Do I need to check in with hand luggage?
- Damian Brzeski
- 4 hours ago
- 10 min read
Wondering if you need to check in your carry-on baggage if you're not checking anything into the hold? The answer is unequivocal: yes.
Although you will skip the queue at the baggage drop, the process of obtaining a boarding pass is absolutely mandatory.
Without it, the security gate system simply won't let you through, and you will – in the worst-case scenario – pay dearly for your ignorance.
What is hand luggage?
This definition is extremely fluid and depends almost entirely on the policy of the specific airline and the fare you choose.
To avoid gate fees, you must accurately distinguish between the two types of baggage you bring on board. Mistaking this distinction is a common cause of stress at the airport.
1. Small Personal Luggage (Underseat Bag / Personal Item)
This is your "iron" standard and the absolute minimum that you are always entitled to, even with the cheapest ticket for several dozen zlotys.
Where it goes: It has to fit under the passenger seat in front of you.
What it is: Typically a backpack, laptop bag, handbag, or messenger bag.
Dimensions (Crucial!): Every centimeter counts here.
Ryanair: Very restrictive 40 x 20 x 25 cm.
Wizz Air: A slightly more lenient 40 x 30 x 20 cm. (Yes, you can take a slightly larger backpack on Wizz Air than on Ryanair!).
Guarantee: This is the only luggage that's 100% guaranteed to fly with you in the cabin. Even if the plane is full, flight attendants won't take your backpack to the hold because you're holding it under your feet.
2. Overhead Locker Bag
This is the classic, small suitcase on wheels that we associate with the old concept of "hand luggage." In the realities of 2026, it has become a luxury item on budget airlines.
Where it goes: In the overhead bin.
Standard: Typically, dimensions are around 55 x 40 x 23 cm and the weight cannot exceed 10 kg.
Payment: Airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air charge extra for this type of baggage . Typically, you'll need to purchase the "Priority" service to check it in. Without it, with just a cabin bag, you'll be held up at the gate.
Risk: Even if you paid for it, in rare situations (when there is no space in the overhead bins on board), the staff may ask you to leave it in the hold right at the boarding gate free of charge.
The differences between types of luggage in a nutshell:
Characteristic | Small Personal Luggage (Backpack) | Cabin Luggage (10kg Suitcase) |
Low-Cost Price | Included in the ticket price (Free) | Paid (e.g. in the Priority package) |
A seat on the plane | Under the seat | Overhead storage |
Fluid Limit (PL) | Standard (airport dependent) | Standard (airport dependent) |
The main advantage | Always at hand | Larger capacity |
Obligation to check in when traveling with hand luggage
Many travelers still confuse "checking in " (the physical handing over of a suitcase to the staff) with "checking in" (the administrative reporting of one's presence).
By traveling with just a small backpack, you save time – you bypass the Check-in/Bag Drop desks.
However, this does not exempt you from generating a boarding pass. This is your ticket to the restricted area and onto the plane.
Is it necessary to check in without checked baggage?
Yes, absolutely. Check-in is the moment when the airline checks you off, confirms your identity, verifies your documents (e.g., visas), and assigns you a specific seat on the plane.
Even if you only have your phone and passport with you, you still need a boarding pass. Without this QR code, the security gate will remain closed.
Why do some airlines require check-in even for carry-on luggage?
This concerns security and immigration procedures. Airlines are obligated to submit passenger lists to border authorities (API procedures).
Moreover, in the case of low-cost carriers (LCC), check-in is a key moment of visa verification (Visa Check) for passengers from outside the EU/EEA.
Although we increasingly do this via an app (by scanning our passport via NFC), the system must receive confirmation of your data before you can enter the restricted area.
Online check-in – the most common choice for travelers
Imagine if online check-in on budget airlines was no longer an option, but an economic necessity. If you forget, the costs could exceed the ticket price.
How does online check-in work and when is it available?
The process comes down to entering data from your ID card or passport in the application or on the carrier's website.
The trap lies in the "time windows" which vary drastically from line to line:
Ryanair: Starts 24 hours before the flight (at a random location), ends 2 hours before departure.
Wizz Air: Start 24 hours before the flight, end 3 hours before departure (note: one hour difference to the competitor!).
LOT / Lufthansa: Usually starts 36 hours or 23-30 hours before the scheduled flight.
Mobile apps and other self-check-in options
The year 2025 brought a revolution. Ryanair has virtually eliminated paper boarding passes in favor of digital ones (Digital Boarding Passes) since November 2025. Having the app on your phone has become practically mandatory.
Thanks to NFC technology, these applications allow you to scan your passport yourself, which in the case of many flights outside the Schengen area allows you to bypass the queue for document verification at the airport.
