whose external size, wheels included, fits the limit.
3. Pack to a list and weigh the case before you leave home.
4. Put liquids in a 1-litre transparent bag, 100 ml containers only.
5. Wear your heaviest clothes and put electronics and valuables in the personal bag.
6. Decide at booking whether a checked bag is cheaper than priority.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a standard cabin suitcase on a basic Ryanair or Wizz Air ticket?

No. The basic fare covers only the small under-seat bag. A larger cabin case needs the priority option or a paid bag, and the size limits for it are 55 x 40 x 20 cm (Ryanair) and 55 x 40 x 23 cm (Wizz Air).

Is the Peli Air 1535TRVL accepted as cabin baggage on these airlines?

It measures 55.8 x 35.5 x 22.8 cm, which is slightly over the 55 cm length limit and, in depth, over 20 cm. It suits airlines with a larger cabin allowance. Check the airline's rules and, if you plan to use it with Ryanair or Wizz Air, test it at their sizer.

How much weight can I take in the cabin?

The larger priority cabin bag is limited to 10 kg on both airlines. The small under-seat bag has no stated weight limit, but you must be able to lift it yourself.

Do the airlines really measure bags?

Yes. Wizz Air in particular checks sizes at the gate, and an oversize bag is charged. Measure your bag with its wheels before you leave home.

Do you know how to pack for low-cost airlines?

Low-cost travel is cheap when you prepare for it. The points to keep in mind:

• Know the airline's baggage policy, including the priority option, before you book.
• Choose a lightweight, durable case that meets the size requirements.
• Use compact packing techniques such as rolling and compression bags.
• Follow the liquid rules: 100 ml containers in a 1-litre transparent bag.
• Buy checked baggage when it is cheaper than limiting yourself.
• Use the personal bag for electronics, documents and snacks.

Planning ahead means less stress at the airport and no unplanned cost. For the next trip, see our guide to baggage surprises on turboprop and regional flights.