How much hand luggage can you take on the plane?
What you can take into the cabin increasingly depends on your fare. A small personal item (handbag, laptop bag or small backpack) that fits under the seat is almost always included. A larger cabin bag (trolley case) is often only included in a more expensive fare or costs extra. An overview of airlines that fly frequently from Schiphol:
| Airline | Personal item | Cabin bag |
|---|---|---|
| KLM | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | 55 × 35 × 25 cm; max. 12 kg together; not with Economy Basic |
| Transavia | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 25 cm, max. 10 kg; only in Smart and Max |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm, max. 15 kg | 56 × 45 × 25 cm, max. 15 kg; paid |
| Ryanair | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, max. 10 kg; only with paid Priority |
| Vueling | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, max. 10 kg; not on the cheapest fare |
| TUI | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, max. 10 kg; included with package holidays, not with flight-only tickets (departures from 1 May 2026) |
⚠️ Rules differ by fare and change regularly; always check your airline's website (checked October 2026).
Good to know
Ryanair has two hand luggage categories: a small bag of 40 × 30 × 20 cm is free (this size has applied since 4 September 2025). A trolley case of 55 × 40 × 20 cm (max. 10 kg) is only allowed if you pay for Priority.
Liquids in hand luggage: the 100 ml rule
The liquids rule still applies at Schiphol:
- Every liquid must be in a container of no more than 100 ml
- All containers must fit in one transparent, resealable bag of no more than 1 litre
- You may take one bag per person
Liquids include: water, soft drinks, perfume, gel, cream, paste (toothpaste too!), jam, honey, soup.
Easier at security, though: Schiphol uses CT scanners. This means your bag of liquids can simply stay in your case or bag.
Exceptions (more than 100 ml allowed):
- Baby milk and baby food
- Medicines (a medical statement is optional)
- Duty-free purchases in a sealed STEB bag
Tip: buy your bottles of water at Schiphol after security. You may take empty bottles with you.
What is absolutely not allowed in hand luggage?
The following items are not allowed in hand luggage and will be confiscated at security:
- Knives and scissors with a blade longer than 6 cm (measured from the pivot)
- Tools such as screwdrivers, pliers and drills
- Liquids over 100 ml (unless an exception applies)
- Self-defence spray (pepper spray)
Take care with these items:
- Lighter or matches: you may only carry one small lighter or matches on your person, not in your bag
- E-cigarettes: only in the cabin, never in hold luggage; the e-liquid falls under the 100 ml rule
- Power banks: only in hand luggage, never in hold luggage (see below)
If in doubt, check the Schiphol website or your airline's website.
Good to know
Hundreds of thousands of items are confiscated at Schiphol security every year. Liquids (perfume, water) and sharp objects (knives, scissors) are the most common categories.
Laptops and electronics in hand luggage
At Schiphol, laptops, tablets and other electronics no longer need to come out of your bag: security uses CT scanners. At the entrance to security you first scan your boarding pass.
Stricter rules have applied to power banks since 27 March 2026 (ICAO):
- Only in hand luggage, never in hold luggage
- No more than 2 power banks per person
- No charging on board
- 100–160 Wh: only with the airline's permission
- Over 160 Wh: not allowed
Hand luggage too heavy or too large: what now?
If your hand luggage is refused at the gate because of its weight or size, your bag has to go in the hold after all. At the gate this costs approx. €60–€70 or more per bag (for example Transavia from €70, easyJet approx. £60, Vueling €60–€140) — often much more than adding it in advance.
Tips to avoid this:
- Weigh your bag at home on luggage scales
- Use a tape measure or the airline's sizing template
- If in doubt: book a fare that already includes a cabin bag
Coming to Schiphol by taxi? With AMS Taxi Schiphol you can easily bring hold luggage and hand luggage — the driver helps with loading. Book your ride here.
