Are Budget Airlines Worth It? The Truth About Low-Cost Carriers

A €9.99 flight from London to Barcelona sounds incredible until you reach checkout and the total is €67. Priority boarding: €8. Checked bag: €25. Seat selection: €10. Credit card fee: €2. The advertised fare covered only the right to exist on the plane – everything else costs extra.

Budget airlines revolutionized European travel by offering flights cheaper than train tickets. Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and others created routes that didn't exist before, opening destinations to travelers who couldn't afford traditional airlines. But the "€9.99 fare" marketing obscures the reality: budget airlines aren't necessarily cheap – they're just priced differently.

Understanding how budget airlines work – what's included, what costs extra, when they're genuinely cheaper, and when they're false economy – determines whether you save money or get nickel-and-dimed into paying more than traditional carriers.

This guide breaks down budget airline economics, compares real costs, exposes hidden fees, and explains exactly when low-cost carriers make sense and when they're expensive traps.

Budget Airlines: The Real Cost Beyond the €9.99 Fare

Airport departure board

Budget airlines advertise astonishingly low base fares. The catch: base fare includes almost nothing.

What's actually included in budget airline base fare:

Only this:

• One seat on the plane
• Small personal item (usually 40 x 20 x 25 cm) that fits under seat

That's it.

Everything else – checked bags, carry-on bags (sometimes), seat selection, priority boarding, meals, drinks, entertainment – costs extra.

What costs extra (and how much):

Checked baggage:
€15–60 per bag depending on airline, route, weight, and booking time.

Cabin baggage (larger carry-on):
€6–30 depending on airline. Some budget airlines charge for anything beyond tiny personal item.

Seat selection:
€3–20 per seat depending on location (front rows, extra legroom cost more).

Priority boarding:
€5–15 to board before general passengers.

In-flight food/drinks:
€3–8 for snacks, €4–9 for meals, €3–6 for drinks (no free water except tiny cup).

Printing boarding pass at airport:
€20–55 if you forget to check in online (yes, seriously).

Credit/debit card fees:
€1–5 per booking (some airlines, though EU regulations reduced this).

Flight changes:
€35–70 per change plus fare difference.

Airport check-in:
€25–55 if not checking in online.

Insurance (pushed during booking):
€10–25 (usually overpriced, unnecessary if you have travel insurance).

Example: London to Barcelona breakdown

Advertised fare: €9.99

Actual costs:

• Base fare: €9.99
• Cabin bag (10kg): €12
• Checked bag (20kg): €25
• Seat selection (standard): €6
• Priority boarding: €8
• Card payment fee: €2
• Snack + drink on flight: €9

Total: €71.99 (7x the advertised price)

Traditional airline equivalent: British Airways/Iberia basic economy €75–90 with cabin bag and seat included, checked bag €35 extra.

The budget airline barely saves money and provides worse experience (uncomfortable seats, no legroom, secondary airports).

How Budget Airlines Actually Make Money

Budget airlines operate on completely different model than traditional carriers.

Traditional airlines:

Revenue sources:

• Ticket sales (70–80% of revenue)
• Cargo (5–10%)
• Ancillary fees (15–20%)

Cost structure:

• Hubs in major airports (expensive slots)
• Full-service model (meals, entertainment, baggage included)
• Multiple aircraft types
• Legacy labor agreements (higher wages)

Budget airlines:

Revenue sources:

• Base fare tickets (40–60% of revenue)
• Ancillary fees (40–60% of revenue) – this is critical

Ancillary revenue includes:

• Baggage fees
• Seat selection
• Priority boarding
• Food/beverage sales
• Commission from car rentals, hotels, insurance sold during booking
• Advertising (in-flight magazine, overhead bin ads, announcements)
• Payment fees

Budget airlines profit from fees, not base fares.

The €9.99 fare is marketing – gets you to website. Once there, website design psychologically pressures adding extras.

Cost structure:

• Secondary/tertiary airports (cheaper landing fees)
• Single aircraft type (easier maintenance, pilot training)
• Fast turnarounds (25 minutes vs 45+ minutes for traditional carriers = more flights/day)
• Point-to-point routes (no expensive hub infrastructure)
• Dense seating (30–31 inch pitch vs 32–34 on traditional economy)
• Non-unionized workforce or lower wages
• Charge for everything (reduces included cost)

The psychology of fees:

Budget airlines design booking flows to maximize ancillary purchases:

Default selections:

• Insurance pre-selected (must actively deselect)
• Premium seats highlighted prominently
• Cabin bag "recommended" with scary warnings about limited space
• Priority boarding framed as necessary (it usually isn't)

Urgency tactics:

• "Only 3 seats left at this price!"
• "89% of customers add cabin baggage"
• Timer counting down (false urgency)

The result: Passengers intending to spend €20 end up spending €60–80 because of psychological nudges.

