Ryanair is a Budget Airline based in Dublin, Ireland. Overall rating: 3.2/10. Hubs: Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN), Madrid (MAD).
Ryanair is Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers and the airline most responsible for democratizing air travel across the continent. Founded in 1984 in Dublin, Ryanair pioneered the ultra-low-cost model in Europe, stripping out every service to offer rock-bottom base fares. Today it operates over 2,400 daily flights to more than 200 destinations across 40 countries. For travelers who can pack light and remain flexible on dates, Ryanair offers genuinely remarkable value — return flights within Europe for under €30 total are regularly available on promotional fares.
The key to flying Ryanair economically is understanding its fee structure. The base fare covers only a small personal bag that fits under the seat. Everything else — a larger carry-on bag, checked baggage, seat selection, airport check-in, and even printing a boarding pass at the airport — incurs additional charges. Pre-book bags online when purchasing your ticket, select your seats in advance if you care where you sit, and always use the app to check in. Done right, Ryanair offers unbeatable value. Done wrong, the final price can exceed a full-service carrier.
Ryanair's baggage fees are famously complex — always pre-book bags online rather than at the airport, where fees are significantly higher.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | ★★☆☆ |
| Price | ★★★★ |
| Reliability | ★★★☆ |
| Routes | ★★★★★ |
| Baggage | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Overall | 3.2/5 |
Add baggage during booking — adding bags at the airport costs 2-3x more with budget carriers.
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Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-27.
For the best fares to Ryanair, book 6-8 weeks in advance for short-haul European flights and 2-3 months ahead for long-haul routes. Tuesdays and Wednesdays typically offer lower fares. Shoulder season (spring and autumn) provides the best balance of price and weather.
Ryanair is served by both major international airports and smaller regional ones. Budget airlines often fly into secondary airports that may be further from city centers but offer significantly cheaper fares. Factor in transfer costs when comparing airports — a cheaper flight to a distant airport may not save money overall.
Baggage policies vary significantly between airlines. Full-service carriers typically include 23kg checked luggage, while budget airlines charge extra. Carry-on limits usually range from 7-10kg. Always check your specific airline's policy before packing to avoid expensive airport surcharges.
Major European hubs like London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam typically offer the most direct connections to Ryanair. From North America, direct flights are available from New York, and sometimes from other major cities depending on the season. Connecting flights through European hubs often provide more schedule flexibility.
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