Transavia hand luggage dimensions: rules, sizes and tips
- · Updated on , by Miquell Hellings
- 10 min read
Are you flying with Transavia? You can take one piece of hand luggage measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg. It must fit under the seat in front of you. If you also want to take a trolley in the overhead locker, you can book extra cabin baggage measuring up to 55 x 40 x 25 cm. Dimensions always include wheels and handles. Measure and weigh your bag at home to avoid gate fees, and choose a bag that fits exactly within the Transavia hand luggage size. Want to compare all rules and dimensions for each airline? Check the complete guide to hand luggage dimensions by airline.
| Type of baggage | Dimensions | Weight | Place on the aircraft | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free small hand luggage | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | max. 10 kg (combined) | Under the seat | Included as standard |
| Extra cabin baggage | 55 x 40 x 25 cm | max. 10 kg (combined) | Overhead locker | Must be booked separately |
Free hand luggage: 40 x 30 x 20 cm and 10 kg
Free hand luggage with Transavia is an underseater, compact backpack, handbag or laptop bag with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 20 cm. These dimensions apply to the outside, including handles, front pockets and other fixed parts. You place the bag under the seat in front of you. Transavia also calls this the basic bag. If you search for "transavia handbagage 40x30x20 basic bag", this is exactly the piece of baggage you are looking for.
- Maximum dimensions: 40 x 30 x 20 cm
- Maximum weight: 10 kg, together with any extra cabin baggage booked
- Placement: under the seat in front of you
- Examples: small backpack, handbag, compact travel bag or laptop bag
Small extras such as an umbrella, a walking stick and one duty-free bag are allowed. A bag with smart compartments is practical, so travel documents, liquids and electronics are easy to access. Looking for a suitable bag? Check out our selection of 40x30x20 hand luggage, which meets the Transavia size requirements exactly. Prefer flexibility? An expandable laptop bag or backpack that can go from 40 x 30 x 15 to 40 x 30 x 20 cm is ideal when you sometimes need less and sometimes more space.
Book extra cabin baggage measuring 55 x 40 x 25 cm
If you want to take a trolley or cabin bag in the overhead locker, book extra cabin baggage. The permitted size is 55 x 40 x 25 cm, including wheels and handles. The maximum weight of 10 kg applies to your total hand luggage, so the small bag and trolley together. This option usually includes Priority Boarding and gives you more certainty of a place in the overhead locker, but availability is limited. Book in good time to avoid disappointment. You can find suitable trolleys in our hand luggage suitcases.
For a city trip, weekend away or short business trip, the free 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag is often enough. For longer trips, or if you are taking extra shoes, jackets or larger items, booking cabin baggage makes more sense. Read about the difference between the small bag under the seat and larger cabin baggage in underseat versus hand luggage.
Is a trolley considered hand luggage with Transavia?
A trolley can be hand luggage, but usually not as a free 40x30x20 bag. Most trolleys are larger than this size and therefore count as extra cabin baggage. Only if your trolley actually stays within 40 x 30 x 20 cm can you take it as free hand luggage. If you only want to take free hand luggage, a compact backpack or soft hand luggage bag is often the smartest choice. If you are travelling with a trolley, always check the outside dimensions, including wheels and handles. These parts are often what makes a suitcase exceed the permitted size.
How strict is Transavia with hand luggage?
Transavia checks hand luggage for size, number of pieces and weight, using sizers and sometimes scales. This is monitored especially closely on busy flights and at the gate. So do not rely on a bag that is just slightly too large or only fits the dimensions when empty.
A soft bag is a little more flexible than a hard suitcase, but this does not change the rule. A bag that is packed too full can still exceed the permitted dimensions. That is why many travellers choose a hand luggage bag or backpack specifically designed for use under the seat. If your baggage is rejected, it will go into the hold and you will pay a surcharge. Compare the rules of other airlines in the overview of 40x30x20 rules by airline.
Avoid gate-checking and extra costs
If your bag does not fit in the sizer or is too heavy, Transavia may charge a gate fee starting at approximately €70 and your baggage will go into the hold. Extra costs are usually caused by three things: a bag that is too large, a bag that is too heavy, or more pieces of baggage than allowed. Therefore, check the following at home:
- Measure your bag on the outside, including handles and protruding parts.
- Weigh the bag when fully packed, for example with a luggage scale.
- Check that you are taking only one free piece of baggage.
- Make sure the bag is still compact enough to fit under the seat.
