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EasyJet operates a tiered cabin bag system similar to Ryanair but with slightly more generous dimensions and marginally less aggressive enforcement. The free allowance — a "small cabin bag" up to 45 × 36 × 20 cm — is bigger than Ryanair's personal item, making it possible to carry a proper 25–30L backpack without paying extra if you choose the right bag. For anything larger, you'll need their paid overhead bin cabin bag upgrade.
EasyJet's enforcement sits between Ryanair (very strict) and legacy carriers (lenient). They check bags, but not as systematically. Understanding which airports and routes are stricter helps you decide whether to risk a borderline bag or invest in the upgrade. This guide covers every common backpack size and how it interacts with EasyJet's system.
Last updated: May 2026
EasyJet uses a two-tier system that's conceptually similar to Ryanair but with different dimensions and pricing:
Small cabin bag (free, all tickets): One bag up to 45 × 36 × 20 cm that fits under the seat in front of you. This is notably more generous than Ryanair's free personal item (40 × 20 × 25 cm) — EasyJet gives you more height and width, making it possible to carry a legitimate small backpack for free. The 20 cm depth remains the limiting factor.
Large cabin bag (paid upgrade): One bag up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm in the overhead bin, plus the small cabin bag. This is available through fare bundles (Up Front, Extra Legroom, FLEXI) or as a standalone add-on. The upgrade costs £6–15 per flight depending on route and how far in advance you purchase. At the gate, the fee jumps to £29–48.
Key difference from Ryanair: EasyJet's free small cabin bag (45 × 36 × 20 cm) is considerably more useful than Ryanair's personal item (40 × 20 × 25 cm). The taller height (45 cm vs. 40 cm) and wider width (36 cm vs. 20 cm) mean many properly-designed 25–28L backpacks fit EasyJet's free tier without needing the paid upgrade. This makes EasyJet meaningfully more backpack-friendly than Ryanair for budget travelers.
EasyJet Plus members: EasyJet Plus cardholders (annual subscription) get the overhead cabin bag included automatically, plus priority boarding. If you fly EasyJet more than 3–4 times per year, the membership often pays for itself through included cabin bag upgrades alone.
A 25L backpack is the sweet spot for EasyJet's free small cabin bag allowance. Many 25L designs fit within the 45 × 36 × 20 cm limit — particularly those with slim profiles, no protruding hip belts, and flat back panels. This means you can carry a proper travel backpack on EasyJet without paying for the overhead bin upgrade, which isn't possible on Ryanair at the same size.
The critical dimension remains depth (20 cm). A 25L backpack with compression straps pulled tight and a flat profile will pass. A 25L backpack with a rounded profile, stuffed front pocket, or hip belt padding may exceed 20 cm when packed. For weekend city trips (1–3 nights) with disciplined packing, a free-tier 25L on EasyJet works beautifully.
Check if 25L fits your EasyJet trip →
A 30L backpack sits on the boundary between EasyJet's free and paid tiers. A handful of slim-profile 30L designs can technically fit within 45 × 36 × 20 cm if packed carefully and compressed fully. However, most 30L bags will exceed the 20 cm depth when loaded for a real trip. This makes 30L the size where purchasing the overhead bin upgrade becomes the pragmatic choice.
With the cabin bag upgrade, a 30L backpack fits easily within EasyJet's overhead limit (56 × 45 × 25 cm) and handles 3–5 day European trips comfortably. The £6–8 online upgrade cost is significantly cheaper than the gate fee you'd face if your 30L bag fails the under-seat sizer check.
Check if 30L fits your EasyJet trip →
A 35L backpack definitively requires EasyJet's paid cabin bag upgrade — it won't fit the free small cabin bag sizer under any realistic packing scenario. With the upgrade, a 35L fits within the overhead limit (56 × 45 × 25 cm) and provides solid capacity for 4–6 day trips. This is the practical sweet spot for EasyJet travelers who purchase the overhead cabin bag add-on.
At 35L on EasyJet, bag shape starts to matter for the overhead sizer. Flat-profile travel packs fit cleanly. Round-profile hiking bags may push the 25 cm depth limit when fully loaded. Stick with travel-oriented backpacks designed for airline compliance, and use compression straps to keep the profile slim during boarding.
