There is a recent discussion thread about the Ryanair next door on our cheap flights forum.

Hi,

Sorry I have the same question. I searched through the cheap flights forum (using the search function) and I can’t find the topic referred to. (I’m getting pages of results…and my more specific searches is coming up with nothing). Can someone provide any insight? If I purchase through Ryanair, am I purchasing an e-tickets? (So I could just go up to the Ryanair counter and show a confirmation number to get on the flights?)

Thanks,
Rach

Rach writes:

quote:If I purchase through Ryanair, am I purchasing an e-tickets? (So I could just go up to the Ryanair counter and show a confirmation number to get on the flights?)

Both RyanAir and Easyjet have ‘open seating.’ As I recall, they do give you a numbered Boarding Pass when you check in (RyanAir at the Gate, EasyJet at the baggage check-in). The earlier you are the lower number you get. Then they board by the numbers so you have a better seat selection the earlier you check in.

quote: Sorry I have the same question. I searched through the cheap flights forum (using the search function) and I can’t find the topic referred to.

Part of that might be that the original topic was from 10 months ago.

I can specifically talk about Ryanair since that’s what I’m most familiar with. Yes, you will have an e-ticket. You can get a great deal on some cheap fares with them, but you should make sure to be away of some of the terms and conditions…

1) You need to check in at least 40 minutes before your flight’s departure or you WILL NOT be allowed on the flight. And not just being in line, you need to be checked in. As Eddie mentioned, the earlier you check in, the better seat you will get as you get a chance to board the plane sooner.

2) Be aware of the baggage rules. You get one checked bag that weighs 15 kg (~33 pounds). For every kilogram you are over, you will be chaged 4.50 British pounds. You also get one carry-on that weighs no more than 10 kg (~22 pounds) and is no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. In previous discussions, people have mentioned they don’t seem to check or care about items in duty-free bags though…

3) Make sure you know where the airport is and how to get from there to town. Some aiports list a major city name, but may actually be 40 km or so from city center (Brussels-Charleroi, Oslo-Torp, etc.). Typically it’s easy to get there, but it may be longer trip (hour+) that you expect. Just be aware in advance…

You may know all of this already, but I like to make sure everybody knows the rules in advance. Almost all of the complaints that I’ve read are from people who didn’t pay attention to the rules in advance and were surprised by them (showed up 38 minutes before the flight and not allowed on, etc.) because like many people, we just click the box agreeing to the terms without really reading them. You don’t want to miss your flight because then you will need to purchase a new ticket at full fare that will be significantly more than the cheap internet fare you originally got.

I hope that helps…

Thanks, Eddie and ricecloudnine, for your help!!

Another tip – Ryanair sometimes suggests shuttle bus services to get to their airports.

So, for example, I used Terravision to get to Rome Ciampino. They suggest specific buses to take for specific flights. (This was actually an EasyJet flight, but the bus is for all people going to Ciampino.)

However, I knew that I prefer to be early rather than late, so took a bus that left an hour before the suggested one. This was a good thing, as the 40-minute ride turned into a 90-minute ride. If someone had taken the suggested bus, he or she likely would have missed the check-in time and thus the flight. I have read of people who were on these buses and the bus was held up due to traffic – there’s no consideration given to this at all and they miss their flights and have to pay for new ones.

You can get travel insurance that will cover you if you make reasonable efforts to arrive at the airport two hours in advance (which the suggested shuttle bus service typically does not do, either by accident or design).

Hi!

I’ve just returned from a month-long trip to Europe, and all my flights within Europe were on Easyjet. Ricecloudnine has already given you some really good advice, this is just a supplement, and some (hopefully useful personal) feedback.

1. Easyjet is a ticketless airline, when you book online they will issue you with a booking code and you just need to note that down.
2. Ricecloudnine is extremely right about arriving at the airport in good time before your flight. Although the easyjet counters are bright orange and easy to find, the queues can be really long and to avoid anxiety, it’s just good to arrive early.
3. Some airports that easyjet serve are now operating a "self check-in" system, where you use a machine to confirm your departure. So look out for those machines in the airports that have these systems. When you book online, Easyjet will tell you if there is such a system on the confirmation page.
4. There are flight delays quite frequently, but they are not severe.
5. You have to pay for food on board, and the prices are expensive.
6. Service and safety are not compromised even though it is a budget airline, and the aircrafts are well-maintained with pleasant staff.
7. Book your flights online as early as possible because the rates rise with each day nearing the departure date.

Having said that, I think Easyjet is pretty good value for money, and I do recommend it. Have a good trip in Europe! Cheers!