[Sparkologist]

I've flown seven times, I think, with Ryanair this year. The hold baggage allowance is tight, at 15 kilo's, as you are aware. If you happen to go over that allowance you will get stiffed at a rate of 12 quid for every kilo over the stated limit. When your bag is weighed, and is found to be overweight, you have to immediately go to another desk to pay the excess, before returning to the check-in desk with a proof of payment receipt; only then will you be issued with your flight ticket.

Don't worry though. Here is the good news. You can take one item of hand luggage into the cabin, weighing no more than 10 kilos, in addition to any hold luggage. There is a dimension restriction to the hand luggage of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, but with some creative packing you can make this work to your advantage.

With your flight, have you declared that you will be travelling with a piece of hold luggage? If not, you will have to pay extra when you get to the airport. That means a trip to the same payment desk as the excess baggage payment, before returning to check-in to collect your ticket.

If you are taking lotions & potions with you, try to pack them in your hold luggage. It will save a lot of hassle. Any medicines you need to carry with you for the flight, MUST be carried in a clear plastic bag. Each item must be no greater than 100ml, otherwise you will have it removed when going through security screening.

I hope this helps.

P.S. Which airport are you flying from?