Carry-On Rules for the Baltic States: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia

The three Baltic capitals — Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius — are ideal city break destinations and all reachable on carry-on only. Airlines serving these routes vary, and their policies differ significantly. Here is what you need to know before flying.

airBaltic: Fare-specific allowance

airBaltic MINI includes one 40×30×15 cm personal item up to 8 kg. BASIC/CLASSIC/FLEX includes one 55×40×23 cm main bag plus that item, sharing 8 kg. Business includes two main bags plus one personal item sharing 24 kg.

A paid heavy-bag option raises Economy to 12 kg combined and adds a main bag on MINI. Check the booking price. Bags must fit the sizer without force; no airport-specific tolerance is assumed.

Ryanair: Major Low-Cost Presence

Ryanair operates routes to Riga (RIX), Vilnius (VNO), and Tallinn (TLL) from numerous UK and European cities. The rules are identical to Ryanair's standard policy across its network.

Non-priority passengers: one small bag up to 40×30×20 cm that fits under the seat in front. No overhead locker access.

Passengers with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags: one carry-on bag up to 55x40x20 cm in the overhead locker, plus the small under-seat bag.

For a city break, most travellers on Ryanair routes will want to book priority or upgrade to Plus to avoid travelling with only a small under-seat bag. The small bag limit is genuinely restrictive for anything beyond a single overnight.

SAS: Generous Allowance for Scandinavian Routes

SAS permits a 55×40×23 cm main bag up to 8 kg per piece and a 40×30×15 cm underseat bag (maximum 18 litres). Economy Light within Europe includes only the small bag unless a main bag is purchased; outside Europe Light includes one main bag. Standard/Flex include one. Premium/Business include one within Europe and two outside Europe. Check the ticket; no enforcement tolerance or universal 18 kg allowance is assumed.

LOT Polish Airlines: Warsaw Connections

LOT Economy, including Saver, includes one 55×40×23 cm main bag up to 8 kg plus one 40×35×12 cm personal item up to 2 kg. European Business allows two main bags up to 9 kg each; US flights have separate rules. Status or checked-bag benefits do not automatically add cabin pieces.

Airport Profiles

Riga International Airport (RIX)

Riga is an efficient, medium-sized airport with a single main terminal. Security queues move quickly outside peak summer months. The departure hall is compact and easy to navigate. airBaltic has a significant presence here, and gate staff are experienced with the airline's bag policy. There are no particular surprises at Riga — standard European airport procedure applies.

Tallinn Airport (TLL)

Tallinn is the smallest of the three Baltic capitals' airports and the most straightforward to navigate. Security is fast, queues are short, and the terminal is genuinely compact. For carry-on travellers, Tallinn is one of the easiest airports in the region. The city itself is also very walkable from the airport by tram, which suits carry-on only travel perfectly.

Vilnius Airport (VNO)

Vilnius is larger than Tallinn but smaller than Riga. It handles a mix of carriers including Ryanair, LOT, and several charter airlines. Security is generally smooth. Allow standard time for Ryanair check-in and bag drop if you are printing a boarding pass or using the airport kiosks.

City Break Tips: Carry-On Only in the Baltics

Tallinn: the Old Town is cobblestoned and hilly. Wheeled luggage is awkward on cobblestones — a backpack-style carry-on or a bag with large wheels handles the terrain better than spinner bags with small wheels.

Riga: the Art Nouveau district and Old Town are both walkable from the centre. Riga has good tram and bus connections from the airport. A standard roller carry-on is fine in the city itself.

Vilnius: compact enough to cover on foot over 3-4 days. The airport is close to the city centre — about 7 km — making it ideal for carry-on only arrivals. Pack for variable weather; the Baltic states can be cool even in summer.

All three cities have well-stocked pharmacies and supermarkets, so toiletries and basics can be bought on arrival if you are packing ultra-light and skipping liquids.

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