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HOW TO: AVOID GETTING JIPPED ON RYANAIR

By Unknown - 5:41 PM

Ryanair, love it or hate it, one thing is certain: it gets you places on the cheap. I, personally, love it and get a bit irked when people hate on it. Do you want great customer service, seats that lean back, connecting flights, no ads during your flight, more carry-on baggage allowance, the ability to print your boarding pass at the airport, in-flight beverage service and entertainment, free checked baggage, and reserved seats? THEN FLY ANOTHER AIRLINE or PAY THE RYANAIR FEES. It's that simple.

However, if you want to keep that ticket cost as advertised, you will need to follow my guide. Budget travel is not the easiest or most convenient, but it saves you money and that is the trade-off.

Flight to London

This is the actual, final cost of this flight to London if you follow these steps.



Begin with the Booking


Google Map the airport. Sometimes the airport is no where close to the actual city, i.e. Frankfurt Hahn. Figure out how you will get to-and-from the airport and calculate this when comparing prices to other airlines factoring in time and cost. The bus, train, or taxi fees could add up quick!

Do not select any of the add-ons. 


    1. No, I don't want to check a bag. (Side note: If you know you will be carrying a large bag, it's cheaper to pay upfront here than at the airport. However, I am instructing on how to get the price it states).

    2. No, I don't want priority boarding.

    3. Travel without insurance.

    4. No, I don't want to reserve a seat.

    5. No, I don't want a text confirmation.

    6. Popup: Again, no thanks, I don't want travel insurance.

    7. I do not require RyanairTalk.

    8. I do not require transfer.

    9. No, I don't want official Ryanair cabin luggage.

    10. And lastly, no, I don't want to rent a car.



Watch the exchange rate. When purchasing your flight with a non-Euro bank account, you have the option to accept the Ryanair exchange rate or your bank's. Once you enter your credit/debit card information, a 'more information' link will appear next to the price. Click this link and uncheck the box (yes, this goes against their recommendation). It is VERY likely that your bank's exchange rate is better than theirs.

Price

Pre-Flight Preparation


Carry On. You may only carry on ONE bag. That includes your purse, ladies (and gentlemen?). Therefore, be sure that your purse will fit into your carry-on luggage. That bag must weigh under 10 Kg (22.2 lbs) with dimensions less than 55cm x 40 cm x 20 cm. In my Ryanair flight experience, I have been checked 50% of the time. The key is being able to shove it in those typical carry-on baggage measure thingys (pictured below).



Ryanair Carry On Baggage Allowance

Check In Online. They will send you a reminder email. Do it. And once again, so no to all those things you did before. You are not required to say yes to any of them even though they might try and include them or sneakily hide the no button.

Pre-print your boarding pass. You better have both of those puppies printed on white, 8.5" x 11" paper for your flight. They even let you pre-check-in for the return so you don't have to worry about doing this during your vacation.

Print Your Boarding Pass

*These screenshots were taken from actual pre-flight email reminders, so in their defense, they did try and warn you.*


Boarding. They won't try and charge you here, but my advice is get at the front of the line. That way, you are first on the plane and have prime seat selection. If they load you up on buses, stand near the doors and race to the back steps of the plane (less people go there).


Lastly, stick in your head phones (drowns out the obnoxious advertisements for food, lotto tickets, etc.), relax, and try and enjoy the not-so-luxurious, but oh-so-cheap flight!


Ryan air inside plane

[caption id="attachment_8726" align="aligncenter" width="960"]Ryanair flight deboarding Welcome to Sicily![/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1064"] Flying over southern Italy[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1064"] Flying over the Swiss Alps[/caption]


My experience with Ryanair so far has been: 1) cheap and 2) on-time; a lot can be said for that. Sure I wasn't the most comfortable, but I ended up in some fantastic places for a fantastic price. If you follow these steps, you may enjoy it, too.

Have you ever flown Ryanair?

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58 comments

  1. StefanoApril 3, 2013 at 5:47 PM

    Old but good trick (not sure this still works) use the browser incognito mode or delete the cookies before booking/searching a flight.

    see this and many others (google knows)
    http://www.bitterwallet.com/save-money-on-ryanair-fares-by-deleting-your-cookies/42133

    ReplyDelete
  2. ifs ands & buttsApril 3, 2013 at 5:53 PM

    Oh wow, thanks Stefano - this is a FANTASTIC tip!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Helene in BetweenApril 3, 2013 at 6:58 PM

    i am literally book marking this post. i am using ryan air a few times when we go to europe. this is so helpful and awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. bevchenApril 3, 2013 at 8:54 PM

    I used to use Ryainair to get home... until they cancelled the flight from KA-Baden to Dublin (I had to fly to Dublin, spend the night in the airport then fly on to Newcastle the next day). Now I take the expensive option (KLM via Amsterdam).

