How to Use Budget Airlines Without Hidden Fees

Flying across Europe for less than the price of dinner sounds like a dream. With budget airlines in Europe offering fares as low as €10, it’s never been more affordable to explore the continent. But there’s a catch: hidden fees. From baggage surprises to seat selection costs, these can turn your “cheap” flight into a mini financial ambush.

So how do savvy travellers actually score cheap flights without falling victim to the fine print? In this guide, we’ll uncover the most common budget airline pitfalls—and the best travel hacks to avoid them. Whether you’re hopping from London to Lisbon or backpacking your way through the Balkans, here’s how to fly smart without spending a cent more than necessary.

The Allure of Budget Airlines in Europe

Over the past two decades, budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Vueling have revolutionised short-haul travel in Europe. Their model is simple: strip out extras and charge only for what you use.

This à la carte approach lets you control your costs, but it also creates a minefield of optional charges. Want to check a bag? That’s extra. Forgot to print your boarding pass? More fees. Need to sit next to your travel companion? You guessed it—there’s a charge for that too.

Understanding how to navigate these add-ons is the key to keeping your flight genuinely cheap.

Common Hidden Fees to Watch Out For

Before you hit “book,” be aware of the most frequent and costly extras:

• Checked luggage fees (can exceed €50 each way)
• Cabin bag restrictions (some only allow a small personal item)
• Seat selection charges
• Airport check-in fees
• Printing boarding passes at the airport
• Credit card surcharges
• Priority boarding add-ons
• Travel insurance automatically added during checkout

Tip: Always read the airline’s baggage and check-in policies before you finalise your ticket.

Travel Hacks to Avoid Hidden Fees

1. Pack Light and Smart

Many budget airlines in Europe only allow one small personal item for free—usually a bag that fits under the seat in front of you.

How to Beat It:

• Use a compact backpack (e.g., 40x20x25cm for Ryanair)
• Wear your bulkiest items (coats, boots, jumpers)
• Pack multipurpose clothes and limit toiletries

Pro Hack: Use packing cubes to maximise space and organisation.

2. Skip the Seat Selection

Choosing a seat can cost anywhere from €5 to €25. If you’re not picky, let the airline assign one randomly for free.

What to Expect:

• You might not sit with your travel companion
• Bulkhead or emergency exit rows are premium zones—avoid unless necessary

Pro Hack: Check in as early as possible—airlines often allocate better free seats earlier in the process.

3. Check In Online—Always

Some airlines (especially Ryanair) charge up to €55 if you check in at the airport.

Avoid This By:

• Downloading the airline’s app
• Printing your boarding pass (if required)
• Setting a check-in reminder for 24 to 48 hours before your flight

Pro Hack: Screenshot your boarding pass in case the app fails or you lose internet access.

4. Bring Your Own Snacks

Food and drinks on budget flights are notoriously expensive. A sandwich and bottle of water can easily cost €10–€15.

Instead:

• Pack your own snacks (solids are fine through security)
• Bring an empty water bottle and fill it post-security

Pro Hack: Many airports have refill stations—check ahead to save even more.

5. Watch Out for Currency and Payment Charges

When booking in a different currency, airlines often convert prices at unfavourable rates and add “foreign transaction fees.”

What to Do:

• Book in the local currency of the airline
• Use a travel-friendly debit or credit card with no FX fees

Pro Hack: Some platforms let you switch currencies—compare and choose the cheaper option.

Picking the Right Budget Airline

Ryanair

• Base fare: Often the cheapest
• Carry-on: Only one small bag for free
• Check-in: Online only—airport check-in is expensive
• Hidden fees: Known for strict enforcement of bag sizes

easyJet

• Base fare: Slightly higher, but more lenient with hand luggage
• Carry-on: One cabin bag (45x36x20cm), but “Up Front” or “Extra Legroom” fares include larger bags
• Check-in: Straightforward app and website process

Wizz Air

• Great for: Eastern Europe routes
• Carry-on: Only one small item for free unless you purchase WIZZ Priority
• Extras: Watch out for auto-added services—uncheck them during booking

Vueling

• Great for: Spain, Italy, and France
• Bags: Small personal item only unless you upgrade
• Tips: Their website is notorious for slow performance—book during off-peak hours

Smart Booking Strategies

Use Comparison Sites—but Book Direct

Sites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kiwi.com are great for comparing prices, but always book directly with the airline to avoid third-party booking fees and issues with changes.

Why? If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you’ll deal directly with the airline—not a middleman.

Travel Midweek

Flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is often cheapest. Avoid Fridays, Sundays, and holiday periods unless absolutely necessary.

Bonus Tip: Set up price alerts using Skyscanner or Hopper to monitor dips on your chosen routes.

Choose Alternative Airports

Budget airlines often fly into secondary airports, which can be far from the city centre. For example:

• Paris Beauvais (BVA) is 85km from central Paris
• London Stansted (STN) is over an hour by train from London

Solution:

• Check transport costs before booking
• Sometimes paying a bit more to fly into the main airport can actually save money overall

Real Traveller Story: Flying Europe for Under €50

Sara, a 23-year-old backpacker from Bristol, flew from Berlin to Milan, then Milan to Porto—all for under €50.

Her strategy?

• Packed a single under-seat backpack
• Booked both flights 2 weeks in advance
• Checked in via app and brought her own snacks
• Used a debit card with no foreign exchange fees

“Everyone else was paying extra at the gate for bags. I breezed through with zero surprise costs. Planning a little made all the difference.”

What to Do If You Get Hit with a Fee

Mistakes happen—but don’t panic. If you’re charged for oversized bags or late check-in, you can:

• Dispute fees with the airline’s customer service if you feel they were unfair
• Learn the policies for next time—each airline has different dimensions and rules
• Check your travel insurance—some policies cover unexpected costs (though rarely for baggage fees)

Best Advice: Accept it as a lesson and prepare better next time. Budget travel is a learning curve.

Bonus Travel Hacks for Cheap Flights

• Fly early in the morning—those 6am flights are often cheapest
• Use incognito mode when browsing prices
• Join airline newsletters for exclusive promo codes and sales
• Sign up for cashback apps like TopCashback or Revolut Rewards
• Follow budget airline Twitter accounts—flash sales often happen there first

Key Takeaway

Booking with budget airlines in Europe can unlock incredible travel opportunities for next to nothing—if you know how to navigate the traps. From cabin baggage restrictions to seat selection tricks, a bit of knowledge goes a long way. With these travel hacks, you’ll be flying across the continent without ever paying more than you planned.

Travel Cheap, Fly Smart

Budget airlines are here to stay—and they’ve opened the skies to travellers who once could only dream of seeing Europe. But remember, the fare you see is rarely the fare you pay… unless you know what to look for.

So fly light, book right, and dodge those fees. Because the only surprise you want on your trip is discovering just how far your money can take you.