Flying Ryanair is the best way to travel Europe on a budget, and these Ryanair tips are here to help make the experience more pleasant.
Ryanair is one of those airlines that people love to hate. Infamous for its lack of services and hidden fees, it’s certainly one of those things where the saying “You get what you pay for” rings true.
But love it or hate it, there’s no denying that Ryanair is the most popular budget airline in Europe. It’s an excellent way to save money. And while it may not be for everyone, once you understand how the airline works, it’s truly not that bad.
After flying them a bunch, I’ve put together this Ryanair guide to help set your expectations the next time you decide to fly cheap.
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What is Ryanair?
Ryanair is a prominent European low-cost airline based out of Ireland, known for its budget-friendly fares and extensive network of destinations. Operating since 1984, Ryanair offers affordable air travel options, often utilizing secondary airports, and has gained recognition for its no-frills approach, punctuality, and emphasis on cost efficiency.
Why is flying Ryanair so cheap?
Ryanair is able to offer budget-friendly fares for several reasons.
First, they operate a low-cost business model focused on hyper-efficiency. For example, they only fly one type of aircraft (the B737), reducing mechanical labor and parts costs.
Additionally, they tend to fly out of smaller (cheaper) airports or schedule routes at off-peak (cheaper) times like in the early morning or late at night.
They also have a no-frills approach and offer customers the bare minimum in order to keep base fares lows. Which means they do charge fees for any and all extras.
»Read more: How to Afford to Travel: 15 Ways To Make Room in Your Budget for Travel
Is flying with Ryanair safe?
Yes, flying with Ryanair is considered safe. Like all airlines, Ryanair adheres to rigorous safety standards and regulations set by international aviation authorities. The airline has a strong safety record and continuously invests in maintenance, training, and modern aircraft to ensure the well-being and security of its passengers.
In fact, Ryanair has a safety rating of 7/7 according to Airline Ratings, which makes it an exceptionally safe airline to fly.
Who is Ryanair for?
Ryanair is for someone who isn’t fussed about luxurious touches on an airline, is looking to save some money, and is happy to pack light or pay for the extra baggage fees. Perfect for budget travelers in Europe!
Types of Ryanair Tickets
I won’t bore you with too many details that can be found on Ryanair’s site, but here’s what to know about the kind of tickets you can purchase:
- Value fare (base rate): Cheapest tickets that include only one 40x20x25cm under-the-seat cabin bag.
- Regular fare (priority): Slight upgrade that includes one 40x20x25cm under-the-seat cabin bag and one 10kg 55x40x20cm overhead locker bag plus priority boarding. Adds €6-€30 per person, per leg to the price.
- Plus: Includes priority boarding, one under-seat bag, and one check-in bag up to 20kg.
- Family Plus: Great for family travel that includes a small bag and 10kg check-in bag for each member, plus one 20kg check-in family bag and free seats for children under 12.
- Flexi Plus: Priority boarding, one under-seat bag, one 10kg check-in bag, reserved seating, free flight change for the same route or different, only having to pay the fare difference.
Check out Ryanair’s terms and conditions for explicit details about what’s included.
Ryanair Bag Fees
Here’s a quick summary of what Ryanair’s bag fees look like (be sure to check their official website for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing).
Cabin baggage (small, under-seat bag): Included with basic ticket
Priority Cabin Baggage: €/£6 – €/£30* per leg
Checked Baggage 10kg: €/£12.00- €/£25.0[€/£12.00- €/£25.00*
Checked Baggage 20kg: €/£17.99 – €/£50.00*
Excess Baggage: €/£9 – €/£11 per extra kilo
*Fees are based on purchase at the time of booking, and are more expensive if added later.
Ryanair Bag Sizes
This handy chart shares with you Ryanair’s baggage size requirements translated into inches for my fellow American friends!
