⚠️ Hidden Fees on Budget Airlines: Complete Breakdown

The True Cost of Budget Airlines

A €19.99 Ryanair fare can easily become €100+ once fees are added. European budget airlines have perfected the art of unbundling — stripping everything from the base fare and charging separately. Here's every fee you need to know about.

Airline-by-Airline Fee Breakdown

Ryanair

Fee	Cost
Small personal bag (40x20x25cm)	Free (included)
10kg cabin bag (55x40x20cm)	€8-30 (varies by route/timing)
20kg checked bag	€20-60 (€15 at booking, up to €60 at airport)
Seat selection	€5-20 (standard) / €10-40 (front/extra legroom)
Airport check-in (if you forget online)	€55 — the most punishing fee in the industry
Boarding pass reprint	€20
Name change	€115-160
Priority boarding	€6-16

Pro tip: Ryanair's "Regular" bundle (€20-30) includes a 10kg cabin bag and seat selection — often cheaper than buying each separately.

Wizz Air

Fee	Cost
Small personal bag (40x30x20cm)	Free (included)
Cabin bag (carry-on)	€10-35 (must buy Wizz Priority or bundle)
20kg checked bag	€15-50
Seat selection	€5-35
Airport check-in	€35
Name change	€55-105

Note: Wizz Air is strict about bag dimensions. Gate agents frequently measure bags, and oversized bags are charged €45 at the gate — no exceptions.

easyJet

Fee	Cost
Small cabin bag (45x36x20cm)	Free (larger than Ryanair's free allowance)
Overhead locker bag (56x45x25cm)	€8-30 ("Up Front" or "Extra Legroom" seats include it)
23kg checked bag	€15-48
Seat selection	€4-30
Airport check-in	Free at airport kiosks (unlike Ryanair)
Name change	€25-55 (most reasonable of the big three)

easyJet is generally the most traveler-friendly budget airline. Larger free bag allowance, no airport check-in fee, and cheaper name changes.

Vueling

Fee	Cost
Personal item (40x20x30cm)	Free
Cabin bag (55x40x20cm)	€12-40
25kg checked bag	€20-55
Seat selection	€5-25

The Fees That Catch People Off Guard

Credit Card Fees

Ryanair and Wizz Air charge a "payment processing fee" of €1-2 per flight per person. This is technically legal in the EU since 2018 as long as it's not a surcharge on specific card types. Paying by debit card is usually free.

Infant Fees

Babies under 2 don't need a seat but still cost €25-30 per flight on most budget airlines. This surprises many families.

Sports Equipment

Skis, bikes, golf clubs: €30-75 per item per direction. Budget airlines charge per item, not per weight, so a 5kg set of golf clubs costs the same as checked luggage weighing 20kg.

The Seat Assignment Gotcha

If you don't pay for seat selection, you'll be randomly assigned a seat at check-in. For groups traveling together, this often means being seated separately — by design. The airline is counting on you paying €5-40 per person to sit together. For families with young children, Ryanair is required by aviation authorities to seat children with at least one parent for free — but you may need to argue this at the gate.

How to Minimize Budget Airline Costs

1. Travel with a personal bag only — if you can fit everything in a 40x20x25cm bag, you avoid all baggage fees. Compression packing cubes help enormously.
2. Check in online immediately — set a reminder for exactly 24 hours before departure for Ryanair (48 hours for easyJet). Missing online check-in on Ryanair costs €55.
3. Weigh and measure your bag at home — gate agents check dimensions, especially Wizz Air. A kitchen scale and a tape measure save €45.
4. Compare total costs, not base fares — use Google Flights, which shows total price including one checked bag. A €40 easyJet fare may be cheaper than a €20 Ryanair fare after fees.
5. Consider bundles — Ryanair Regular, easyJet Standard, and Wizz Air Plus often save 20-30% vs adding extras individually.
6. Book bags at the time of booking — adding bags later always costs more.

When Budget Airlines Aren't Cheaper

Once you add a checked bag, seat selection, and priority boarding, budget airlines often cost the same as full-service carriers. For example:

• London to Barcelona with a checked bag: Ryanair ~€80 total, British Airways ~€90 total (but BA includes free seat selection, drinks, and lounge access with status)
• Berlin to Rome with a checked bag: easyJet ~€85 total, Lufthansa ~€95 total

For flights under 2 hours where you can travel with just a personal bag, budget airlines offer genuine savings. For longer trips needing checked luggage, compare total costs carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hidden fees on Ryanair?

Ryanair's biggest hidden fees are airport check-in (€55 if you forget to check in online), checked bags (€20-60), seat selection (€5-40), and name changes (€115-160). The base fare only includes a small personal bag (40x20x25cm).

How much does a checked bag cost on European budget airlines?

Checked bag fees range from €15-60 depending on the airline, route, and when you add it. Booking at time of purchase is cheapest (€15-25). Adding at the airport is most expensive (€40-60). Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, and Vueling all charge separately.

What happens if my bag is too big on a budget airline?

Gate agents will charge you a fee to check it — typically €45-55, paid by card at the gate. Wizz Air is the strictest about measuring bags. Always check dimensions at home before you leave.

Is it cheaper to fly budget airlines or full-service carriers in Europe?

For carry-on-only travel, budget airlines save 40-60%. But once you add a checked bag and seat selection, the difference shrinks to 10-15% or disappears entirely. Always compare total costs using Google Flights.

How do I check in online for Ryanair without getting charged?

Ryanair opens online check-in 24 hours before departure (48 hours for Flexi Plus). Set a phone alarm, check in immediately when it opens, and save your boarding pass to your phone. Missing this costs €55 per person for airport check-in.