Budget airlines have transformed European travel, making it possible to fly from London to Barcelona for less than a decent meal. But the base fare is only the beginning. Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling, and Norwegian all use the same playbook: advertise an impossibly low fare, then layer on fees until casual travelers end up paying more than a legacy carrier would have charged. Here is how to beat them at their own game.

Know the Big Five and Their Quirks

Ryanair is the largest and the most aggressive with fees. They charge for everything from checked bags (€25-50) to priority boarding with a cabin bag (€6-36). Their app is essentially mandatory since airport check-in costs €55. easyJet is slightly more forgiving, allowing one cabin bag free (must fit under the seat), but charges for overhead bin access. Wizz Air mirrors Ryanair’s model closely, serving primarily Central and Eastern European routes. Vueling operates as a Ryanair alternative in Spain and is moderately priced on extras. Norwegian offers a more traditional low-cost model with clearer fare bundles on its Scandinavian and European routes.

The Baggage Trap

This is where most travelers lose money. Ryanair’s base fare includes only a small personal bag (40x20x25 cm) that must fit under the seat in front of you. That is roughly the size of a large purse or slim backpack. A full-size carry-on for the overhead bin requires a Priority or Plus upgrade (€6-36 depending on the route). A checked bag costs €13-40 online and significantly more at the airport. easyJet allows a slightly larger cabin bag (45x36x20 cm) included free but overhead bin space is first-come, first-served unless you pay for a bundle.

The golden rule: always add bags during initial booking. Adding them later costs more, and gate fees are brutal. Ryanair charges up to €70 for a bag deemed too large at the gate. Invest in a bag that is exactly the right dimensions and bring a tape measure if you are close to the limits. Staff do measure, especially Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Check-In Tricks to Watch For

Ryanair requires you to check in via their app between 24 hours and 2 hours before departure. Miss that window, and you pay €55 for airport check-in. Set a phone alarm. easyJet opens check-in 30 days ahead, and Wizz Air at 24 hours (or earlier with their paid subscription). Always screenshot or save your boarding pass offline in case WiFi is unavailable at the airport.

The Airport Location Trick

Budget airlines love secondary airports with lower landing fees, then name them after the nearest famous city. Paris Beauvais is 85 kilometers and a €17 bus ride from central Paris, turning your €15 flight into something quite different. Frankfurt Hahn is 120 kilometers from Frankfurt. Stockholm Skavsta is 100 kilometers from Stockholm. Milan Bergamo is not Milan. Always check the actual airport location on a map and factor in transfer costs and time before booking.

Seat Selection

Seat selection fees range from €4-20 depending on the airline and position. If you are flying solo and do not care where you sit, skip it. Budget airlines will assign you a random seat at check-in. If you are traveling as a couple or family, paying for at least one adjacent seat is often worthwhile since these airlines will deliberately separate groups to incentivize paid selection.

Booking Tips That Save Real Money

• Book directly on the airline website, never through third-party sites (changes and refunds become nightmarish through intermediaries)
• Fly Tuesday to Thursday for the lowest fares
• Compare the all-in price (fare plus bag plus seat) against legacy carriers like Lufthansa or Air France, which often include luggage
• Use Google Flights to compare, then book direct
• Do not buy travel insurance through the airline checkout process as standalone policies are cheaper
• Budget airlines change fees constantly so verify current policies before every booking

Budget airlines are genuinely useful tools for covering long distances cheaply within Europe. The key is going in with eyes open. Calculate the full cost before clicking buy, pack light enough to avoid bag fees, and always check in on time. Follow those rules and a €20 flight really can be a €20 flight.