While researching backpacking in Europe (http://www.euro-backpacker.com/air.html) I stumbled upon this budget airline called Ryanir.
"Ryanair -- Ryanair is Europe's largest low-cost carrier and it is one of the world's largest and most successful airlines. They offer rock-bottom prices on no-frills flights across Europe. If you can cope with their policies (paying extra for checked luggage, selling lotto tickets in air, high prices for in-flight food etc.), than you can jet around Europe for very little." http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/
I typed in one way tickets from Barcelona to Madrid and it came to 5 euro a piece. This sounds sketchy. Two other cheap airlines the site mentioned were:
-Easyjet -- Easyjet is Ryanair's nicer older brother. Their flights are a bit more comfortable and they don't off the impression that they're a huge scam, but their tickets are a little bit more pricey.
-Whichbudget.com Whichbudget has an index of all European budget airlines and the places they fly. Just plug in a starting airport and it will show you all the places budget airlines fly from there. A really useful site for finding European airfare.
Is European air travel really this cheap or is this all a hoax?
Reply to this Hello Ally 😊
Yes, Ryanair are legitimate and reputable. I have flown with them several times. They are a budget, no frills type of service. As well as the 5 Euros, you would also be charged taxes. That would bring the price up a bit. To find out what the final price would be follow the booking process on their site until they tell you the final price.
Is European air travel really this cheap or is this all a hoax?
It can be very cheap. I sometimes fly from Munich to Madrid(for example) for 29 Euros including tax.
Mel
Reply to this I flew Ryan Air earlier this year, and they are legitimate. Just be aware of their baggage limits (15kg) as they are strict on charging for each extra kilogram. They also have extra charges for such things as payment handling, check-in, and priority boarding - and this is where extra costs can accumulate.
Such charges are common on budget carriers, and they all work on the "user-pays" idea (no free food or drinks etc) and on narrow margains in order to increase passenger numbers. Budget carriers are also popular in Asia as well.
Reply to this Ryan Air is fine... always use it when travelling inside of europe. But you might want to check alternative flight routes. An example: I had to get from norway to belgium in the next 24 hours and I hadnt booked yet. The direct flight to charleroi cost XXXX (don't remember the exact amount), and the route over glasgow was actually a lot cheaper (50+ euros methinks), so took a plane from norway to glasgow and then form glasgow to belgium 😊 so check out all the routes. And also: pay attention when you choose the airports, not all planes fly from every airport to all the destinations ryan air flies to.
What the travel camel is saying is right, you pay about 10 euros for check in. 10 euros for baggage. etc ... you can get an online ticket though if you are only flying with hand luggage (they have a max size, what it is i don't recall - but not too big) and only pay for the flight.
About the excess baggage: If you have a bit too much (I sometimes did) they will usually charge a bit less if you put on a nice smile and are friendly... for ex: if you have 2 kg overweight (in ur bags :P) they will only charge for 1 or drop it.. happened to me lots!
Reply to this Sergio, I think you will need to teach me how to smile properly in order to get a excess baggage overweight discount! I smiled and was friendly, but to no avail!
Reply to this Ryanair is, indeed, a real deal. I've also flown with them a couple of times and it was very cheap. And I was glad with my decision.
EuropeWord
Reply to this Oooh thanks for the fabulous links! Very helpful. :D
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