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Considering taking a cheap Ryanair flight? Here is what you need to make your Ryanair flight more comfortable. Contrary to what some might tell you, it absolutely is possible to have an insanely cheap AND enjoyable Ryanair flight. After flying dozens of times with the airline I’ve put together this guide on getting the most from your Ryanair experience.
1. Watch for sales and book in advance
2. Be sure to print your boarding pass before heading to the airport.
Unlike other airlines, Ryanair requires you to check-in online and print your boarding pass before you reach the airport. Forgetting this important step can cost you $50 or more, as Ryanair has zero tolerance for passengers that show up at the check-in counter without their documents in hand.
3. Check your departure & arrival airports
Searching through Ryanair destinations, you’ll notice that this airline often uses smaller, less-popular airports that can be hours away from the city you want to visit. For example the “Paris Beauvais” airport is almost 60 miles from the city center, and “Stockholm Skavsta Airport” is even slightly further. When calculating if a Ryanair ticket will actually save you money, don’t forget to add in the extra cost of getting to some distant airport for your flight. If you scored a great deal on a Ryanair flight departing from London Stanstead airport, don’t be surprised when simply getting to this remote departure airport from central London costs nearly as much as (or more than) your cheap flight.
4. Buy trip insurance (but not from Ryanair)
This is particularly true if you are taking a Ryanair flight and connecting shortly after to a flight on a different airline. Try Squaremouth.com for a good selection of budget travel insurance plans. Without travel insurance, any delay in the Ryanair schedule could mean loosing your seat on the connecting flight. After several times when travel insurance really came in handy, I buy travel insurance from Squaremouth.com every time I leave the country. Plus considering that Ryanair customer service leaves a lot to be desired, the airline tends to do a bad job of taking care of passengers if you are to get stranded.
5. Don’t go for the upsells!
a. Don’t pay for assigned seats
Ryanair recently ditched their old ‘city bus’ style of seat allocation and started assigning passengers seats at check-in. Ryanair flights are short, and none of the seats are particularly comfy, so don’t get caught up with where on the airplane you’re seated.
b. Don’t buy Ryanair’s travel insurance
You can get much better travel insurance that really fits your needs, at a better price from Squaremouth.com. I always buy travel insurance through SquareMouth because they have a great tool to compare plans from different companies, their service is great and the prices are good. I’ve found that having travel insurance is super helpful in those cases where flights get cancelled, missed connections, etc.
c. Don’t pay for an ‘SMS Confirmation’
This is probably the most useless of all Ryanair upsells. You’ll need to check in for your Ryanair flight and print your boarding pass before you leave for the airport anyway, so I’m not sure how a text message from Ryanair would help anything. Make sure to skip this useless add-on.
d. Don’t Pre-Book Your Airport Transfer On Ryanair.com
Ryanair usually charges just slightly more than the normal retail rates for pre-booked airport transfers. While this isn’t a total rip-off, it’s generally not worth it. Most airports are full of bus companies, trains, taxi drivers etc. all competing for your business. Head to the airport’s tourist information desk when you land and get the low-down on the cheapest/best way to get where you’re going. Chances are you’ll get the best price this way.
e. Only pay extra for luggage you’re SURE you’ll need
Like most cheap airlines, Ryanair uses all kinds of scare tactics to get you to pre-book checked bags. However I pack lite and I’ve never paid to check a bag on Ryanair (See my post here on how to avoid checking bags). Ryanair.com makes it seem that if your carry-on bag is one inch too large, you’ll be stuck with a huge oversize baggage fine at the boarding gate. In reality the rules aren’t strictly enforced (although Ryanair is known for being more particular than other budget airlines).
6. Bring snacks for the ride!
7. Re-check your bags on connecting Ryanair flights
Let’s say you pieced together a Ryanair itinerary to get you from Budapest to London and then from London to Dublin a couple hours later. Be warned that when you arrive in London to catch your connecting flight on to Ireland, you’ll actually need to pickup your checked bag from the baggage claim, and check it in again for your next flight. Be sure to allow plenty of time to claim your luggage and check in again during your connection, as you certainly aren’t the only one going from London to Dublin today.
8. Know your rights.
Booking your ticket directly on Ryanair.com now gets you a few privileges that even non-budget airlines sometimes won’t allow. Within 24 hours of purchasing a ticket on Ryanair.com, you can now make “minor” corrections to your booking, such as correcting passenger names, spellings and routings. Given the non-specifics available from Ryanair regarding this new policy, I suggest contacting the airline about any changes with a polite but determined attitude. Read more: Air Travel Tips for Seniors
9. Need some extra sanity? Book a ‘Quiet Flight’.
All Ryanair flights that operate before 8am and after 9pm local time are now considered ‘quiet flights’. Your fellow passengers may or may not be on board with the whole ‘quiet’ concept, but at least the airline pledges to dim the cabin lights and keep PA announcements to a bare minimum.
Related reads
- Is Ryanair the new Eurail Pass?
- The ultimate guide to smart airline seat selection
- Airplane travel tips
Related travel guides
Keep planning with these closely related guides from Truly Traveled:
- 10 Most Beautiful And Amazing Airports In The World ! - stays in the same travel category for deeper research.
- The Best Cheap Flight Tool You’ve Never Heard Of - adds another practical airfare or airline planning step.
- America’s Worst Airports - stays in the same travel category for deeper research.
- Knowing You Found a Bargain Airfare - adds another practical airfare or airline planning step.
Updated Planning Notes
Use this guide as a starting point, then verify the details that change fastest: opening hours, ferry or flight schedules, local transport rules, entry fees, seasonal closures, weather alerts, and booking requirements. For Getting the Most From Your Ryanair Experience, the best itinerary is usually the one that keeps the original appeal of the destination while leaving enough flexibility for real-world travel conditions.
If you are comparing several options, start with timing and logistics before choosing hotels or tours. A slightly less famous area can be the better choice when it gives you easier transport, better prices, or more time actually enjoying the trip instead of moving between stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I use this guide today?
Use the main article for inspiration and route ideas, then confirm current prices, local rules, and availability close to your travel dates. Travel details can change quickly, especially around holidays and high season.
What is the best way to avoid overplanning?
Choose two or three priorities and build the trip around them. Keep one flexible block for weather, transport delays, or a slower local experience that you discover after arrival.
Is this still useful for budget planning?
Yes. The best budget decisions usually come from reducing transfers, booking the right base, eating locally, and avoiding peak travel windows when possible.
What should I check before booking?
Confirm transport connections, cancellation rules, neighborhood location, seasonal weather, and whether major attractions require advance reservations.
