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I'm flying with Ryanair soon, and would like to take a small amount of food with me in my hand luggage. In general, what are the rules/restrictions on this? I know that there might be some safety issues concerning on-board security, the risk of carrying diseases, etc.

Some types of food that I'm thinking of:

  • Home made snacks (cakes, etc);
  • Bread / sandwiches;
  • Food in sealed container;
  • Food in a container that has already been opened.

Is there a list of guidelines that I should be aware of, to ensure that I'll be able to take everything with me on-board?

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    I always bring my own food when travelling low cost. Sometimes even on standard flights as the quality of the food served on-board is getting worse and worse. You can even bring water/juice/liquids in general. Obviously you'll have to buy these after baggage check.
    – algiogia
    Apr 23, 2015 at 10:52
  • Related: travel.stackexchange.com/questions/44451/…
    – JoErNanO ♦
    Apr 23, 2015 at 11:58
  • To / from what country?
    – A E
    Jun 13, 2016 at 12:56

2 Answers 2

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According to Ryanair, you are welcome to do so. As for diseases etc., the regulations usually regard meat and dairy products, but if you are traveling within EU, you are ok. Outside, however, it depends on the country.

In my experience, ham and cheese sandwiches have never been a problem on European flights, including those with Ryanair. As long as it is not liquid (see Edit) you shouldn't have any issues getting it through security and on board.

Edit: Gathering the comments on non-obviously liquid items that will/may cause problems at security gates:

  • Yogurt (no matter how dense)
  • Jam/Marmalade
  • Tinned fish (in oil)
  • Honey
  • Purees
  • Butter
  • Peanut butter

Apparently fruits are OK (but not too juicy/mushy? ;))

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    Note that jam/marmalade is also considered too liquid to be taken on board, I know from personal experience.
    – downhand
    Apr 23, 2015 at 8:36
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    Cans are also frowned upon. I've had a 125g tin of sprats (fish) in oil confiscated, because oil is a liquid and liquids are bad.
    – lambshaanxy
    Apr 23, 2015 at 8:45
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    However, I can add from personal experience that fruit & veggies seem to be OK, but they look like liquids to the x-ray scanner. So take them out before getting your carry-on bag scanned to avoid delays.
    – DCTLib
    Apr 23, 2015 at 8:53
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    Just remember that some security agents have a very wide definition of 'liquid'. During the last year, I have been releived from honey, chestnut puree and butter in the security checks at European airports.
    – Tor-Einar Jarnbjo
    Apr 23, 2015 at 9:58
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    (+1) In fact, it's simpler than that, the restriction is not limited to liquids but concerns “liquids, aerosols and gels”, which is obviously broader.
    – Relaxed
    Apr 23, 2015 at 15:18
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The website of RyanAir states that food is okay to bring.

I would suggest using a plastic bag or plastic container, instead of a metal container shaped as a bomb, but I guess that's pretty obvious. And there won't be any safety risks if you bring regular food like bread/sandwiches/etc.

You can't bring drinks through the security check, however you can buy drinks afterwards to take on your flight.

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    Or bring an empty water bottle and refill after security.
    – lambshaanxy
    Apr 23, 2015 at 8:46
  • @jpatokal Never even thought about that, nice thinking ;)
    – Lewis
    Apr 23, 2015 at 8:56
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    In AMS I could refill my bottle for Schengen flights, but not for non-Schengen. In DUS and FRA I successfully refilled my bottle before international flights as well, but AMS still has at-gate security. Renovations for the switch to centralized security are underway.
    – Alexander
    Apr 23, 2015 at 9:23
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    @Alexander: I took a non-Schengen (UK) flight from AMS last year. I must have got lucky with the "underway" part of what you said, since my gate was one of a group of maybe 4 that shared security. There was a coffee/sandwich shop and I think a water fountain airside, so no problem. I suppose with a good source of information, you can figure out your options once you have your gate.
    – Steve Jessop
    Apr 23, 2015 at 9:27
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    Refilling your water bottle from the cold tap in the toilet on level 2 in the Eiffel tower can lead you to being physically assaulted by the (oldish, female) attendant (ask me how I know) but seems less liable to be a problem with Ryan Air, even if only because the time taken may divert them from getting passengers on on on! and off off off off !!!! ... the aircraft.
    – Russell McMahon
    Apr 23, 2015 at 10:27

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