    I find Ryanair better than Easy Jet. I LOATHE Easy Jet though.

    ReplyDelete
  5. KaityApril 3, 2013 at 9:21 PM

    I flew EasyJet in France, instead of RyanAir, although I heard lots of horror stories/warnings about RyanAir from my program coordinator. I think the airway and its procedures definitely sounds reasonable, considering what you're paying; you just have to pay attention to what you're doing. but that's true no matter which airline you're flying. one thing I struggled with in Europe is carry-on sizes! wow, European bags are tiny compared to our American supersize-me tendencies. I marveled over the French people wheeling around tiny bags that looked like they could barely hold a pair of shoes - how are you supposed to fit your stuff in that thing??

    p.s. if you're printing your boarding pass in Europe, your paper probably won't be 8.5"x 11" ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. KatrinApril 3, 2013 at 9:42 PM

    One time I have flown from Hahn to Venice and back for 15 Euros. That was great. Sure, it is not the most comfortable flight but it was only an hour so I was completely fine with it. I used my headphones so that I did not have to hear all the advertising. When I flew with Ryanair for the first time I did not know that I am only allowed to carry one bag (including my purse) so I had to repack at the airport which was a mess because the bag was more than 10 kg then. I had so unpack some clothes and wear all of them which surely looked funny. I carried a book in my hands but nobody complained about that.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cat of Sunshine and SiestasApril 3, 2013 at 10:07 PM

    It totally works! I switch between the three computers we collectively own. People hate on Ryan Air (me included), but until everyone stops flying them, it will stay the same. But how can you say no to penny flights?

    ReplyDelete
  8. KatelynApril 3, 2013 at 11:50 PM

    I have flown Ryanair a few times while studying in Spain! You have the love the celebration noise if you make it to your destination on time, hah. My roommate had a terrible experience flying in the winter though because of the snow and RyanAir had no mercy for those stuck in Rome. It gets a little risky flying through bad weather, but I totally think it's worth it for the cheap price!

    ReplyDelete
  9. ifs ands & buttsApril 4, 2013 at 12:43 AM

    Haha it is SO hard to pack sometimes, yet amazing what you can stuff in one of those bags.

    BUT the paper is still 8.5"x11", they just call it A4 instead ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. ifs ands & buttsApril 4, 2013 at 10:20 AM

    YAY glad I could help!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. ifs ands & buttsApril 4, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    I haven't traveled with EasyJet yet because I've been too lazy to go to the Basel/Freiburg/Mulhouse airport. However, I find that their prices never match what RyanAir can offer, but seem to have better destinations sometimes. Anyway, I SO wish they still had that KA->Dublin route, I would definitely take that one! But sounds like an exhausting route home!

    ReplyDelete
  12. ifs ands & buttsApril 4, 2013 at 10:24 AM

    Gah 15 Euros is a fantastic deal! And the headphones are certainly a necessity! Sounds hilarious you in all those clothes - I'm surprised I haven't had to do that on a route back yet after some shopping ;)

    ReplyDelete
  13. ifs ands & buttsApril 4, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    Ya I can imagine serious problems with them with the weather - heck, Euro winters caused me big problems even with KLM. Such a pain. But the noise is in fact hilarious! And I hate how everyone cheers when you land with them, even on a smooth flight.

    ReplyDelete
  14. RosieApril 4, 2013 at 1:43 PM

    I flew Ryan Air in an emergency last year with no checked in luggage and it was good value for a seat on a plane; it's more like an air taxi then a proper flight - and that's fine. If it's longer haul than UK-Germany then I will probably favour Easy Jet over Ryan Air as their service is slightly better (even if it costs a bit more). Incidentally, Ryan Air actively discourages the use of hold space for bags as they sell a lot of their luggage space for the transport of goods for private companies. That's why it's so expensive to check a bag or put an oversize carry-on away. By doing this, they can keep their seat prices lower making foreign travel more affordable and still make enough profit to stay in business. I can't stand people who moan about budget travel when they were too cheap to pay the extra for the all of the extras they expect.

    I mostly fly British Airways for convenience now. It's double the cost of Ryan Air, but I go to a central airport and get 23kg of hold luggage and two pieces of carry-on!

    I don't know what direction this comment is currently taking!

    Great post!

    Rosie xo

    ReplyDelete
  15. ifs ands & buttsApril 5, 2013 at 6:05 PM

    Yeah, in that case BA is definitely a good trade off. Except with them I always worry about the strikes - I feel like they are ALL the time!