The Hidden Fees Breakdown (What You'll Actually Pay)

Airport baggage check – Photo by Markus Spiske

Understanding exact fees for major budget airlines prevents surprises.

Ryanair (largest European budget airline):

Base fare includes:

• Seat on plane
• Small personal item (40 x 20 x 25 cm)

Additional costs:

• Priority + 2 cabin bags (10kg bag + personal item): €6–30 depending on route/season
• 10kg check-in bag: €12–30
• 20kg check-in bag: €25–60
• Seat selection: €4–20 (front rows, extra legroom cost more)
• Changing flight: €45–70 + fare difference
• Airport check-in: €55 (avoid by checking in online)

Strict enforcement:

• Ryanair measures bags frequently. Oversized personal items get charged at gate (€25–60).
• One personal item without priority = must fit perfectly under seat.

EasyJet:

Base fare includes:

• Seat on plane
• Large cabin bag (56 x 45 x 25 cm) – more generous than Ryanair

Additional costs:

• Checked bag (23kg): €8–48 (cheaper if booked with ticket)
• Extra legroom seats: €8–35
• Upfront seats: €4–15
• Flight changes: €25–49 + fare difference

More generous than Ryanair regarding cabin baggage. Better for travelers with carry-on only.

Wizz Air:

Base fare includes:

• Seat
• Small personal item (40 x 30 x 20 cm)

Additional costs:

• Wizz Priority (10kg cabin bag + personal item): €10–30
• Checked bag (20kg): €10–60
• Checked bag (32kg): €30–100
• Seat selection: €3–30
• Flight changes: €40 + fare difference

Similar to Ryanair in fee structure. Operates mainly Eastern Europe, Middle East.

Eurowings:

Base fare (Basic):

• Seat
• Small item (40 x 30 x 25 cm)

Smart fare adds:

• Cabin bag (55 x 40 x 23 cm)
• Seat reservation
• Standard checked bag (23kg): €15–70 when added later

Better than ultra-budget carriers but less generous than traditional airlines.

When Budget Airlines Save Money (And When They Don't)

Budget airlines make sense when:

1. Traveling carry-on only (small personal item):

If you genuinely need nothing beyond a small backpack (40 x 20 x 25 cm), budget airlines offer unbeatable prices. Read more how to pack carry-on for one week.

Example: Weekend trip to Prague with tiny backpack.

• Ryanair base fare: €19
• No additions needed: €19 total
• Traditional airline: €75–100

Savings: €56–81

2. Short flights (under 2 hours):

Discomfort of budget airline seating tolerable for 90-minute flights. Six-hour flights in 30-inch pitch seats with no recline = torture.

3. Flexible with airports:

Budget airlines use secondary airports (London Stansted instead of Heathrow, Paris Beauvais instead of CDG, Barcelona Girona instead of El Prat).

If secondary airports work for your plans, budget airlines save money.

If secondary airports require €15–30 transfers, savings evaporate.

4. Booking far in advance:

Budget airline fees (especially baggage) are cheaper when booked with ticket. Adding bags at airport costs 2–3x more.

5. Solo travelers or couples traveling light:

No need to check bags, minimal luggage, happy sitting anywhere = maximum budget airline value.

Budget airlines DON'T save money when:

1. Checking bags:

Example: London to Barcelona with checked bag.

• Ryanair: €19 base + €25 bag + €12 cabin bag = €56
• British Airways: €75 with cabin bag included, checked bag €35 = €110
• Difference: €54 saved, but BA includes more (free drink, seat recline, better airports)

Gap narrows significantly once bags are added.

2. Groups or families:

Family of 4 with luggage:

• Each person needs: Base fare + cabin bag + checked bag + maybe seat selection (keeping family together)
• Ryanair: 4 × (€25 base + €12 cabin + €25 checked + €10 seats) = €288
• Traditional airline: 4 × €90 with more included = €360

Savings: €72 for family, but budget airline requires secondary airport, no free snacks/drinks, cramped seating, stress of fee-avoidance.

Is €72 worth it? Depends on budget priorities.

3. Last-minute bookings:

Budget airlines adjust base fares upward closer to departure. Traditional airlines also increase but have more flexible fare classes.

Last-minute (3 days before) London → Rome:

• Ryanair: €120 base + fees = €150+
• British Airways: €140–180 with more included

Price gap disappears.

4. Long flights:

Budget airlines flying 4–6 hour routes (Ryanair UK to Canary Islands, Wizz Air to Middle East) become painful.

Uncomfortable seats, no entertainment, no free food/drinks, cramped space – traditional airlines worth premium on long sectors.

5. Business travelers needing flexibility:

Budget airlines charge €40–70 for changes. Traditional airlines (especially flexible fares) allow free changes.

Frequent changes needed? Traditional airlines cheaper overall.