Check if 35L fits your EasyJet trip →
A 40L backpack is the practical ceiling for EasyJet's overhead cabin bag allowance. Travel-specific 40L packs designed to airline dimensions (flat profile, no protruding features) fit within the 56 × 45 × 25 cm limit with minimal margin. Standard hiking or outdoor 40L packs will often exceed the depth limit when fully packed.
This is the one-bag traveler's maximum on EasyJet for week-long trips. You need the paid cabin bag upgrade, a properly designed airline-compliant bag, and disciplined packing. The overhead bin upgrade is mandatory, and you should expect gate staff to occasionally ask you to demonstrate the bag fits — especially at UK airports during peak season.
Check if 40L fits your EasyJet trip →
A 45L backpack exceeds EasyJet's overhead cabin bag dimensions under realistic packing conditions. Even airline-optimized 45L designs typically push past the 25 cm depth and 56 cm height limits when loaded for travel. At this size, your options are checking the bag (£15–30 online) or choosing a different bag for EasyJet flights.
Some travelers use a 45L backpack as their primary travel pack on US airlines (where limits are more generous) and switch to a smaller bag for EasyJet legs of a trip. If you're committed to 45L for all flights, pre-booking a hold bag on EasyJet is straightforward and avoids any gate surprises. The hold bag allowance is up to 23 kg, giving you plenty of weight headroom at 45L.
EasyJet's enforcement is moderate — stricter than US carriers but less aggressive than Ryanair's systematic approach:
Bag sizers present but not always used: EasyJet has bag sizers at gates, but gate staff don't systematically direct every passenger to test their bag. Checks tend to be triggered by bags that visually appear oversized, or during high-traffic boarding periods. If your bag looks roughly correct, you'll often board without being tested.
UK airports are stricter: Gatwick, Luton, Bristol, and Edinburgh tend to enforce cabin bag rules more consistently than Southern European airports. If you're departing from a UK base, assume your bag will be checked. Departing from Barcelona, Nice, or Naples — enforcement is noticeably more relaxed.
Peak vs. off-peak: Summer holiday periods (June–September) and school half-terms see tighter enforcement as flights are fuller and bin space is contested. Winter off-peak flights are more lenient — gate staff are less inclined to check when the plane isn't full and bins have space.
Small cabin bag enforcement: Gate staff primarily check passengers without the paid overhead upgrade who are carrying bags that appear too large for under-seat placement. If you have the overhead cabin bag upgrade (visible on your boarding pass), gate agents focus less on your bag dimensions — the assumption is you've paid for the larger allowance.
When the free tier works: For 1–3 night trips with a slim 25L or under backpack, EasyJet's free small cabin bag works without paying extra. Choose a bag with a flat profile and use compression straps. Pack light — one outfit change, minimal toiletries, a phone charger. This is more viable on EasyJet than Ryanair thanks to the larger free dimensions (45 × 36 × 20 cm vs. Ryanair's 40 × 20 × 25 cm).
When to buy the overhead upgrade: Any trip where you need a 30L or larger backpack. Pre-purchasing the cabin bag upgrade online (£6–15 per flight) is dramatically cheaper than the gate fee (£29–48). If you know you'll carry a regular travel backpack, buy the upgrade at booking — it's almost always worth the small upfront cost.
When compression matters: For 30–35L bags with the overhead upgrade, the 25 cm depth limit can catch you. Rolling clothes, using compression cubes, and cinching the bag's own compression straps before arriving at the gate can mean the difference between smooth boarding and a gate fee. Pack the night before and test that your bag sits flat at 25 cm or under.
When to check instead: If you need more than 40L, or you're traveling with gear that won't compress (camera equipment, formal shoes, thick winter coats), booking a hold bag online is often the better play. EasyJet hold bags start at £15–25 per flight depending on route and timing. For multi-leg trips, bundle packages that include hold baggage can save compared to buying per-flight.
Similar size breakdowns and fit calculators for other airlines:
Ryanair carry-on backpack guide →
Delta carry-on backpack guide →
United carry-on backpack guide →