The RyanAir checklist

RyanAir is known for cheap flights and draconian baggage restrictions. Unfortunately, it is also the cheapest way to get around Europe, which means that to travel around on a budget, RyanAir is usually the first option.

By the way, has anyone seen RyanAir's website?! It looks so sketchy, I guess they really weren't kidding about the cost-cutting measures - doesn't even look like they hired a graphics designer for their site...

Anyway, here's 9 tips for how to avoid paying more at the check-in - RyanAir makes it very easy for you to unknowingly flout one of their rules and tack a nice extra €50 on - and how to get the most out of the money you're paying when you book.

1) Keep well within the luggage limits. This is by far the most important, and the easiest rule to flout. Your luggage dimensions are 55cm x 40cm x 20cm - no more than that! If you keep well within, you won't have a problem, but if you go over this by even 0.5cm, you will run the risk of paying extra for luggage. I buy my luggage bags 5-10cm under this maximum to make sure that I don't have problems. Sometimes, even if your luggage is within limits, you still get charged an extra €50 for oversized luggage - if your soft luggage sags and you have to squeeze it to make it fit, it's easy to airport staff to make you pay extra.


2) Make sure your name matches your passport exactly. I had a problem with this because I have a Chinese name, and RyanAir's website only asks for your first, middle, and last names - but there isn't a space for my Chinese name, which comes after my last name. To get around this I had to put my Chinese name and last names together (Ang Yi Hui) when buying my ticket online. In addition, make sure every single letter matches your passport when you enter your name when buying your ticket - changing your name, even for one single letter, will cost you a cool €160 per flight - €320 for a return.

3) Check in online. Whether you're the Queen of England or the President of the United States, you have to check in online. Check-in desks at the airport don't exist - RyanAir has gone 100% web check-in, and up to a maximum of 4h before departure time. It's only after you've checked in online that you'll be able to obtain your boarding pass anyway, which leads me to the next point...

4) Print your boarding pass before getting to the airport. And make sure they're each printed on individual single-sided pieces of A4 paper. Your entire boarding pass includes colour, any advertisements, and making sure that the page is in good quality. Also, if you aren't an EU citizen, remember to have your travel documents checked and passport stamped before going to the boarding gate; this will be located before airport security at the airport bag drop/passport-visa check desk. Reprinting your boarding pass (up to a maximum of 40 minutes before flight departure) will cost you €60. If you don't get your boarding pass in time, you'll have to buy another flight.

5) When booking, don't bother with the extras. You'll be asked if you want travel insurance, SMS notifications, RyanAir guaranteed luggage, and a whole host of other extras. When you buy your ticket, you will have to deselect these options, as they're selected by default. Just make sure that you're careful and you won't need them.

6) Bring your own snacks and entertainment. In-flight options are expensive - a bottle of water is €2.70. You get the idea.

7) Don't buy duty-free. Even if you buy something after immigration, if it doesn't fit in your one-piece luggage, RyanAir will charge you for the extra bag. Shopping bags, handbags, absolutely nothing in any sort of bag must go beyond your one-piece 10kg luggage. However, there are ways to get around some of these luggage restrictions...

8) Wear as many clothes as you can. While you can't bring on any more than one bag, it's hard for me to see RyanAir asking you to take your clothes off. So wear four shirts, three pairs of pants, and two coats if you must. You'll be able to bring your favourite clothes along without infringing any rules. Special jackets are available that let you wear some of your items - those are useful, too, and available in several different makes for every budget. Put your passport and important things in your coat pockets.

9) Make sure you know your flight number and what time it takes off. It sounds like common sense, but always, always, always check and double-check!!! Aim to be at the airport two hours before, more if possible.