Boarding pass – how to get it and what is it for?
This is your pass. The safest option is to add it to your digital wallet (Google Wallet / Apple Wallet) – it will work instantly, even in a blackout.
Tip: A screenshot will also work, but make sure the QR code isn't covered by any notification . Also, remember that Ryanair has eliminated home printouts for most routes—the app is king.
Airport check-in – an alternative and its consequences
For the conscious low-cost passenger, the airport check-in desk is a last resort.
When is it best to use airport check-in?
Traditional airlines (LOT, Lufthansa): Here you can usually go to the desk for free, e.g. to change your seat or receive a paper souvenir in the form of a ticket.
Technical failure: If the app is down and you have proof of the error (screenshot), support should let you check in free of charge.
Visa Requirements (Visa Check): Non-EU citizens are sometimes asked by the application to physically verify their documents at the airport (usually free of charge after online check-in).
Airport check-in fees for low-cost airlines
This is a painful "penalty for laziness." If you forget to check in online and arrive at the desk "on the fly," have your payment card ready:
Ryanair: The fee is approximately €55 (approx. PLN 235) per person.
Wizz Air: The fee is around €40 (approximately PLN 170), and at some airports even more. (It's worth checking the carriers' current fee schedules here, as these amounts are subject to change.)
Check-in machines and document control
At Polish airports (Chopin, Balice) you will find self-check-in kiosks, but be careful: they mainly serve passengers of traditional airlines (LOT, Air France, Lufthansa).
Low-cost carriers (Ryanair, Wizz Air) rarely integrate with these systems to cut operating costs. So don't expect to skip the queue or the fee by using a machine.
Low-cost airlines and the obligation to check in hand luggage
On these airlines, "checking in baggage" is actually a visual inspection at the gate. Ground handling staff ruthlessly snatch up oversized backpacks.
The verification tool is a metal rack ( sizer ). The principle is simple: the luggage must fit inside freely.
Protruding wheels or a handle that prevent the suitcase from being loaded are grounds for imposing a fine (gate bag fee), which in the 2025/2026 season can reach up to EUR 70-75 .
Online check-in opening and closing times
Keep an eye on the clock, because the systems are soulless:
Ryanair: Blocked 2 hours before departure.
Wizz Air: 3-hour lockout before departure. Missing this Wizz Air window (if you're used to Ryanair standards) is a common and costly mistake. Once the online system is closed, the only option left is a paid visit to the airport desk.
Practical tips for travelers with hand luggage
Below you will read about the most common issues and ambiguities regarding hand luggage.
When should I arrive at the airport with just hand luggage?
Even if you're not checking in a suitcase, be at the airport 2 hours before departure . Why?
Security checks during peak season can take up to 40 minutes.
Gates are strictly closed 30 minutes before the start. No one will wait for latecomers.
What should you take out of your hand luggage at check-in?
In Poland we are currently dealing with a technological split personality, dependent on the airport:
Kraków-Balice (KRK), Poznań-Ławica (POZ): Modern CT scanners are in operation here (similar ones will be installed at the airport in Gdańsk by summer 2026). You don't have to take out liquids or electronics. You can also carry larger beverage bottles.
Warsaw Chopin (WAW), Gdańsk (GDN), Modlin (WMI): In January 2026, the old rules still apply (although WAW and GDN are preparing changes). You must remove: liquids (max 100 ml in a 1L bag), laptops, tablets, and power banks.
Does a cabin baggage count as hand luggage?
Yes, it's hand luggage, but... on budget airlines, it's not free in the basic fare. To board with it, you'll need to purchase the "Priority" service or a separate 10kg bag. Attempting to "smuggle" a suitcase without a fee will result in a hefty fine at the gate.
Does a handbag count as carry-on luggage?
Budget airlines: Yes. A woman's handbag is considered "a piece of luggage." If you have a backpack and a purse and haven't purchased Priority, the purse must disappear into your backpack before boarding.
LOT / Lufthansa: They usually treat the handbag more leniently, as an "additional personal item" next to cabin baggage.
Can I have a backpack in addition to my hand luggage?
Ryanair/Wizz Air (Basic fare): No. A backpack is your only permitted baggage.
Ryanair/Wizz Air (Priority fare): Yes. You can have two items: a cabin bag AND a smaller backpack.
FLIGHT: Yes, a small backpack (as a personal item) is acceptable alongside an 8kg suitcase.
How to avoid being late for check-in?
The simplest method: set an alarm on your phone 24 hours before your flight to immediately "click" online check-in.
Don't count on luck at the airport – security queues have a life of their own and are unpredictable.
