Ryanair travellers are being urged to thoroughly check the hand luggage policy to avoid any unexpected charges at the airport.

As per the current rules, all fares include one small personal bag that must fit under the seat in front of you. This could be a backpack measuring 40cm by 25cm or a carry-on bag that's 40cm by 20cm.

Regular Ryanair flyers will know how strictly the 'fit under the seat in front' rule is enforced, with flight attendants routinely checking that bags are properly stowed and passengers are securely belted in before take-off.

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Those wishing to bring an additional bag will need to fork out extra, although Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary told the Mirror that these fees aren't intended as a money-making scheme for the budget airline.

If you're looking to bring a second cabin bag, there are several options available. For instance, with Priority and 2 Cabin Bags, you'll be among the first to board the plane and can bring both your small personal bag (40x20x25cm) and a 10kg wheelie bag (55x40x20cm) on board.

This means you won't have to wait for your bag at the terminal when you arrive. If Priority is sold out, you can opt for their 10kg Check-in Bag.

Opting for this choice means you'll need to drop your bags at the airport check-in desk pre-security, so they can be stowed in the aircraft hold.

Fancy a bit more luggage leeway? You can add on a 20kg Check-in Bag to your booking. Travellers are allowed to snap up to three 20kg checked bags per booking.

Flying with a tot under two? Ryanair offers two free pieces of baby gear per child "to make your journey as seamless as possible."

But remember, there's no cabin bag allowance for the little ones, though a baby bag up to 5kg (45x35x20cms) is allowed on board at no extra cost if you're carrying a baby on your lap.

If you're not a priority customer and haven't added a bag to your booking, you can still grab a 10kg Check-in bag at the airport for £35.99. But if you rock up at the boarding gate with it, be prepared to cough up £46.00.

And if you've skipped adding a bag when booking, you can still purchase a 20kg Check-in bag at the airport for a cool £70.00.

Don't forget to check-in online before your flight to avoid a wallet-whacking charge at the airport – one lady's group was stung with an extra £220. Like all carriers, Ryanair charges extra for special items that don't fit the usual mould, like your skis or bike.

We've compiled a list of some of these fees below, noting that the cost of certain items may vary depending on the length of the route. However, it's worth mentioning that a comprehensive list of costs can be found on the company's website.