Editorial Team
Our content team
6 min read
EUR 120. That's what you'll pay at the airport counter when you realize your TUI fly ticket doesn't include a suitcase. For 20 kg of checked baggage. One way. Round trip? That's EUR 240 extra, and your budget ticket suddenly isn't so budget anymore.
I've seen it pop up in forums and review sites over and over: travelers standing at check-in, completely blindsided. Why? TUI fly introduced something called the Pure fare back in late 2023, and with TUI fly Pure fare, there's no free baggage at all. A catch that a lot of holidaymakers don't see coming.
Quick answer: TUI fly's Pure fare includes only one small personal item (40x30x20 cm, max 6 kg) for free. No checked baggage, no trolley. You can add baggage online for EUR 19 to EUR 95. At the airport counter, it costs a flat EUR 120. If you booked a package holiday through TUI, these rules don't apply to you.
What Does the TUI fly Pure Fare Include?
Not much, honestly. With TUI fly's Pure fare, you get your flight and one small personal item. The dimensions: 40x30x20 cm, maximum 6 kg. It has to fit under the seat in front of you. According to the official TUI fly fare overview, this is the cheapest ticket tier available. No trolley, no suitcase, no checked bag. Check how 40x30x20 cm compares across airlines and you'll see it's one of the most restrictive allowances among European carriers.
Aviation blog Frankfurtflyer.de called this "the worst hand luggage fare of all time." To be fair, they probably have a point. Even Ryanair lets you bring a small trolley into the cabin. With TUI fly Pure, that's not an option.
The Confusion Trap: Package Holiday vs. Flight-Only
This is where most people get burned. If you booked a package holiday through TUI, airtours, or Robinson, you still get 20 kg of free checked baggage. Even when TUI fly operates the flight. That hasn't changed.
But if you booked just the flight, a standalone ticket through tui.com or a booking portal, you're automatically on the Pure fare. No suitcase. Industry publication Fluggesellschaft.de pointed out that frequent policy changes make it difficult even for travel agents to keep up. TUI fly isn't alone here either. A similar policy shift at Lufthansa (Coming Soon) means that as of May 2026, passengers on Economy Basic tickets also can't bring a cabin trolley.
Many loyal TUI customers don't find out until they're at the gate. They've been flying package holidays for years without a problem. This time they just booked the flight. And then it's EUR 120.
Adding Baggage: How to Save Money
If you need a suitcase, book it online beforehand. Pre-booked online, 20 kg costs between EUR 19 and EUR 95 depending on your destination. At the counter, it's a flat EUR 120. That's what airlines charge at the gate (Coming Soon) when you haven't booked ahead. TUI fly actually charges more than Ryanair (EUR 70) or easyJet (EUR 63). That difference stings.
In any TUI fare comparison, the Perfect fare is the next step up. It typically costs around EUR 50 extra per person per leg, but it comes with 20 kg baggage, a snack, and free airport check-in. Whether that's worth it depends on the route. For short hops to Mallorca, the online baggage add-on is often cheaper. For longer flights to Egypt or Turkey, the Perfect fare might actually be the better deal.
Which Bags Fit the 40x30x20 Rule?
40x30x20 cm sounds tiny. It is. TUI fly's hand luggage rules allow exactly this format as the only free option on the Pure fare. But with the right backpack, you can pack for three days without breaking a sweat. A Mallorca weekend, travelling light, no checked bag. That works. You're looking at up to 24 liters.
Our roundup of tested carry-on backpacks for 40x30x20 cm covers what actually fits. Here's a quick overview of the budget options:
The Narwey 20L Handgepäck 40x30x20, Klein Faltbare Reisetasche Handgepäck Tasche Flugzeug für Damen und Herren is the budget pick at around EUR 10. Foldable, lightweight, fits the dimensions exactly. If you want more structure and maybe a laptop pocket, the MATEIN Handgepäck Rucksack 40x30x20, Erweiterbar 24L Reiserucksack Flugzeug Herren Damen Travel Backpack costs about EUR 25 and has a dedicated compartment.
For travelers who like staying organized, the VANKEV Handgepäck 40x30x20 Rucksack, 24L Reiserucksack Klein mit 15.6 Zoll Laptopfach für Ryanair, EasyJet, Eurowings comes with a 15.6-inch laptop pocket. And if you'd rather have a hard-shell trolley that slides under the seat, the Cabin Max Anode Hartschalen Trolley 40x30x20 cm, 24L Handgepäck Koffer für Ryanair & Wizz Air Untersitz does exactly that.
A useful tip from the KAYAK hand luggage guide: backpacks get checked less often at the gate than small trolleys. On a busy flight, that's a genuine advantage.
Once your bag is sorted, there's one last thing to check before you book.
Narwey 20L Handgepäck 40x30x20, Klein Faltbare Reisetasche Handgepäck Tasche Flugzeug für Damen und Herren
4.4
(16,057)
EUR 9.99
Amazon
TUI fly Hand Luggage Rules: What to Sort Before Booking
Three questions before you hit confirm:
Package holiday or flight-only? Package holiday means 20 kg included. No drama.
Do you need a suitcase? If yes, add it at checkout. Booking online saves you up to EUR 100 versus the counter price.
How long is the route? For short-haul flights, the online baggage add-on usually wins. For long-haul to Egypt or Turkey, run the numbers on the Perfect fare.
Two minutes now, and you won't be the person standing at the check-in counter wondering what happened.