Does a pillow count as hand luggage?
Officially, yes. In 2025, carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air closed loopholes in their regulations regarding "extra items."
The famous "pillowcase stuffed with clothes" trick has become risky. If the pillow looks unnaturally stuffed, the staff will consider it extra baggage. A safe option? A croissant tied around your neck.
Is a waist bag considered hand luggage?
Theoretically, yes – it's a piece of luggage. In practice, if the fanny pack is fastened at the waist and hidden under a sweatshirt, no one will notice it.
However, if it is hanging out and you have already used up your baggage allowance, the staff may ask you to put it in your backpack.
Can a shopping bag be considered hand luggage?
A standard shopping bag from home counts as a normal piece of luggage . Exception: A shopping bag containing Duty Free purchases with a receipt.
You can bring this on board in addition to your carry-on baggage allowance (on both Ryanair and Wizz Air). It's a great way to bring extra water or gifts.
Are airport purchases included in carry-on baggage?
No, as long as they are in their original, sealedDuty Free bag. This is the only legal way to bring an "extra bag" on board a low-cost airline for free.
Do all flights include personal luggage?
Yes. Even the cheapest fares guarantee you can take at least one small personal item (a backpack under your seat). There are no tickets with completely "zero" baggage allowance.
What happens if your hand luggage is too big?
You'll be stopped at the gate. Your baggage will be sent to a sizer. If it doesn't fit, you'll be charged an immediate gate fee (approximately €50-75).
Payment is only possible by card, and a large suitcase (if that was the problem) often ends up in the hold anyway.
Does a cabin baggage count as hand luggage?
It is worth emphasizing this once again: technically it is "Hand Luggage", but in the low-cost business model it is paid luggage .
Only "Personal Item" is free. When reading the regulations, remember: the phrase "free hand luggage allowance" at Ryanair refers to a small backpack, not a suitcase on wheels.
Preparation for check-in – documents and travel arrangements
Charge your phone: Your boarding pass lives in the app. A dead battery can be stressful and costly.
Powerbank: Always carry it in your hand luggage (regulations prohibit checking it into the hold!).
Documents: Check the expiry date of your ID or passport. It must match the information you entered during online check-in.
Backup: Take a screenshot of your boarding pass. Internet outages at the airport happen more often than you think.
FAQ – Check-in and Hand Luggage: Quick Questions and Answers
Below you will find quick answers to the most common questions about airport procedures, baggage and fees.
Do I need to check in if I only have carry-on luggage? Yes, a boarding pass is required for every passenger, regardless of the amount of luggage.
Is online check-in free? Yes, check-in via the web or app is free during the airline's designated check-in window (usually 24 hours before your flight).
How much is the fine for not checking in online at the airport? Low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air) charge around €40 to €55 per person for online check-in.
Is a wheeled (cabin) suitcase free on low-cost airlines? No, only a small under-seat backpack is free on the basic fare; a 10kg suitcase requires an additional fee (e.g., Priority service).
What is the liquid limit for carry-on luggage? At airports with older scanners (e.g., Warsaw Chopin), the limit is 100 ml per container; at airports with CT scanners (e.g., Krakow), these limits do not apply.
Can I bring a purse and a backpack at the same time? Without Priority service, no; you must stow your purse in your backpack before boarding.
When does Ryanair online check-in close? The system closes check-in exactly two hours before your scheduled departure.
When does online check-in close at Wizz Air? Check-in closes earlier at this airline – 3 hours before departure.
Do I need to print my boarding pass? No, the digital boarding pass on the mobile app is now the standard, and paper printouts are no longer accepted on many routes.
Where to pack power banks and electronics? Batteries and power banks must be carried in carry-on luggage only; they cannot be checked into the hold.
Does a travel pillow count as baggage? If it's a neck pillow, it usually doesn't; if it's a stuffed pillowcase in your hand, the staff may consider it extra baggage.
How much does the oversized baggage fee cost at the gate? If your baggage doesn't fit in the sizer, the fee is typically between €50 and €75, payable by card.
Is there an additional charge for Duty Free purchases? No, one bag of airport shopping (with receipt) is allowed in addition to your carry-on baggage allowance.
What time do I need to be at the airport without checked baggage? Due to security lines, the safe time is 2 hours before departure.
When does the gate close? Gates are closed 30 minutes before departure time.
Do I need to take my laptop out for security? This is only at airports without modern CT scanners; where modern devices are available (e.g., Krakow, Poznań), electronics stay in the backpack.
What is Visa Check? It's a mandatory document check (visa/passport) for non-EU citizens, which sometimes has to be completed at the check-in desk before proceeding to the gate.
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