Keep electronics and lithium batteries, such as power banks, in your hand luggage and not in checked baggage. Pack heavy items compactly and distribute the weight wisely so you stay under 10 kg. Packing cubes help you pack more efficiently.
Which bag is suitable for Transavia: travel bag, backpack or laptop bag?
A good Transavia bag is not only about having the right dimensions. Its shape, compartments and material also determine how comfortably you travel. A smart underseater makes good use of the available space and slides easily under the seat. Look for:
- Exactly 40 x 30 x 20 cm or safely within these dimensions
- Lightweight, so you have more weight available for your belongings
- Flexible material for easy packing
- Strong zips and handles
- Useful compartments for your passport, charger and small essentials
- Comfortable carrying options, such as a shoulder strap or backpack straps
40x30x20 travel bag
A travel bag is ideal if you want a wide opening and to be able to pack quickly. For a short holiday or weekend trip, this is often the easiest choice.
40x30x20 backpack
A backpack is useful if you walk a lot at the airport or during a city trip. It keeps your hands free and distributes the weight more comfortably. Check out our hand luggage backpacks.
Expandable laptop bag
An expandable bag is useful if you fly with different airlines. A model that expands from 40 x 30 x 15 cm to 40 x 30 x 20 cm gives you extra flexibility, as long as you stay within the maximum 40 x 30 x 20 cm allowed by Transavia.
Pack smartly for small hand luggage
With the right approach, you can take a surprising amount in a compact bag. This is how you travel without checked baggage on a short trip:
- Roll your clothes instead of folding them.
- Wear your thickest shoes and jacket while travelling.
- Use small packing cubes or bags.
- Only take travel-size toiletries.
- Keep chargers and documents in a separate front pocket.
- Do not overfill the bag.
That last point is especially important. A soft bag that officially measures 40 x 30 x 20 cm can still look too large or no longer fit properly under the seat if it is overpacked. Pack compactly and leave some room to spare. Want to know exactly what fits in this size? Read what fits in 40x30x20 hand luggage.
Which trips are suitable for 40 x 30 x 20?
The free bag is especially suitable for short and efficient trips: a weekend away, short business trip, city trip or one-night stay. If you do not need much at your destination or can easily do some laundry, this size is often more than enough. If you are going away for longer, travelling in winter or taking lots of shoes, accessories or electronics, you will reach the limits of this size more quickly. In that case, extra cabin baggage or checked baggage is more practical.
Are you also flying with Ryanair, Vueling or Wizz Air? They use the same 40 x 30 x 20 cm size for the free bag, so one good bag works for all four airlines. Check the guides for Ryanair, Vueling and Wizz Air.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is 40 x 30 x 20 hand luggage?
This is the maximum size of your free item with Transavia, including wheels and handles. Think of underseaters, laptop bags and compact backpacks that fit under the seat. The bag may weigh up to 10 kg.
How large can a trolley be as hand luggage?
For the overhead locker, Transavia allows a maximum of 55 x 40 x 25 cm. This size only applies if you book extra cabin baggage. Without this option, you cannot take your trolley in the overhead locker.
What is the difference between hand luggage and cabin baggage with Transavia?
Hand luggage is the free 40 x 30 x 20 cm item that goes under the seat. Cabin baggage is the extra, paid 55 x 40 x 25 cm item for the overhead locker. The combined weight remains 10 kg.
Can I take a backpack as Transavia hand luggage?
Yes, as long as the backpack is no larger than 40 x 30 x 20 cm and fits under the seat. A compact backpack is one of the most popular choices for free hand luggage.
Do the dimensions include wheels and handles?
Yes. When measuring, use the outside dimensions, including fixed parts such as handles and front pockets, and the wheels in the case of suitcases.
How many kilos can Transavia hand luggage weigh?
Hand luggage may weigh a maximum of 10 kg in total. This is plenty for a short trip, but it is still smart to choose a lightweight bag so you have more useful space for your belongings.
How strict is Transavia with hand luggage?
Bags are checked with sizers and are sometimes weighed. If your bag exceeds 40 x 30 x 20 cm or no extra cabin baggage has been booked, it may be gate-checked for an additional fee. Make sure your bag clearly fits within the permitted size.
Looking for a bag that is guaranteed to fit the dimensions and is smartly organised for Transavia? Check out our 40x30x20 hand luggage, underseaters and hand luggage backpacks. ByMetz has been selling bags and suitcases for 50 years and is an official dealer offering full warranty and a 30-day return period.