That £19.99 Ryanair fare is not really £19.99. European budget airlines have perfected the art of ancillary revenue — charging extra for everything from a cabin bag to choosing your seat, printing your boarding pass at the airport, or paying with a credit card. Understanding these fees before you book can save you from nasty surprises and help you accurately compare the true cost of budget vs. full-service travel. The hidden cost structure is not a trick — it's a deliberate business model that enables the low base fares to exist. The key is knowing the rules and playing by them.
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The largest fee variable is baggage. Ryanair only includes a small personal bag (40x20x25cm) that fits under the seat — if you want a cabin bag for the overhead locker, you pay. EasyJet includes a larger carry-on (56x45x25cm) in all fares, which is enough for many travelers. Wizz Air has the most restrictive free allowance: a small bag (40x30x20cm) only, with the cabin bag requiring purchase. Checked baggage across all budget airlines runs approximately £/€12–25 per bag when pre-booked online, doubling to £/€40–60 at the airport. Pre-booking bags is almost always significantly cheaper — this is the single most important budget airline hack. The breakdown by airline: Ryanair charges £6–26 for cabin bags (pre-booked, varies by route); easyJet charges £/€12–35 for checked bags; Wizz Air charges £/€14–60 for cabin bags and £/€12–45 for checked bags.
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Budget airlines generate significant revenue from seat selection charges. On Ryanair, choosing a specific seat costs £/€4–20 depending on location (extra legroom seats cost more). EasyJet charges £/€5–30 for seat selection. If you don't pay, you're randomly allocated a seat at check-in. Traveling in a group and want to sit together? Pay for seat selection. Ryanair also still charges £/€70 per person for check-in at the airport if you haven't done so online or via the app — this is arguably the harshest fee in European aviation. Always check in online (free) 2–7 days before departure. Credit card surcharges have been largely banned in the EU since 2018, but debit card fees still apply with some carriers. Prepaid cards may also be charged as credit cards.
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Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-27.
Only if it's the small personal bag (40x20x25cm) that fits under the seat. A larger cabin bag for the overhead locker requires purchasing Priority boarding (€/£6–26, route-dependent) or paying for a cabin bag add-on. Pre-booking online is always significantly cheaper than paying at the gate.
Budget airlines have gauge boxes at the gate. If your bag doesn't fit, you'll be charged a gate bag fee — which is typically the most expensive option (€/£40–50 on Ryanair, €/£50 on Wizz Air). Always check your bag dimensions before arriving at the airport.
Ryanair accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards with no fee since the EU ban in 2018. Prepaid Mastercard cards may be treated differently. Certain non-EU routes may still have card fees. Always check the checkout page for fee confirmation before completing your booking.
EasyJet includes the largest cabin bag free (56x45x25cm) with all fares, making it the most generous for carry-on travelers. Ryanair's Priority boarding cabin bag (55x40x20cm) is comparable but must be paid for. Wizz Air is the most restrictive with only a very small free bag.
For the best fares to Budget Airline Fees Explained, 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.
Budget Airline Fees Explained 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 Budget Airline Fees Explained. 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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