Cabin baggage “Small bag”: 40cm x 25cm x 20cm | 15.75in x 9.85in x 7.87in
Priority Cabin Baggage (10kg): 55cm x 40cm x 20cm | 21.65in x 15.75in x 7.87in
Checked Baggage (10kg or 20kg): 81cm x 119cm x 119cm | 31.81in x 46.85in x 46.85in
Excess Baggage (32kg): 81cm x 119cm x 119cm | 31.81in x 46.85in x 46.85in
Best Travel Bags for Flying Ryanair
One of the biggest struggles of flying Ryanair is finding the best travel bag so you can get the most bang for your buck. Here are some highly-reviewed travel bags that you can take on a Ryanair flight.
Best Under-Seat Cabin Bags for Ryanair (American bags)
The small cabin bag allowed on Ryanair with the base ticket must be no larger than 40cm x 25cm x 20cm.
These American bags are close to the Ryanair bag requirements but aren’t an exact match. Since Ryanair is a European airline, exact Ryanair bags aren’t available on American Amazon/American websites.
Bags that are slightly larger than the requirements are usually fine so long as the bag isn’t overly stuffed, i.e., it can be squished into the bag size checker.
However, these bags are sized to fit the cabin bag requirements for most other budget airlines and are still useful for travel. Ryanair just happens to have smaller measurements in the industry.
- Fjallraven Kanken: A classic, everyday backpack that I personally use, with a large interior pocket, water bottle side pockets, deep zips to pack easier, and a front pocket perfect for travel toiletries, measuring 36.8 x 27.3 x 10.16 cm (14.5 x 10.75 x 4 inches).
- Bergsalz Travel Backpack: A weekend backpack with a shoe compartment, waterproof internal pocket, and a charging port measuring 29 x 15.9 x 45 cm (17.71 x 11.81 x 6.29 inches).
- Hanples Travel Backpack: A clamshell backpack that opens like a suitcase with organizational pockets, a shoe compartment, a laptop sleeve, and a trolley sleeve measuring 41.9 x 28.9 x 19.8 cm (16.5 x 11.4 x 7.8 inches)
Best Under-Seat Cabin Bags Designed Specifically for Ryanair (European bags)
Those living in Europe have more shopping options if searching for bags that fit the bag requirements exactly.
Here are some of the most popular options (German links, but should be available throughout Europe) that measure exactly 40 x 25 x 20 cm (15.75 x 9.85 x 7.87 inches).
- Aerolite Ryanair: A basic duffle that fits the Ryanair requirements exactly with a suitcase trolley strap, a side zipper pocket, and a variety of color options.
- SZLX Cabin Backpack: A front-loading backpack with organizational pockets, a shoe compartment, and a port for USB charging.
- SPAEHR Travel Bags: A stylish duffel made with rain-resistant material with rubber feet on the base to protect it when sitting on the ground.
»Read more: 11 Best Front Loading Backpacks for Travelers
Best Priority Cabin Bags for Ryanair
When I fly Ryanair, I often purchase priority so I can bring two cabin bags on board.
In addition to the small under-seat bag, priority tickets include a larger cabin bag for the overhead bins measuring no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
Here are some excellent options if you’re searching for that perfect priority Ryanair bag:
- Cotopaxi Allpa 35L: A clamshell backpack I personally use and love. The bag is available in many fun colors, comes with a rain cover, features two internal zipper compartments to keep everything organized and together, and more. It measures 56 x 30 x 25cm and I’ve never gotten stopped with it. It’s also smaller when the support straps are tucked in.
- American Tourister Soundbox 55cm: I also own this wheely bag and hate that it isn’t offered on the American market. This reasonably priced luggage measures 55 x 40 x 20 (23 cm when expanded), features a zipper internal pocket, smooth 360-degree wheels, and can be purchased as a set with larger sizes. It also comes in fun colors.
- Kono Carry on Suitcase 19 Inch: A budget-friendly wheely suitcase featuring a theft-proof lock, two fully-lined interior compartments, and a hardshell exterior measuring 18.9 x 11.8 x 7.9 inches.