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnjaApril 6, 2013 at 9:24 PM

    Very easy to follow these steps... once you are aware of them! You're doing your readers a great favour by listing them all :-)

    After countless ryanair flights in my early twenties (back in the good old days when they allowed luggage and didn't try to get your money by all means) and frankly, I enjoy (and appreciate) other airlines a lot more now ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dominique CoulterApril 7, 2013 at 12:58 AM

    Ha! Way to speak truth girlfriend! Wish you would have written this post a LONG time ago for my sake! I have definitely been there where I missed my 4 hour online check-in, and was caught with a €60 check-in fee, and my baggage was too large (aka, the wheels wouldn't fit!) so I was charged another €55. Other than that, I LOVE em' because their cheap and reliable. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. ifs ands & buttsApril 8, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    Whoa that is definitely a Ryanair horror story - at least those fees were on top of a cheap flight ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. NormaApril 11, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    All that is cool but I've been trying to book Ryanair all day and they already have the insurance boxes ticked and there is no way to un-tick em!!! They mention a non-existent drop=down menu.....ugh I've wasted an evening of rare sunshine.
    Hope you can cast light in this darkness...
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  20. ifs ands & buttsApril 12, 2013 at 2:23 AM

    Under "please select a country of residence" -> you should select "Travel without insurance". Hope this helps.

    ReplyDelete
  21. StevenApril 15, 2013 at 12:14 AM

    I'm a little jealous that you *can* fly Ryanair. I'm in a sort of Ryanair no-fly zone. The closest airports they use to here are both 3+ hours away by rail, which totally takes away the benefit of cheap airfare- Memmingen on one side, and Salzburg on the other. If they flew out of Nuremberg, I would use them all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  22. ifs ands & buttsApril 22, 2013 at 3:52 PM

    Ya, our Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden airport only hosts a few locations, but it's been beneficial enough. Frankfurt Hahn is always SO tempting but is apparently a royal pain in the ass to get to. What's cheap travel though without MAJOR hiccups I suppose...

    ReplyDelete
  23. Norberto StoraniJune 29, 2013 at 11:28 PM

    It's actually not 8.5" X 11", that's only the American Letter Paper, ISO A4 Paper is roughly 8 1/4" X 11 3/4".

    ReplyDelete
  24. j!m georJuly 17, 2013 at 3:29 AM

    Hi! Great post and very helpful.I'll travel on Friday to Brussels and I would like to ask if I can take food with me in my handbag?? It's my first time with Ryan-air (I tried to read all the comments, so if that is answered sorry...)
    I will post my experience after my trip!!! I have travelled with Easy-jet to London and everything was perfect!
    Thanxxx

    ReplyDelete
  25. ifs ands & buttsJuly 18, 2013 at 1:08 PM

    The thing with RyanAir is that everything must fit in one carry on, so for women for example, their purse must be in their bag. If your food fits, I don't see why it's a problem. Have a great trip!

    ReplyDelete
  26. TommyAugust 19, 2013 at 5:29 PM

    But you will at smetime be shagged over and then decide never to fly this shite airline ever again.

    ReplyDelete
  27. idaOctober 15, 2013 at 4:38 AM

    My bag is 23" by 11" by 11". Will that fit in the over head?

    ReplyDelete
  28. ifs ands & buttsOctober 15, 2013 at 2:01 PM

    I think this is a little larger than the carryon baggage allowance, but if it fits in the slot measurer, it will certainly fit in the overhead.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Elaine KnausNovember 21, 2013 at 12:33 PM

    Great article, lots of good tips! I set up a facebook group to try to get Ryainair to restart the KA-Baden to Dublin route: Bring back Ryanair flights between Dublin and Karlsruhe Baden Please like and share

    ReplyDelete
  30. ifs ands & buttsNovember 22, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    Great, Elaine! Thanks for sharing! Beats the hell out of flying out of Frankfurt Hahn.

    Also, we are launching a new blog for Karlsruhe on 1 Dec. Check out the Facebook page for now, http://facebook.com/karlsresource, and let me know if you're interested in getting involved!

    ReplyDelete
  31. anahitharutyunyanNovember 23, 2013 at 8:53 PM

    Hi, I am about to order a flight and I don't need the flight insurance... but I that option pop up and I cannot move without it.. is there a way to avoid paying additional money for it?

    ReplyDelete
  32. ifs ands & buttsNovember 23, 2013 at 10:24 PM

    You need to select "travel without insurance". It is possible.

    ReplyDelete
  33. A-British-African's-Journey-to-the-East.January 17, 2014 at 1:05 AM

    I will be flying ryanair from Brussels to Carcassone, I am wondering if they will be really with the weight of my bag. I am not sure of the measurements but Its the same hand luggage I have used for about 12 flights in the last 12 months, I have never had a problem with it and its been Easyjet mostly and flights round Asia. So yeah, I hope my bag fits and also that they dont weigh it. what are the chances of it being weighed though?

