Backpack as hand luggage: sizes, rules and tips

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If you are flying with only a backpack as hand luggage, you want to be sure your bag fits in the overhead compartment or under the seat. Rules vary by airline and even by fare, so choosing the wrong size can lead to unnecessary extra costs. In this guide, you will find the key dimensions for each airline, practical tips for choosing the right backpack as hand luggage and specific ByMetz suggestions that match the common sizes exactly. Whether you are flying with Ryanair, KLM, Transavia, TUI, Wizz Air, Vueling or Corendon, the right size and layout help you travel lighter, faster and without surprises. Looking for an under-seat model? Check the 40x30x20 Hand Luggage (personal item) collection.

Allowed dimensions per airline

The guideline sizes below help you choose right away. Please note: conditions and fares change regularly. Always check the current rules with your airline, especially if you want to take an additional or larger piece of hand luggage.

If you are flying with Ryanair, never confuse the categories: the free small personal bag is 40 x 30 x 20 cm, while the 10 kg cabin bag is 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Checked luggage has different maximum dimensions. If you buy a larger cabin item with another airline, the sizes in the table apply to the overhead compartment. Want to be sure your bag fits under the seat? Also check our Underseaters. Not sure whether your backpack meets standard cabin requirements? Take a look at 55x40x20 Hand Luggage (cabin size). For a clear explanation of the rules and allowed dimensions, read our Hand Luggage Dimensions: Complete Guide.

Why 35-40 litres is often the best choice

A backpack of around 35-40 litres makes the most of the permitted cabin dimensions without becoming overstuffed. Capacity is not everything, but as a rule of thumb, 35-40L fits well within 55 x 35 x 25 or 55 x 40 x 20 cm. It gives you enough room for 3-5 outfits, toiletries in a 1-litre bag, shoes and a 13-15,6 inch laptop. Choose a hand luggage backpack with a suitcase-style opening, internal compression and a laptop compartment at the back, and you can pack more neatly and get through security faster. For Ryanair’s small personal bag, 20-25L is more realistic. It goes under the seat and is ideal for ultralight city trips. For compact options that can often be used as hand luggage, check our Day Backpacks for Travel.

Travel pack or trekking backpack?

A travel pack is designed with cabin travel in mind: a rectangular profile, suitcase-style opening all around, internal compression straps, multiple organisation compartments and often a coverable carrying system. You make better use of every square centimetre, which is crucial with 40 x 30 x 20 or 55 x 35 x 25 cm. Packing and unpacking is also similar to using a suitcase.

A trekking backpack is optimised for carrying comfort on trails: rounder shapes, top-loading access and external webbing. It is excellent for hikes, but less efficient in an overhead bin and often more difficult at security because you have to dig around from the top. If you mainly fly and take city or business trips, choose a travel pack. If you are planning a mountain trek and only fly there and back, a well-compressible trekking backpack can work. Tip: use packing cubes and fill empty spaces. This makes it easier to meet strict airline dimensions and keeps your backpack in shape as hand luggage. Want to combine the convenience of wheels with the option to carry your bag? Consider a Wheeled Backpack.

What to look for when choosing a hand luggage backpack

• Size and shape: matched to your airline and fare. Straight corners make better use of the available dimensions than rounded shapes.
• Weight: the lighter the bag, the more weight remains for your belongings.
• Access: a suitcase-style opening all around is fastest at security and in the hotel.
• Laptop compartment: suitable for 13-18 inch laptops, preferably separate and padded.
• Organisation: front compartments for cables, liquids and travel documents.
• Compression: internal straps or external straps to reduce volume.
• Carrying comfort: adjustable shoulder straps, a chest strap and, if needed, a hip belt.
• Material: water-repellent, sturdy zips and lock-friendly zip pulls.

Can you take a suitcase and backpack as hand luggage?

That depends on the airline and your ticket. These are some common situations:

• Ryanair: normally only a small personal bag of 40 x 30 x 20 cm. If you want an additional cabin bag in the overhead compartment, choose Priority with a 10 kg cabin bag measuring 55 x 40 x 20 cm. A trolley plus a separate backpack is only allowed if one item fits exactly into the small personal bag category and the other is your 10 kg cabin bag.
• KLM: often 1 piece of hand luggage measuring 55 x 35 x 25 cm plus 1 accessory measuring 40 x 30 x 15 cm. A small backpack can be used as the accessory, while your trolley or larger backpack serves as the main piece of hand luggage.
• Transavia: small item measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm under the seat. A larger cabin item measuring 55 x 35 x 25 cm may be available for an extra fee or included in a bundle. Combining items is only possible within your fare.
• Wizz Air: free small personal bag measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm. With WIZZ Priority, this is accompanied by 1 cabin bag measuring 55 x 40 x 23 cm.
• TUI, Vueling, easyJet, Corendon: policies vary by fare. Check whether you may bring a small item in addition to your cabin bag and which size applies.

