It is true that Ryanair offers great prices and low-cost flights to destinations around the Europe and further afield. Though we have ask before, is this to last, or is it the end of cheap flights. But like all low-cost airlines, there are little extras that can trip you up and end up turning a cheap ticket into a more expensive one. Here are some tips to master Ryanair and make sure your budget flight stays on budget.
Understand luggage allowances
The most common area that people fall foul of Ryanair's rules in around luggage allowances. You can have one small bag that is no bigger than 35 x 20 x 20cm as well as one larger cabin bag no bigger than 55 x 40 x 20cm. There is a maximum weight allowance of 10kg. There is also a limit for all bags at 20kg and a charge of £35 that is applied if you exceed this.
If you are a priority boarding customer, you are allowed to bring two carry-on bags but otherwise, you are only allowed one smaller carry-on bag on board while the second one must be placed in the hold.
Unlike many of the low-cost airlines, Ryanair does allow a small cabin bag as well as standard carry-on luggage, so this can be used to carry those important items such as passport and money. You may still have to put larger carry-on bags in the hold but if you are within size limits, they won't charge you for this. You can even pay 'approved' luggage to be certain your bags are within the dimension limits.
Check booking return flights in Euros
With Ryanair being an Irish company, it can sometimes save you money if you look at booking the return flight in Euros. According to Money Saving Expert, if you book your outbound flight first then swap to the version of the Ryanair site of the country you are returning from (for example, Spain) then look for the return flight.
There are a couple of things to watch - don't go for their 'guaranteed exchange rate' when you enter your card details as this will kill your saving. You can just click 'more information' and opt out of this to avoid this step. Also, watch you don't get a foreign currency transaction from your card provider. Savings might not be huge but even £20 is a little more in your pocket for the holiday.
Use the advanced check-in feature
It is very important to check in online and either download or print your boarding pass otherwise you could end up paying around £50 per person on the day. You can now check in up to four days ahead of the flight free of charge and can use their app for your smartphone to do it.
You can also use the app to choose a seat with a charge being anywhere from £2-11 a time. If you don't pay for the seat, you can check in for free anywhere from four days to two hours before. If you pay for a seat, you can book in for free up to 60 days before the flight.
Remember transfer costs
One thing about Ryanair - they often use airports that are outside the city or area you are visiting and that means when you are looking at costs, don't forget to factor in transfers. For example, in Stockholm, they fly to the Skavasta airport - 65 miles outside the city and a two-hour bus ride. Frankfurt Hahn is 75 miles from the city and the return by bus is around £22. But you can fly with British Airways to Frankfurt Main which is seven miles from the city centre and £8 by train. Always consider this when choosing your ticket. If you have a question and need to call the airliner, then click here.
