It can be hard to track down exact information about the luggage limitations on low-cost carriers. They do their absolute best to hide it deep in the bowels of their websites. But knowledge is power (and more often than not, serious money), fellow travelers!
Here, for your edification, are the luggage rules and prices (as of mid-September 2013) for a number of Europe’s largest discount airlines. This information is provided as-is, pulled from each airline’s website. For each carrier, we’ve included a link to their full rules—be sure to double check their policies to make sure they haven’t changed in the meantime. (If you discover such a change, please leave us a note in the comments so we can correct the chart.)
And away we go!
Airline | Carry-on weight limit | Other carry-on limitations | Carry-on measurements | Cost of first checked bag | Checked bag weight limit |
Ryanair | 10 kg | One bag only | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 15-25€ at time of booking, 20-30€ online, 60-100€ at airport | 20 kg |
EasyJet | No weight restriction, must be able to lift unassisted | Only 50 x 40 x 20 cm carry-on bags guaranteed not to be gate checked; + coat, umbrella, 1 duty-free bag | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | 20€ anytime online, 25-40€ at airport | 20 kg |
airberlin | JustFly 8 kg | Must be weighed at airport counter and have tag! | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | JustFly15€ online, 70€ at airport | 23 kg |
Germanwings | 8 kg | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 12.50€ online, 25€ at airport; Smart or Best fares included | 23 kg | |
WIZZ! | Smaller than 42 x 32 x 25 cm FREE | Anything up to 56 x 45 x 25 10-20€ | See left | Varies by country; check website! | |
Norwegian | 10 kg | + small personal item | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | 6-20€ online, depending on flight length; 14-37€ at airport; flex or premium included | 20 kg |
Vueling | 10 kg | + small personal item; excellence 14 kg | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 12-25€ online, 35€ at airport; optima or excellence included | 23 kg |
Transavia | 10 kg | One bag only; 40 x 30 x 20 cm on-board guarantee | 55 x 35 x 25 cm | 1€/kg, from 15€, booked online; 30-110€ at airport | 23 kg |