How to Save Big on Ryanair: The Hidden Costs of Upgrading Your Fare and How to Avoid Them

How to Save Big on Ryanair: The Hidden Costs of Upgrading Your Fare and How to Avoid Them

How to Save Big on Ryanair: The Hidden Costs of Upgrading Your Fare and How to Avoid Them

When booking with Ryanair, it’s tempting to upgrade to the “Regular” or “Plus” fares for added perks like priority boarding, additional luggage, and seat selection. However, new findings have revealed that these upgrades may actually cost you more than simply booking the Basic fare and adding the extras separately. Here’s how savvy passengers can save money and avoid hidden charges when flying with the budget airline.

Don’t Fall for Ryanair’s Regular Fare: It’s Often More Expensive Than You Think!

Many Ryanair customers are led to believe that upgrading to the Regular fare is the best option when booking a flight, especially when it includes extras like priority boarding, carry-on luggage, and seat selection. However, after 30 checks conducted over two years, it has been discovered that booking the Basic fare and adding the extras separately was often cheaper than choosing the more expensive Regular option. In fact, in nearly every instance, the Regular fare was pricier, sometimes by as much as £61 on family bookings.

How Ryanair’s Fare Structure Misleads Travelers: Everything You Should Know

Ryanair’s fare structure can be confusing, with the airline often encouraging passengers to upgrade to a Regular fare. However, a simple check revealed that, for many destinations, the Basic fare followed by optional add-ons works out cheaper. For example, a family of four flying from London Stansted to Alicante would have saved £61 by selecting the Basic fare and adding priority boarding and cabin bags later on. Similarly, passengers on flights from Manchester to Marrakesh saved £45.50 by opting for Basic and purchasing seat selection and luggage separately.

The Ultimate Tip to Save on Ryanair: Skip Family Plus and Flexi Plus Fares

For families traveling with Ryanair, the Family Plus and Flexi Plus options may seem attractive, offering additional bags, seat selection, and flight changes. However, Which? found that these options are often more expensive than necessary. For example, on a flight from London Stansted to Malaga, the Family Plus option would have cost £260 extra for a family of four. Instead, booking Basic and adding three 10kg cabin bags, seat selection, and a 20kg checked suitcase cost just £45 less than opting for the Family Plus fare.

For couples, the Flexi Plus option, which includes the ability to change flights and extra luggage, also proved to be a poor investment. On a flight from London to Alicante, Flexi Plus would have cost an extra £354, but the same benefits, such as two cabin bags and seat selection, could be obtained separately for just £186, saving £168.

Avoid Paying Extra for Travel Insurance and Currency Conversion

When booking with Ryanair, it’s also worth being cautious about adding travel insurance and opting for Ryanair’s currency conversion which recommends passengers to skip Ryanair’s travel insurance, as it’s often not tailored to their needs and tends to be more expensive than alternatives. Similarly, travelers should avoid using Ryanair’s currency conversion service. While the airline often offers to convert the fare into a different currency, it has been found that Ryanair’s exchange rate is usually worse than what travelers can get through their bank’s conversion rate. By opting out of Ryanair’s currency conversion, travelers could save money by allowing their bank to handle the transaction.

How to Make the Most of Ryanair’s Baggage Policy and Save Money

One of the easiest ways to save on Ryanair is by managing baggage carefully. If passengers are willing to forgo priority boarding, they can save £3.50 on a flight to Alicante by checking in one 20kg bag instead of two 10kg hand luggage bags. It’s important to remember, however, that Ryanair has strict size limits for cabin luggage. For a Basic fare, passengers are only allowed one small cabin bag measuring a maximum of 40cm x 30cm x 20cm. Anything larger could result in an additional charge of £46 to £60 at the gate. If passengers wish to bring a larger cabin bag, they must adhere to the size restrictions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm or risk paying a hefty fee of £70 to £75.

Why You Should Skip Ryanair’s Plus Fares and Book the Basic Fare

Ryanair’s Plus fare, which includes a 20kg suitcase and seat selection, can seem like a good deal. However, the study found that booking Basic and adding the extras separately is usually cheaper. For example, on a flight from London Stansted to Malaga, a family of four found it was £35 cheaper to book the Basic fare and add the extras later. Passengers should always calculate the total cost of each option before making a decision.

Flexibility Is Key: Why the Basic Fare with Add-Ons Works Best

The Basic fare offers the most flexibility, allowing passengers to choose only the extras they need. By adding seat selection, cabin luggage, and checked baggage after booking, passengers have full control over what they pay for. This can be especially useful for families who don’t need all the perks of the Family Plus or Flexi Plus fares but still want a comfortable and affordable travel experience.

The Final Verdict: When It Pays to Stick with Ryanair’s Basic Fare

Overall, Which? has shown that Ryanair’s Basic fare, when combined with carefully selected extras, is often the most affordable option. Passengers can save significant amounts by skipping the Regular and Plus fares, which tend to be overpriced. Whether traveling solo, as a couple, or with a family, it’s always advisable to book the Basic fare and carefully assess the cost of adding extras such as luggage and seat selection before confirming the booking.

Image Courtesy: Ryanair

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