Forum › › Budget Airlines in Europe: Ryanair, EasyJet and Hidden Fees

Budget Airlines in Europe: Ryanair, EasyJet and Hidden Fees

Started by BackpackerJake · 5 décembre 2025 · 10 replies · 📖 Read as Guide
B
BackpackerJake
Took 23 budget flights across Europe in one semester
Joined: Jul 2017 Posts: 260
5 décembre 2025 #1
Took 23 budget airline flights across Europe during my gap year. Ryanair 14 times, EasyJet 6 times, Wizz Air 3 times. I have been charged every hidden fee that exists and learned how to avoid most of them. Full breakdown of what they actually charge for and how to fly for genuinely cheap.

Pour aller plus loin, découvrez destinations dog-friendly en France.

↵ Quote ↩ Reply ♡ Like ⚑ Report
W
WanderlustEmma
Flew EasyJet 8 times during Barcelona semester
Joined: Feb 2020Posts: 157
December 09, 2025#2
The EasyJet cabin bag inclusion is why I flew them over Ryanair for every trip longer than a weekend. Not having to stress about bag size at the gate is worth the extra 10-15 euros on the base fare every single time.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
M
MikeFromMichigan
First time flying budget carriers, semester in Prague
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 33
December 13, 2025#3
I paid the 55 euro airport check-in fee on my first Ryanair flight because I did not know online check-in was mandatory. That fee was more than the flight itself. Set the alarm. Do not be me.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
O
OliviaOxford
Used Wizz Air for Eastern Europe trips from Budapest
Joined: Jun 2024Posts: 161
December 17, 2025#4
The Wizz Discount Club paid for itself by my third flight. Budapest to Krakow for 14 euros, Budapest to Sofia for 19 euros, Budapest to Tirana for 22 euros. Eastern Europe on Wizz Air is absurdly cheap if you plan ahead.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
A
AidanDublin
Ryanair home base, flies them weekly
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 201
December 21, 2025#5
Living in Dublin means Ryanair is basically public transport to the continent. One tip nobody mentions: the Ryanair app has a tendency to crash during check-in. Always have a backup plan -- screenshot your booking reference and use the mobile website if the app fails.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
N
NatalieVancouver
Canadian, first time with European budget airlines
Joined: Apr 2022Posts: 111
December 25, 2025#6
Coming from Canada where WestJet and Flair are our budget options, European budget carriers are on another level of cheap. But the fee structure is also more aggressive. This guide would have saved me about 90 euros on my first three flights.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
S
SarahStudiesAbroad
Advisor, fields budget airline questions weekly
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 169
December 29, 2025#7
The EU261 section is important and students rarely know about it. I had a student get 250 euros compensation for a 3.5-hour Ryanair delay on a 24-euro ticket. The system works if you file the claim.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
E
EmmaManchester
Year abroad in Spain, flew 30+ budget flights
Joined: Jul 2019Posts: 78
January 02, 2026#8
One thing to add: Google Flights shows you the total price including one carry-on for EasyJet but only the base fare for Ryanair. Always click through to the actual airline site and add your bags before comparing prices.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
L
LiamLondon
Frequent flyer, London to everywhere
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 21
January 06, 2026#9
The Stansted Express is a rip-off. Take the National Express bus for 8-12 pounds or the Stansted bus to Stratford for 10 pounds and then the Tube. Saves 15-20 pounds each way compared to the train.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
C
CamilleDuval
French student, prefers train but uses budget flights for long routes
Joined: Jan 2019Posts: 128
January 10, 2026#10
Worth comparing with FlixBus and night trains for routes under 800 km. Paris to Barcelona by night train is 59 euros with a bed and you save a hotel night. The math changes when you factor in airport time and transfers.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
R
RyanToronto
Packed for 2 weeks in a Ryanair personal bag
Joined: May 2023Posts: 160
January 14, 2026#11
The Cabin Max Metz backpack is exactly 40x20x25 and I fit 10 days of warm-weather clothes in it with packing cubes. The trick is merino wool base layers -- they weigh nothing and you can wear them multiple days without washing.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
Reply to this topic

You must register or login to post a reply.