Holiday adverts are back on the telly and reports that bookings are on the rise are rife. But when it comes to the nitty gritty of cost for this year's break, holidaymakers and travellers have been warned to look out for the hidden - or not so hidden - extras.
There is no denying that Ryanair offers some of the hardest-to-beat fares. You could hop on to a flight to Rome from East Midlands Airport, for instance, on April 25 and be charged just £32.99 if you booked it now. However, travellers should always remember that this is a budget airline, and while the headline rate may stop you in your tracks, if you want more that a no frills trip with a small carry on bag, then you'll need to put your hand a little deeper into your pocket.
Be aware that the low cost airline charges for anything and everything extra. Plus, according to Chronicle Live, you can expect to wait the longest, board last and disembark last. The Nottinghamshire Live sister publication added that "there’s no chance of you being sat next to your friends or family when you fly", unless of course you pay extra.
Read more: UK travellers pay £6 extra to fly to 30 countries in 2023 including Spain, France, Italy and Germany
So, just what extras can and do you pay more for? Charges are all displayed upfront, so don't worry about hidden costs, but let's start with baggage. The cheapest, most basic Ryanair flights come with a small personal item included, which means your handbag or small backpack is covered. However, anything larger and you'll have to pay extra.
These prices are per flight, not per journey, and are priced at the time of booking. For late additions or extras added on at the airport, expect to pay a larger fee.
Next on the list is seats. Yes, you have booked a seat on the plane, but where you sit will be quite random unless you pay extra to select your seats. Booking together will not necessarily mean that your party will be sitting together, so if you want to share your travel sweets with the person you are holidaying with, make sure you book seats together. Here's what it will cost you, depending upon your preference.
Next comes admin fees. If you want to avoid online check-in and simply check in at the airport, then Ryanair will charge you a £50 fee. They’ll also bill you £20 to reissue your boarding pass, which is included if you check in online but don’t print your boarding pass.
Like most airlines, if you need to change your flight booking, there will be a charge. With Ryanair it will cost you £45 if you do it online or £60 with an agent at the airport. Changing the name on your booking will come at the hefty price of £115.
Missing a flight will rack up another cost. If you miss your flight and want to get on to the next one, Ryanair may charge you £100. They will also add a £50 booking fee on to any flight bookings made with an agent in-person at the airport.
Food isn't included in your ticket price so you'll need to either pre-book and pay for food and drink or buy from the onboard trolley as it passes your seat. While this may be expected, perhaps one of the most confusing fees on the 'extras' list is for something it calls a “therapeutic oxygen reservation fee”. This £55 extra cost is for those who need therapeutic oxygen for medical reasons as they are not permitted to bring their own onboard the flight for safety reasons.
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