When we fly to Europe, we’re usually there for a good stretch. I’ve always said: it costs a lot to get there, but once you’re there, it’s shockingly cheap to hop around. European budget airlines are infamous for their strict rules, stripped-back amenities, and occasionally chaotic boarding processes — but when you can fly from Italy to Croatia for $15, it’s worth every quirk.
As a study abroad alum (read: someone who once spent a semester in Spain with more Ryanair boarding passes than socks), I first met budget airlines in 2016. $45 to Paris? $60 to Budapest? $80 round trip to London? SOLD.
I was nervous that first time — convinced I’d be flying in a lawn chair with my carry-on tied to the wing — but honestly? It was fine. Like flying Southwest back home, but with more rules and better scenery out the window. Since then, I’ve racked up dozens of flights on Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet, Aegean, Transavia, TAP Air Portugal… and while they’re not glamorous, they’re a ridiculously good tool for European travel.
Here’s everything I’ve learned about flying European budget airlines — the tips, the unspoken rules, and the mistakes you don’t have to make.
Why it is worth it to fly European budget airlines
A $20 ticket from Rome to Athens is the stuff travel dreams are made of. Budget airlines make the entire continent feel small, opening up destinations you might skip if you had to take a train or a pricey full-service flight.
Yes, there are trade-offs: no free drinks, stricter baggage rules, and the occasional game of “will my carry-on fit?” But if you know the system, you can travel smoothly (and cheaply).
My Golden Rules for Surviving — and Thriving — on European Budget Airlines
Travel Carry-On Only
We travel carry-on only, even when we’re gone for a month. It’s not a lifestyle for everyone, but it saves us time, money, and stress. No checked bag fees, no lost luggage panic, and no waiting in long check-in lines.
But here’s the truth: budget airlines are hawk-eyed about carry-on sizing and weight. Even if your bag fit on three other flights, there’s always that flash of anxiety at the boarding gate when you wonder if this is the day they make you check it.
Check the Carry-On Rules — Every. Single. Time.
In recent years, most budget airlines have tightened their free baggage allowances. The standard “personal item” is usually a small backpack or purse. Want a larger carry-on? You’ll often need to pay for a higher fare class or add it as an extra.
Airlines like Ryanair and Vueling have different size limits than EasyJet or Transavia — and those limits can change. I’m obsessed with Away’s luggage guide, which tells you exactly which airlines their suitcases fit. I have The Bigger Carry-On and, yes, I now wish I’d ordered it in pink.
Set Up Google Flights Alerts
This is my favorite way to score deals. Here’s how:
- Go to Google Flights.
- Search your route — say, Barcelona to Lisbon.
- Turn on the “Track Prices” toggle (you’ll need to be signed in to Google).
- Do this for multiple routes and dates.
- Watch your inbox — Google will email you when prices drop.
Pro tip: track more than one departure airport. In Europe, taking a train or bus to a nearby city with a cheaper flight is often worth it.
Book the Earliest Flight of the Day
Budget airlines are infamous for delays… and cancellations. The earlier your flight, the less likely it is to be affected by a snowball of delays. Yes, 5:30 a.m. wake-up calls are brutal, but they’re better than spending six hours in a terminal playing “How Many Airport Sandwiches Can One Person Eat?”
Check In Early — Really Early
Unlike U.S. airlines, budget carriers often open online check-in 30–60 days before departure. This is a huge win if you do it before your trip — you can print boarding passes at home, choose seats (if you’re paying for them), and skip a frantic app download in an Airbnb lobby.
And beware: if you miss the online check-in window (often closing around 12 hours before departure), you could be stuck in a long line at the airport — and some airlines will charge you to check in there.
Download the Airline’s App (Before You Leave Home)
Do this while you still have reliable Wi-Fi. Download the app, log in, and add your boarding passes to your Apple Wallet. Then screenshot them. Yes, it’s overkill. But I’ve been saved by that screenshot more than once when the app wouldn’t load at security.
Be at the Gate Early — But Smart Early
Normally, I’m a “lounge until the last possible minute” kind of traveler. But budget airlines? Whole different ball game. Sometimes they start boarding early and in a way that feels like a fire drill. Find a seat near the gate where you can hear announcements, and be ready to move.
Bring Your Own Food (And Water)
Most budget flights don’t include free snacks, drinks, or even water. Some sell them onboard, but prices are… ambitious. Eat before you fly or bring your own. I like to grab a sandwich from a bakery on the way to the airport — it’s cheaper, better, and far more Instagrammable than a €7 packet of Pringles.
Know What You’re Paying For (And Not Paying For)
Budget airlines keep fares low by charging for extras: seat selection, larger carry-ons, early boarding, water, even paper boarding passes. My rule? Decide in advance what’s worth paying for. I’ll happily spend €8 to bring my carry-on into the cabin, and €2 to make sure I’m not in a middle seat.
When you factor in those fees, your “€10 flight” might actually be €24 — still an amazing deal, but one you’re prepared for.
Manage Your Expectations (And Enjoy the Ride)
Budget airlines are not Emirates. Set your expectations low — not in a pessimistic way, but in a “I’m grateful to get to Santorini for less than the cost of lunch” way. Things will happen. Delays, gate changes, boarding chaos. Roll with it, and you’ll be fine.
Bonus Tip: Follow Ryanair on Social Media
Their TikTok and Instagram teams are chef’s kiss. If you’re going to fly with them, you might as well enjoy the self-aware memes about their own baggage policy.
Final Thoughts
Flying European budget airlines isn’t about luxury — it’s about freedom. Freedom to hop from one country to another for the price of a night out, to tack on that extra city you’ve always wanted to see, to treat the continent like your personal playground. Most of these flights are less than an hour – two at the most – which makes them manageable (nothing like the long-haul flights where you need a little more than the bare necessities).
Pack light. Read the fine print. Keep your expectations realistic and your boarding pass in your phone and your screenshots. And then? Enjoy the ridiculous magic of sipping coffee in Rome and eating dinner in Dubrovnik — all on a plane ticket that cost less than your airport latte.
