Luggage on RyanAir
 

Hello all! Thanks to everyone's suggestions, I have finalized almost all of my travel plans. We'll be flying from London Stansted to Venice with Ryanair. However, I failed to check the baggage allowance while booking my reservations, and while I hate to admit this, I normally bring one 30 inch suitcase with me on all trips usually weighing in around 50 lbs!!

Thus, I'm going to be shopping for some new luggage and was wondering if anyone had good advice. We'll be traveling from July 5th- July 19th so 15 days/14 nights in Venice, Rome, Florence, and Paris. We are each allowed one checked bag weighing no more than 33lbs/ 15 kilos and one carry on weighing no more than 15 lbs/ 7 kilos (20 X 14 x 9.)

Does anyone have a roundabout idea which size of wheeled luggage would hold 33 lbs so as not to go over. Also, if anyone can recommend a specific type of luggage that works for them, I would appreciate it! I would like to find a wheeled upright + a carry-on that can be attached to one another while in transit.

I had a 27 inch Samsonite wheeled case which was 19kg (4kg over the limit) when I flew in May. Note that if you are traveling with someone and then tend to pack light, you can have them combine your weights and use your partner's difference to get yours under the limit. They don't check the carryons, at least out of Dublin and Edinburgh.

One of the most overlooked important things to do (in controlling luggage weight) is to start with luggage that is lightweight empty.

I frequently preach the following advice:

1. Your largest bag should be a "rollaboard" (22" or perferably 21") and should not weight more than 7-8 pounds when empty.

2. Your carryon can be almost as big (in volume) but it should not weight more than eight OUNCES when empty. This means a nylon small-medium size duffel. Totally "squishable" for car trunks or train compartments where you might not be able to fit a more "rigid" bag of the exact same size.

I also have "rules" about how heavy is "too heavy" but they have more to do with what you can carry, roll and lift - - so not as (universally) relevant to your need to avoid a luggage penalty.

Best wishes,

Rex

I traveled on Ryanair in March 2000 with a friend. HIs rolling duffle bag weight about 50 pounds (he had bought a lot of books) while my bag was less than 10 pounds. We had them weighed together and he did not have to pay for excess.

BigTyke & AmyB- Thanks for that information... My boyfriend will be traveling with me so knowing that they only count the combined weight helps me greatly :) So the general consensus is that they don't really check the weights of the carry on luggage?

I'm going to take Rex's advice and bring a rollaboard + a soft carry on. Although I may opt for a 24 inch rollaboard. Rex, feel free to share your wisdom on how much is too much ;)

Ahhhh! One more thing. In the U.S., they allow you to take one carry-on and one personal item. Does this apply on RyanAir i.e. Can I still bring my purse as well as a duffel carry-on? My beau will be bringing the video camera case, so we're wondering if he can also bring a carry-on in addition (the camera bag is the size of a large woman's handbag.)

Thanks again! I'm really looking forward to this trip, and this board has been invaluable.

I think they may be more strict (on checking the weight of carryons?) with flights originating at Stansted. All the other airports are very laid back - - at least the ones I have been to: Beauvais, Graz, Prestwick.

They were strict in the weight and carryon issues in Dublin. They did not weigh the carryon in either place, but they did eyeball it when I got on in Dublin. In Edinburgh they hardly batted an eye at either the weight of our combined luggage or what we carried on. So I was allowed only my carryon in Dublin but brought carryon and purse in Edinburgh. My friend who lives in Dublin said it was because they are "real" RyanAir employees checking you in in Dublin but rented airport crew in Edinburgh (not official airline employees).