Choosing between Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air? The first fare you see rarely shows the full cost of the trip. Use the baggage comparison and the same-trip price checklist below to find the option that fits your journey.
This article focuses on three common choices for European short-haul flights. For more about each carrier, see our Ryanair review, easyJet review and Wizz Air review. For a wider shortlist, browse the Compare Airlines guide.
Ryanair vs easyJet vs Wizz Air: baggage rules at a glance
| Airline | Bag included with a basic fare | Larger cabin bag option | Checked bag on a basic fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | One under-seat bag, 40 × 30 × 20 cm | With Priority & 2 Cabin Bags: an additional 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg bag | Add separately |
| easyJet | One under-seat bag, 45 × 36 × 20 cm, up to 15 kg | Add or obtain through an eligible fare or membership: 56 × 45 × 25 cm, up to 15 kg | Add separately |
| Wizz Air | One under-seat bag, 40 × 30 × 20 cm, up to 10 kg | With WIZZ Priority: an additional 55 × 40 × 23 cm, 10 kg trolley bag | Add separately |
These are the airlines' published allowances as checked on 27 October 2026. Ryanair's bag policy, easyJet's cabin-bag guide and Wizz Air's cabin-baggage guide are the sources for the sizes above. Fare bundles, availability and charges can change, so check the allowance shown for your booking before paying.
The difference between easyJet's 45 × 36 × 20 cm under-seat limit and the 40 × 30 × 20 cm limit at Ryanair and Wizz Air is meaningful if you travel with one bag. It does not mean every bag sold as “cabin size” qualifies: measure the actual bag, including handles and wheels where the airline requires it, and make sure it fits under the seat.
Compare the same trip, not three headline fares
To find the best value, open all three airlines for the same dates and route. If they use different airports, include the cost and time of getting to and from each one. Then add only the extras you will actually use:
- Cabin bag: Will your packed bag fit the free allowance? If not, price the overhead-bag option or the relevant bundle.
- Checked bag: Compare the same weight allowance, including both directions of a return trip.
- Seats: If you must sit together or want a particular seat, add the seat-selection cost. If you do not care where you sit, use the price without that extra.
- Airport transfer: A cheaper flight to a more distant airport may produce a more expensive door-to-door trip.
- Flight time: An early departure, late arrival or long transfer can change the value of a fare even when the ticket price is lower.
For a return trip, check both flight legs before deciding. Record the final amount per traveller, whether the same bag allowance applies in each direction, and any extra hotel night caused by flight times. If carriers use different airports, add each transfer separately. This makes the comparison useful even when search-result prices refresh.
Illustration, not a live fare quote: A €38 ticket plus a €24 bag, €12 seat and €17 airport transfer totals €91. A €54 ticket that already fits your bag, with no seat purchase and an €8 transfer, totals €62. Compare the amount payable for the trip you intend to take, rather than the first number in a search result.
The short answer: No airline is always cheapest. easyJet allows the largest free under-seat bag of the three (45 × 36 × 20 cm); Ryanair and Wizz Air allow 40 × 30 × 20 cm. If you need an overhead bag, seats or checked luggage, compare the final price for the same route, dates and airports.
For ways to search flexible dates and routes, see Explorelio's guide to finding cheap flights. Its search tactics work best when you also check the extras at checkout.
Ryanair vs easyJet vs Wizz Air: which fits your trip?
You are travelling with one small bag
Start by measuring the bag you will pack. easyJet publishes the largest free under-seat dimensions of these three airlines. That can make it the simplest option for a light weekend trip when its flight times and total price work for you. Ryanair and Wizz Air have the same published free-bag dimensions, so compare their route, airport and final fare rather than expecting a baggage difference to decide it.
You need an overhead cabin bag
Do not compare basic fares. Price Ryanair Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, an easyJet large cabin bag or eligible fare, and WIZZ Priority for the same itinerary. easyJet's published large-cabin-bag limit is larger and heavier than the other two, but that only helps if the combined fare and bag price is competitive. Ryanair and Wizz Air bundle their second cabin bag with priority boarding; the precise price is shown during booking.
If an overhead option is unavailable on a flight, check whether a checked bag is a workable alternative. Ryanair specifically says that when Priority & 2 Cabin Bags sells out, a 10 kg check-in bag may still be available. A checked bag must be handed over before security, so it does not replace the convenience of carrying a cabin suitcase. Ryanair bag rules
You are travelling as a family or with checked luggage
Compare the total for every traveller and every flight leg. A bundle may be better value than buying each bag and seat separately, but the answer depends on the live offer. Check the bag weight, whether chosen seats are included, and where you will arrive. Wizz Air and Ryanair say their basic fares do not include checked baggage. With easyJet, check whether hold luggage is included in the fare or bundle you select; otherwise, add it to your comparison. Wizz checked-baggage rules · Ryanair fare bundles · easyJet baggage guide
A simple decision rule
Choose the flight with the best door-to-door value for your own trip:
Ticket + required bags + required seats + airport transfers = comparable trip cost.
The Ryanair vs easyJet vs Wizz Air decision changes with your route, departure time, arrival airport and flexibility needs. One carrier can be the best choice on one route and the worst value on another. Compare the live offer for your dates before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the biggest free cabin bag: Ryanair, easyJet or Wizz Air?
easyJet has the largest published free under-seat size of the three: 45 × 36 × 20 cm. Ryanair and Wizz Air each publish 40 × 30 × 20 cm. The bag must still meet the airline’s weight rules, fit the size gauge where required and fit under the seat.
Does a basic ticket include an overhead cabin suitcase?
Do not assume so. The basic allowance at all three airlines is an under-seat bag. A larger cabin bag requires an eligible paid option, fare or membership. Check the booking summary because the exact product and availability differ by airline and flight.
Which airline is cheapest after baggage fees?
There is no fixed winner. Bag and fare prices vary by route, date and booking. Compare the final checkout total with the same luggage allowance on each airline, plus any seat and airport-transfer costs that matter to you.
How can I avoid a surprise bag charge at the gate?
Measure your packed bag before departure, check the allowance on your booking, and add any required luggage online in advance. A bag that exceeds the allowance may be placed in the hold for a fee. See each airline’s linked official policy above for the current terms.
Editorial method: This comparison uses the airlines' own published baggage and fare rules, checked 27 October 2026. It does not claim to test the airlines or quote live ticket prices.