11 Pros and Cons of Flying Ryanair
5 Pros of Flying Ryanair
- Ryanair tickets are generally very cheap and you can book tickets for as low as $15 one way.
- There are periodic sales on flights, which isn’t very common on major airlines, allowing for even cheaper travel.
- Flying Ryanair can mean fewer crowds at airport security and check-in because many Ryanair flights depart from smaller airports, at odd times. This isn’t always true though, especially if taking a Ryanair flight from a larger airport like London or Dublin.
- In 2021, 92% of Ryanair flights arrived on time and from my personal experience flying with them, I’ve never had a major issue or delay (knock on wood).
- Ryanair has a lot of convenient routes scattered across Europe connecting so many places that major airlines may miss or have limited access to.
6 Cons of Flying Ryanair
- There are many hidden fees to worry about, and the price you pay is for the bare minimum. But this does allow you to pay for what you want versus paying extra for something you don’t care about.
- There are no included services like complimentary snacks, drinks, checked bags, etc.
- Ryanair can be a little inconvenient because flying at off-times or into far-off airports can mean longer and sometimes more money on ground travel to get to your destination after landing.
- The cabin seating is a bit small, although truthfully the difference compared to other airlines is negligible.
- Ryanair fares have the smallest bag allowance in the biz, with base fare including only one 40cm x 25cm x 20cm (15.75in x 9.85in x 7.87in) bag allowed. That’s essentially a small backpack like the Fjallraven Kanken Laptop bags or this bag by BidMamba made specifically to meet Ryanair standards (not available on US Amazon).
- And if you break the bag size rule, you can get slapped with a fee at the gate. Attendants can be strict about checking that your bag isn’t over the allotted size. Fees vary but are usually about €50-€69 for an oversized bag.
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11 Things to Know + Tips for Flying on Ryanair
1. Download the Ryanair app.
The app makes travel, check-in, and visa checks simple and convenient. And it completely eliminates the need to print out anything, which is a lifesaver when traveling.
Especially because with Ryanair, you must present a printed boarding pass or a mobile pass on the app, or you’re charged €/£55 to print a boarding pass.
Additionally, from my personal experience, I’ve noticed that the app usually shows slightly cheaper pricing.
2. You must check in online at least two hours in advance and print your boarding pass to avoid a €/£55 fee.
With Ryanair, if you don’t check in online in advance and you don’t print your own boarding pass or show it in the mobile app, they will charge you a €/£55 fee. Your boarding pass must be “official,” and it can’t be a screenshot, digital PDF, or anything else.
This is probably the biggest issue Ryanair newbies face because it’s such a specific rule and a tricky way they can earn a quick buck off of you. And if traveling as a family, that €/£55 fee per person adds up quickly.
3. If you get the “no mobile pass available” when checking in, go to the front desk on arrival for a visa/passport check.
Don’t panic, I know above I just said you must have a boarding pass to avoid a €/£55 fee. However, non-EU citizens (like Americans) sometimes have to show their passports and travel documents to the check-in counter staff to prove their legal right to travel.
So long as you’ve already checked in online at least two hours before your flight, you’ll not be charged any fees. You just need to show a person your valid travel docs, your “no mobile pass available” printout or app screen, and then they will print you out a little slip of a boarding pass for free.
If traveling between two EU countries, you’ll likely have your boarding pass issued on your app without the visa/passport check.
4. Watch out for Ryanair’s other hidden fees.
There are many little Ryanair fees to worry about, many of which can surprise unsuspecting passengers. Some of the most annoying things Ryanair makes you pay for are seat assignments (optional), boarding card reissue (if you lose yours), gate suitcase check, etc.
I’m going to say this one more time (because I’ve heard SO many people get dinged on this) to avoid the “airport check-in” €/£55 fee charged to those who don’t check in online in advance and print their boarding pass (or show it in the mobile app).
5. Watch out for flash sales.
Ryanair is a bit unique in that they actually have sales on flights pretty frequently! But you’ll have to check back regularly and keep an open mind on destinations because it’s subject to certain airports, routes, and dates.
