Best Backpack for Wizz Air (2026): Complete Size Guide
Photo by Marko Slavkovic on Unsplash
Wizz Air has one of the most restrictive free baggage policies in Europe. Like EasyJet, the free allowance is an under-seat bag only not a full overhead carry-on. To bring a travel backpack in the overhead bin, you need to purchase WIZZ Priority or a trolley bag upgrade. This guide explains exactly what fits, what the upgrade costs, and which backpacks make sense for Wizz Air travelers. For a complete comparison across all carriers, see the full airline size limits guide.
Official Wizz Air Size Limits
Free Carry-On Bag
Paid Trolley Bag (WIZZ Priority)
WIZZ Priority can be purchased when booking or added later via your account. It costs significantly less online than the €65 gate fee. Prices vary by route and season check your booking for current pricing.
How Strictly Does Wizz Air Enforce Size Limits?
Wizz Air is one of the stricter low-cost carriers in Europe. Gate agents regularly use sizing cages, particularly at Eastern European airports in Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Italy. Bags that don’t fit are charged €65 and placed in the hold. Pre-booking WIZZ Priority is always the better option.
The free bag’s 20 cm depth limit is very restrictive. Most daypack-style backpacks in the 20-25L range will fit. Travel backpacks of 30L or more will not.
What This Means for Travel Backpacks
None of the 30L+ travel backpacks we review fit within Wizz Air’s free 40 x 30 x 20 cm allowance. The paid trolley bag allowance (55 x 40 x 23 cm) is more workable, but note the 9 cm depth limit our reviewed backpacks are at or slightly over this.
| Backpack | Dimensions | Free Bag (40x30x20) | Paid Trolley (55x40x23) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey Farpoint 40 | 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.1 in | No | Borderline (9.1 in depth) |
| Osprey Fairview 40 | 21.3 x 13.8 x 9.1 in | No | Borderline (9.1 in depth) |
| Cotopaxi Allpa 35L | 21.3 x 13 x 8.3 in | No | Yes |
| Nomatic 30L | 18.9 x 13 x 8.5 in | No | Yes (with upgrade) |
| Tortuga Pro 40L | 22 x 14.2 x 9.1 in | No | Borderline (right at the 55 cm / 23 cm limit) |
| Peak Design 45L | 22 x 13 x 9.5 in | No | No (too tall at 22 in) |
Best Backpacks for Wizz Air (With WIZZ Priority)
With WIZZ Priority, you can bring a bag up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm in the overhead bin. Four of our reviewed backpacks fit within this limit. The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is the top pick because it clears all three dimensions with room to spare and offers the best organization for travel. The Peak Design 45L and Tortuga Pro 40L both exceed the 55 cm height limit at 56 cm and are not recommended for Wizz Air.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
The safest choice for Wizz Air. At 54 x 33 x 21 cm, it clears the 55 x 40 x 23 cm Priority limit on every axis with at least 1 cm to spare. The suitcase-style opening makes packing efficient when you need to stay under the 10 kg weight limit. At 1.56 kg empty, it leaves more packing room than heavier alternatives.
Osprey Farpoint 40
The most affordable option that fits Wizz Air’s Priority limit. At 55 cm tall, it sits right at the height limit, so avoid overstuffing the top pocket. The 23 cm depth matches the limit exactly. At 1.59 kg empty, you get 8.41 kg of packing room within the 10 kg weight cap. Best value in this lineup by a wide margin.
Osprey Fairview 40
The women’s-specific version of the Farpoint with a shorter torso range and contoured hip belt. At 54 cm tall, it has 1 cm of clearance on the height limit. Same depth and weight as the Farpoint. A strong option for women who want a comfortable 40L bag that fits Wizz Air without cutting it too close.
Nomatic Travel Backpack 30L
The smallest bag in the lineup and the easiest fit for Wizz Air Priority. At 48 cm tall, it clears the height limit by 7 cm. The tradeoff is capacity: 30L is enough for 3-5 day trips but tight for longer travel. At 1.81 kg empty, it is the heaviest bag per liter in this group, leaving 8.19 kg for contents within the 10 kg weight limit.
Full Comparison Table
| Backpack | Price | Capacity | Dimensions (cm) | Fits Wizz Priority | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotopaxi Allpa 35L | $230 | 35L | 54 x 33 x 21 | Yes | 1.56 kg |
| Osprey Farpoint 40 | $199 | 40L | 55 x 35 x 23 | Yes | 1.59 kg |
| Osprey Fairview 40 | $200 | 40L | 54 x 35 x 23 | Yes | 1.59 kg |
| Nomatic 30L | $310 | 30L | 48 x 33 x 22 | Yes | 1.81 kg |
| Peak Design 45L | $300 | 45L | 56 x 33 x 24 | No (56 cm tall) | 2.17 kg |
| Tortuga Pro 40L | $350 | 40L | 56 x 36 x 23 | No (56 cm tall) | 2.04 kg |
Tips for Flying Wizz Air with a Backpack
Buy WIZZ Priority online, not at the gate. The gate fee is €65. Online pricing is always lower. Add it at booking for the best rate it typically includes priority boarding which also gives you first access to overhead bin space.
Nothing else is allowed alongside your free bag. Unlike EasyJet or most other airlines, Wizz Air does not allow a personal item in addition to your free carry-on. Your laptop, handbag, or camera bag all need to go inside the free 40 x 30 x 20 cm allowance. Plan accordingly.
Wheels and handles are excluded from measurements but limited. Wizz Air excludes wheels and handles from the official bag dimensions, but specifies they must not add more than 5 cm. A bag that is 40 cm tall with a 6 cm extended handle would technically violate policy.
Enforcement is heavier in Eastern Europe. Airports in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Italy, and Spain tend to enforce more consistently. If you’re flying from London Luton or other Western European airports, enforcement can be more variable but don’t rely on it.
Related Airline Guides
Last updated: August 2026. Wizz Air policies and Priority pricing change frequently. Always verify current limits and fees at wizzair.com before booking.