Major European Budget Airlines Compared

Ryanair:

Strengths:

• Largest route network in Europe
• Often cheapest base fares
• Extensive secondary airport coverage

Weaknesses:

• Strictest baggage policies (frequently enforce size limits)
• Most aggressive fee structure
• Uncomfortable seats (non-reclining)
• Secondary airports often far from city centers
• Customer service reputation poor

Best for: Ultra-budget travelers with only personal item, short flights, flexible with secondary airports.

EasyJet:

Strengths:

• More generous cabin baggage (large carry-on included)
• Uses better airports (Gatwick, Orly, etc. – not always secondary)
• Slightly better customer service reputation
• More comfortable than Ryanair (marginally)

Weaknesses:

• Base fares slightly higher than Ryanair
• Still charges for checked bags, seat selection, etc.
• Limited long-haul routes

Best for: Carry-on travelers who want better airports than Ryanair, short-medium European routes.

Wizz Air:

Strengths:

• Strong Eastern Europe network
• Cheap base fares
• Expanding to Middle East, North Africa

Weaknesses:

• Similar fee structure to Ryanair
• Less punctual than Western carriers (statistically)
• Customer service complaints

Best for: Eastern Europe travel, ultra-budget priorities, routes not served by EasyJet/Ryanair.

Eurowings:

Strengths:

• Lufthansa subsidiary (slightly better service)
• Connects smaller German cities
• More "hybrid" model (between budget and traditional)

Weaknesses:

• Less extensive network than Ryanair/EasyJet
• Not always cheapest
• Fee structure similar to other budget carriers

Best for: Germany-focused travel, passengers wanting budget prices with slightly better service.

How to Fly Budget Airlines Without Getting Ripped Off

Traveling light with backpack – Photo by Alexandra Tran

Maximize budget airline value by avoiding unnecessary fees:

1. Master the personal item:

Dimensions matter:

• Ryanair: 40 x 20 x 25 cm
• Wizz Air: 40 x 30 x 20 cm
• EasyJet: More generous (small backpack/purse)

Invest in perfectly-sized personal item bag: Bags designed specifically for budget airline dimensions (available on AliExpress, Banggood, Joom).

Pack strategically:

• Wear bulkiest items (jacket, boots)
• Maximize personal item space
• Compression packing cubes reduce volume

See our complete guide: "How to Pack Carry-On Only for One Week"

2. Always check in online:

Checking in at airport costs €25–55.

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure (sometimes 30 days for airlines like EasyJet).

Download boarding pass to phone – don't rely on printing (some airlines charge €20 to print at airport).

3. Add bags when booking (if needed):

Baggage fees at booking: €12–30
Baggage fees at airport: €25–60

Book bags with ticket if you'll need them. Adding later costs double.

4. Skip unnecessary extras:

Priority boarding: Rarely necessary. General boarding works fine for short flights. Save €8–15.

Seat selection: Budget airlines assign random seats if you don't pay. For short flights, random assignment acceptable. Only pay if:

• Need to sit with family/kids
• Want specific seat (window, aisle, extra legroom)

Insurance: Budget airlines push insurance during booking (pre-selected). Deselect it.

Use comprehensive travel insurance (AURAS Travel Insurance, Travel Insurer) covering entire trip instead of overpriced single-flight insurance.

5. Bring food and empty water bottle:

Airport food: Expensive
Budget airline food: More expensive

Bring snacks from home. Fill empty water bottle after security.

Budget airlines allow bringing own food – no restrictions on sandwiches, fruit, etc.

6. Compare total cost (not just base fare):

Before booking, calculate:

• Base fare
• Cabin bag (if needed)
• Checked bag (if needed)
• Seat selection (if wanted)
• Any other additions

Compare total against traditional airlines searching via Aviasales, Lennuabi, or eSky.

Sometimes traditional carriers are cheaper when everything is included.

7. Consider airport transfer costs:

Secondary airports save airlines money but cost YOU money.

Examples:

• London Stansted: 45 minutes from central London, €15–20 train/bus
• Paris Beauvais: 85 km from Paris, €17 bus, 1.5 hours
• Barcelona Girona: 90 km from Barcelona, €16 bus, 1.5 hours

Traditional airlines use main airports:

• London Heathrow: 25 minutes Tube, €6
• Paris CDG: 30 minutes RER, €10
• Barcelona El Prat: 25 minutes train, €5

Add transfer costs to budget airline price before comparing.

8. Book directly (not through OTAs):

Online travel agencies (Expedia, Booking.com flights) add fees and make changes harder.

Book directly via airline websites or use Aviasales, Lennuabi, eSky which redirect to airline sites.

Direct booking = easier customer service if issues arise.