Key rule: you may only bring two pieces if your fare allows it and each piece falls within the correct category dimensions.

Best backpack as hand luggage by airline: ByMetz choices

• Ryanair small personal bag 40 x 30 x 20 cm: ByMetz 40x30x20 Hand Luggage Backpack. It fits under the seat and has a 14 inch laptop compartment and USB port.
• Ryanair 10 kg cabin bag 55 x 40 x 20 cm: ByMetz 55x40x20 Hand Luggage Backpack, expandable to 55 x 40 x 25 cm for airlines that allow 25 cm. Use 55 x 40 x 20 cm for Ryanair.
• KLM 55 x 35 x 25 cm + accessory 40 x 30 x 15 cm: ByMetz 55x35x25 Hand Luggage Backpack for your main item and the ByMetz 40x30x15 → 40x30x20 as a compressed accessory.
• Transavia 55 x 35 x 25 cm or 40 x 30 x 20 cm: choose the ByMetz 55x35x25 for the overhead compartment or the ByMetz 40x30x20 for under the seat.
• Corendon 55 x 40 x 25 cm: ByMetz 3-WAY Boarding Bag 55x40x25. Carry it as a backpack, shoulder bag or handbag.
• Wizz Air Priority 55 x 40 x 23 cm: the ByMetz 55x40x20 Hand Luggage Backpack stays within the size limit and makes optimal use of the available height.
• Flexible between airlines: the ByMetz 55x40x20 expandable to 55x40x25 and the ByMetz 40x30x15 → 40x30x20 give you flexibility between stricter and more generous rules without buying a new bag.

Pack like a pro: quick tips

• Use 2-3 packing cubes: shirts with shirts and underwear separately. This keeps the shape neat for under-seat storage or the overhead compartment.
• Place liquids in a transparent 1-litre bag in the front compartment for quick security checks.
• Put your laptop close to the back panel in a padded compartment and place heavy items at the bottom against your back.
• Tighten internal compression straps and use external straps sparingly so you do not exceed the outside dimensions.
• Keep charging cables in a cable organiser, and your passport and boarding pass in a separate, easily accessible compartment.

FAQ

Can you take a backpack as hand luggage?

Yes, you can take a backpack as hand luggage as long as it falls within the dimensions allowed by your airline and fare. With Ryanair, the free small personal bag is 40 x 30 x 20 cm. You need Priority for an additional 10 kg cabin bag measuring 55 x 40 x 20 cm. KLM and Transavia use different dimensions for main hand luggage and any accessory.

Does a backpack count as hand luggage or as an accessory with KLM?

With KLM, you can generally take 1 piece of hand luggage measuring 55 x 35 x 25 cm plus 1 accessory measuring 40 x 30 x 15 cm. A small backpack can therefore count as an accessory if it remains within 40 x 30 x 15 cm. Your main piece of hand luggage can then be a larger backpack or trolley within 55 x 35 x 25 cm. Check your ticket type for any exceptions.

Can you take a suitcase and backpack as hand luggage with Transavia and Ryanair?

Transavia: a small item measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm is usually included, while a larger cabin bag measuring 55 x 35 x 25 cm may be available for an extra fee. Ryanair: normally only 40 x 30 x 20 cm, while an additional 55 x 40 x 20 cm 10 kg cabin bag is available with Priority. Two pieces are therefore only allowed if each item meets the dimensions of the correct category and your fare allows it.

Is a trekking backpack allowed as a backpack for hand luggage?

Yes, as long as the outside dimensions remain within the limits and nothing sticks out. In practice, a travel pack is more convenient: rectangular shape, suitcase-style opening and internal compression. When using a trekking backpack, use packing cubes and external straps as little as possible so you do not exceed 55 x 35 x 25 or 55 x 40 x 20 cm.

How many litres fit in 55 x 40 x 20 or 55 x 35 x 25?

Depending on the shape and padding, you get around 35-45 litres of usable capacity. A streamlined travel pack without thick frames holds more litres within the same dimensions than a round-shaped trekking backpack. For Ryanair’s small personal bag measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm, you can often expect 20-25 litres.