6. Ryanair is cheap, but it’s not always the cheapest.
Be sure to look into other budget airlines in Europe like EasyJet, Vueling Airlines, Eurowings, Wizz Airlines, etc. Where you’re flying from may have its own “national” budget airline (a company founded there) that may offer better deals.
7. Bag pooling is allowed.
Bag pooling is the allowance of more than one bag, so long as the total weight of all your bags is within the weight allowance and bag measurements. And surprisingly, Ryanair allows it!
8. Priority tickets don’t always mean priority.
I’ve quickly learned that even with “priority boarding” on Ryanair, just because you get your ticket scanned first doesn’t mean you’ll actually get on the plane first. Depending on the airport, they may scan your ticket and then call you into a space where it’s essentially a free-for-all when boarding, which can be frustrating.
While it can help you get on the plane first, the true best benefit of priority, in my opinion, is the personal item + larger carry-on bag.
9. How strict Ryanair is about personal item bags depends on the Ryanair attendant on duty.
In my personal experience, the bulk of Ryanair attendants turn a blind eye to bags that are slightly bigger than the required measurements (but not always). Now, this isn’t always true and is a RISK because if you’re caught, you’ll have to pay €/£ 69.99. BUT, I have friends and have seen people with bags that are WAY bigger than what Ryanair technically allows as a “small bag.”
The trick is to be discreet about your bag, like keeping it on the ground when checking in or squarely behind you when boarding. I’ve also quickly learned the attitudes of the Ryanair attendants at my nearest/preferred airports.
For example, the airports I frequent are Luxembourg and Frankfurt Hahn, and this is where I’ve seen many people get away with having a bigger bag. But I’ve heard some airports are pretty picky and actually make people put their “small bag” into the bag cage to prove it’s the appropriate size, like Barcelona and Morocco.
10. It’s easier to skirt by the bag measurement rules with backpacks and duffels that don’t have wheels.
I’ve seen and have personal experience with carrying slighter larger bags than is technically allowed, so long as they are not actual suitcases. But nearly everyone bringing on a questionaly sized piece of wheeled luggage can expect to be checked by the attendant on duty.
11. If you need extra space, consider these viral tricks.
As with anything in this world, people love finding ways to break the rules, especially those as strict as Ryanair’s. Here are some viral hacks to consider the next time you fly (at your own risk, of course).
The viral pillowcase trick has hit travel TikTok as a great way to skirt Ryanair and budget airlines. Ryanair allows passengers to bring a pillow onboard, and travelers have had success with stuffing more clothes into their pillowcases.
But Ryanair is onto the viral pillowcase trick and may be changing the rules soon. If they do, you can check out this nifty Tube Travel Pillow, which is more discreet.
Wear multiple layers: Many people have also had success wearing double, triple, or quadruple layers onto the plane in a pinch.
Wear your backpack beneath a layer: Those who are extra desperate attempt to hide too large bags under jackets and sweaters. It’s not recommended, but hey, I thought I’d share.
Ryanair Review: Is flying Ryanair worth it?
After reading all those cons in my list, you’re probably thinking, “Why the F&!% should I fly Ryanair?”. Honestly, fair enough. I can see how it may not be for everyone.
However, I will say that once you understand how Ryanair works, it can be a very convenient way to fly. Not to mention, you can’t beat their low fares.
I’m not a fussy traveler, so I don’t care all that much about bare-bones travel. Especially because most Ryanair flights I take are no longer than 2-3 hours, I can handle a bit of discomfort (which again, isn’t all that bad) for 3 hours if it means I’m saving hundreds of dollars on a flight.
Just think, that’s money that can go to more travel experiences or even an upgraded hotel room. That’s a biggie for me.
And in my opinion, people love to hate on Ryanair for the sake of hating on Ryanair. Because even after all the poor reviews, Ryanair continues to be one of the most popular ways to fly in Europe for good reason. And no one is claiming it’s a luxurious pick 😉