Budget vs Traditional Airlines: Real Cost Comparison

Scenario 1: Solo traveler, carry-on only, short flight

Route: Berlin → Barcelona (1,400 km)

Ryanair:

• Base fare: €22
• Personal item only: €0
• Total: €22

Lufthansa:

• Economy basic: €85 (includes cabin bag)
• Total: €85

Winner: Ryanair (saves €63)

Scenario 2: Solo traveler with checked bag

Route: London → Rome (1,435 km)

Ryanair:

• Base fare: €29
• Cabin bag: €12
• Checked bag: €25
• Total: €66

British Airways:

• Economy basic: €75 (cabin bag included)
• Checked bag: €35
• Total: €110

Winner: Ryanair (saves €44, but BA offers better airports, service)

Scenario 3: Couple with luggage

Route: Amsterdam → Athens (2,150 km)

EasyJet (2 passengers):

• Base fare: €45 × 2 = €90
• Checked bags: €30 × 2 = €60
• Total: €150

KLM (2 passengers):

• Economy: €120 × 2 = €240 (cabin bag + checked bag included)
• Total: €240

Winner: EasyJet (saves €90)

Scenario 4: Family of 4 with luggage

Route: Paris → Malaga (1,400 km)

Ryanair (4 passengers: 2 adults, 2 kids):

• Base fare: €35 × 4 = €140
• Cabin bags: €12 × 4 = €48
• Checked bags: €25 × 3 = €75 (1 shared bag)
• Seat selection (keep family together): €10 × 4 = €40
• Total: €303

Vueling (4 passengers):

• Economy: €95 × 4 = €380 (cabin bag included, 1 checked bag per person)
• Total: €380

Winner: Ryanair (saves €77, but requires secondary airports, no perks)

Verdict: Budget airlines save money even with bags/fees, but gap narrows with luggage and passengers.

Verdict: Are Budget Airlines Worth It?

Airport comparison

Yes, budget airlines are worth it – IF:

✅ Traveling carry-on only (or with very light luggage)
✅ Short flights (under 3 hours)
✅ Flexible with secondary airports
✅ Solo or couple without checked bags
✅ Book in advance (securing cheap base fares + cheap bag fees)
✅ Comfortable with no-frills experience

Budget airlines are NOT worth it when:

❌ Checking multiple bags (fees add up, traditional airlines become competitive)
❌ Long flights (4+ hours in uncomfortable seats is miserable)
❌ Need flexibility (change fees €40–70 vs free changes on flexible traditional fares)
❌ Last-minute booking (base fares increase, eliminating savings)
❌ Secondary airports create hassle (long/expensive transfers negate savings)
❌ Value comfort (recline, legroom, service matter more than €30 savings)

The hidden truth:

Budget airlines aren't necessarily cheaper – they're just priced differently.

Traditional airlines bundle costs (bags, seats, snacks into ticket price).
Budget airlines unbundle everything, letting passengers pay only for what they use.

For minimalist travelers, this is brilliant.
For normal travelers with bags, total costs often similar.

Smart strategy:

Compare TOTAL costs (base fare + all fees) vs traditional airlines using Aviasales, Lennuabi, eSky.

Don't assume budget airlines are cheaper. Sometimes they are. Sometimes they're not.

Run the numbers before booking.

Recommended approach:

Short European flights (under 3 hours), carry-on only:
Use budget airlines. Savings are real.

Flights with checked bags:
Compare total cost. Budget airlines might still win, but gap is small.

Long flights (4+ hours):
Traditional airlines worth premium for comfort.

Business travel:
Traditional airlines (flexibility, lounges, status benefits justify higher cost).

Family travel:
Calculate both options. Budget airlines often still cheaper for families, but require more planning and tolerate less comfort.

Booking recommendations:

Search multiple platforms:

• Aviasales – compares budget + traditional carriers
• Eurowings – Lufthansa's budget subsidiary
• Lennuabi – Estonia-based search engine
• eSky – Polish platform, good Eastern Europe coverage

Book flights 6–12 weeks ahead for best base fares.

Add luggage immediately if needed (cheaper than adding later).

Get travel insurance separately: AURAS Travel Insurance or Travel Insurer (better coverage, cheaper than airline insurance).

Check airport transfer costs before finalizing (secondary airports eat into savings).

Final thought:

Budget airlines democratized European travel. Routes that didn't exist before now connect cities affordably. For travelers willing to sacrifice comfort, pack light, and navigate fee structures, budget airlines offer legitimate value.

But they're not magic. The €9.99 fare is marketing. Real costs are higher. Sometimes significantly higher.

Know what you're buying. Calculate total costs. Compare honestly against traditional airlines.

Budget airlines can be worth it – but only if you play by their rules and avoid their traps.

Fly smart. Pack light. Skip unnecessary fees. And you'll get genuinely cheap European travel.

Ignore their rules? You'll pay more than traditional carriers while sitting in worse seats and landing at inconvenient airports.

The choice is yours.