Ryanair

Ryanair is an Irish low-cost airline and one of the largest carriers in Europe by passengers. It flies point to point from dozens of bases across Europe, with routes reaching North Africa and the Middle East, and keeps its headline fares low by charging separately for almost everything beyond a seat and a small bag. Used well, it is very cheap. Used carelessly, the add-ons and airport fees can cost more than the ticket.

Network and bases

Ryanair does not run a classic hub-and-spoke network. Aircraft are based at many airports and fly direct routes from there, so connections are not protected: if you book two separate Ryanair flights and miss the second, that is your problem, not the airline’s. Ryanair’s head office is in Dublin, and many routes use secondary airports rather than a city’s main one, so always check which airport you are flying into and how far it is from where you are staying.

Baggage allowance

According to Ryanair’s official bag policy:

• Every fare includes one small personal bag of up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm that must fit under the seat in front of you.
• Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (a paid add-on, or included in some fare bundles) adds a 10 kg bag of up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm in the overhead locker, plus priority boarding.
• Checked bags are sold separately: a 10 kg check-in bag, a 20 kg bag (up to three per booking) and a 23 kg bag (one per booking).
• Infants on an adult’s lap have no cabin allowance of their own but may bring a baby bag of up to 5 kg (45 x 35 x 20 cm), and two items of baby equipment are carried free.

Buy any bag you need when booking or in “My Bookings” well before the airport. Bags that do not meet the rules at the gate are moved to the hold for a fee, and gate fees are higher than online prices.

Check-in and boarding pass

• Online check-in is mandatory for most passengers. With a randomly allocated (free) seat it opens 24 hours before departure; if you pay for a seat, you can check in up to 60 days ahead. It closes 2 hours before departure. (Official check-in times)
• Airport check-in costs extra. Passengers who have not checked in online can still check in at the airport, but an airport check-in fee per passenger applies (see the Table of Fees).
• Airport check-in and bag-drop closing times are changing. Ryanair states that from 10 November 2026, airport check-in and bag drop close 60 minutes before departure instead of 40 minutes. Plan to arrive early if you are dropping a bag.
• Digital boarding pass only. Since 12 November 2025, Ryanair no longer issues paper boarding passes: after online check-in your boarding pass appears in the Ryanair app, and you show it at security and at the gate. (Digital Boarding Pass FAQ)

Seats, food and onboard service

Seat selection is paid. If you do not buy a seat, one is allocated at random when you check in, which means groups and families who want to sit together usually need to pay for seats. Food, drinks and snacks are sold on board rather than included. There is no premium cabin.

Changes, cancellations and refunds

Standard Ryanair fares are designed to be non-refundable; changing a flight normally involves a change fee plus any fare difference, both shown in Manage Booking before you confirm. If Ryanair cancels or significantly disrupts your flight, you can request a refund or re-routing through its disruption refund process. For flights covered by EU or UK rules, you may also be entitled to care and, in some cases, compensation: see the EU passenger rights portal or the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Practical tips

• Measure your free bag. 40 x 30 x 20 cm is small: a soft backpack that compresses is easier than a rigid case.
• Check in online as soon as your window opens, and make sure the app has your boarding pass before you leave for the airport.
• Price the extras before comparing fares. A cheap Ryanair fare plus a cabin bag, a checked bag and seats can end up close to a full-service ticket.
• Look at the airport, not just the city. Budget the time and cost of the transfer with our Airport Transfer Cost Calculator.
• Do not rely on self-made connections. If you link two flights yourself, leave a very generous gap; our Layover Planner helps you size it.

Official links

• Booking and Manage Booking: ryanair.com
• Bag policy: Ryanair bag policy
• Help centre and contact: Ryanair Help Centre

Rules and services checked against official sources in October 2026. Airlines and airports change their policies, fares and services regularly: always confirm the details for your own booking on the official pages linked here before you travel.

Header photo: MarcelX42 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0