    ReplyDelete
  34. ifs ands & buttsJanuary 17, 2014 at 1:57 PM

    I've never flown out of Brussels, so I don't know their system but I've only been weighed 1 in about 10 times, so I'd say your chances are pretty good.

    ReplyDelete
  35. janmarkFebruary 27, 2014 at 4:16 PM

    So how strict are they really? From USA we print on Letter size 8.5 x 11 paper not A4 which I believe is 8.3 x 11.7. Can the boarding pass be printed on 8.5 x 11?

    ReplyDelete
  36. AlexFebruary 27, 2014 at 7:06 PM

    8.5x11 will suit just fine

    ReplyDelete
  37. Johnny AndersonMarch 4, 2014 at 9:54 PM

    Hi I've read this whole page along with the forum that followed. I'll have a heavy coat with me when I fly, as one can never be aware of the British weather. Am I allowed to carry that on, along with my ONE bag? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  38. AlexMarch 5, 2014 at 2:06 AM

    Ryanair actually changed its policy since I wrote this and now allows a carryon with the above dimensions and a handbag. I can not be sure if you can carry the coat on, but you can certainly wear it on which is what I always do.

    ReplyDelete
  39. charlotte walkerMarch 12, 2014 at 6:09 PM

    i was checking in my boarding pass for the family and it let me book it for coming back but what does it mean if it wont let me book in coming back i have my tickets for going but none for returning what do i do?

    ReplyDelete
  40. AlexMarch 13, 2014 at 12:00 AM

    I am sorry, I don't quite understand your question. Usually, Ryanair lets you check-in for your flight one week out, so if your trip is longer than a week, I recommend using a hotel computer or Internet cafe to check in and print your boarding pass for your return flight. If I misunderstood your question, please try rewording it.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Lorraine CooksonMarch 24, 2014 at 12:22 AM

    This has just happened to me at Ryanair. I was able to print off my outgoing boarding passes but was unable to print the incoming flight passes.I would be interested to know what you did about this.

    ReplyDelete
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  45. ClaireSeptember 7, 2014 at 2:58 PM

    Help?! I'm trying to book a flight but cannot deselect travel insurance!! Can anyone help?.... Claire

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  46. CiaraOctober 1, 2014 at 7:50 PM

    You click "dont insure me"

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  48. JoseJanuary 14, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    Help!!, How can I print out my travel Insurance??

    ReplyDelete
  49. Fly.comJanuary 29, 2015 at 8:19 PM

    Nice post! I am thinking that maybe flying on Ryanair isn't as bad anymore. For example they have started allowing two pieces of hand luggage

    ReplyDelete
  50. SergeiMarch 3, 2015 at 9:36 PM

    Almost booked a cheap flight. Too bad my cards all had a rather ridiculous service fee attached. what a joke. will not recommend to anyone

    ReplyDelete
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  52. AlexCMarch 16, 2015 at 1:34 PM

    Hi,
    I booked a Ryanair flight from Frankfurt Hahn to Rome on 4/25/2015. I'm getting nervous after reading so many bad experiences with Ryanair and thinking of not going to Frankfurt and flying to Rome directly from San Francisco, USA. Are they, Ryanair, getting better now?
    Thanks,
    Alex

    ReplyDelete
  53. Alex, Denglish SpeakerMarch 18, 2015 at 6:49 AM

    Hi Alex,

    As I said, if you follow the instructions, you will be ok! It is really not a bad airline, they just have to find ways to make up for the cheap airfare. Pre-print the boarding place, know the baggage limits, and it will be fine. Just beware that Frankfurt Hahn is actually quite far from Frankfurt so plan your transportation there accordingly.

    ReplyDelete
  54. AuroraApril 3, 2015 at 4:21 PM

    HELP ANYONE? PLEASE?
    I have booked a flight to Rome on May 12th with Rynair.
    However, until now they have changed the flight schedule 3 times and informed me with an electronic notification as usual.
    The two previous times, I agreed with the time change and confirmed them since they were both convenient for me.
    Unfortunately, this time the time difference is huge and I am seriously thinking of cancelling the trip asking my money back. Does anyone know:
    a) how much time do I have before deciding whether to confirm the new flight schedule or ask for a full refund before my departure date? I am asking because today I received from rynair the second notification on this particular flight change and still have not answered them, because I havent made up my mind yet.
    b) if i will not confirm this notification do they conclude that I accept that?
    c) Can I wait without confirming anything, to see if there will be a fourth change that might suit me and save me from canceling the trip or asking for a refund?
    Thanks in advance anyone who would spare some time for replying to me!

    ReplyDelete
  55. RonaldoJuly 3, 2015 at 2:20 PM

    I'm in Cologne and I'm flying out of Frankfurt In order to get to the Hahn airport i can't find a way to get there without going to Frankfurt which is twice as long a trip when compared to if it was possible to go directly

    ReplyDelete
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