If you want to travel around Europe, you probably have to take a couple of flights to reach different countries. You are likely to come across these 3companies: Easyjet, Ryanair, and Wizzair. Once you see their price it can look like a bargain (and sometimes it is), but you get into extra fees on every single step of the booking. In this post, I will talk about hacks on how to avoid paying extra for your flights.
Compare the prices on Skyscanner
First of all, you have to make sure that you find the cheapest deal. The best option is to go to Skyscanner to compare the prices. Once you have all the deals, you will have to know what you need and what the companies offer you. If you are traveling for a short trip and you have one small bag, it doesn’t matter. If you have a suitcase or a backpack to travel with, the prices can differ. As you see on the photo, there is a 5€ difference between Ryanair and Vueling, but if you have a hand luggage Vueling turns out to be the cheaper option. Always check baggage allowance on goggle or the airline’s webpage, while comparing prices. Surprisingly Ryanair is not always the cheapest option you can get.
Travel with hand luggage only
Checked-in luggage is expensive and you don’t need it unless you are traveling with kids. Checking in your suitcase can cost you between 20 – 40€ per flight. From the same amount of money: you can have a romantic dinner in Rome for 2people, an extra night in Greece, an entrance ticket to a famous thermal bath in Budapest, you name it. Just prepare everything you want to take with you, and put the half of the stuff back to your wardrobe. You wouldn’t use all those stuffs anyway. Washing machines are available everywhere for like 3€, so you can reuse all the clothes.
Don’t buy your seats
The low-cost airlines will not allow you to choose a seat for free. In fact, they will put you and your partner to different parts of the plane. Once you are on the plane and you heard “boarding is complete” everyone will stand up and try to switch seats instead of buying them in advance. The emptier the plane is the more chance you have to sit next to your mate. If the plane is full, you will need to have luck to switch seats with someone.
If you are taller than 180cm, you will have to buy extra legroom, because the normal seats are very tight.
Have at least 1 duty-free bag
Since the baggage allowance of the airlines is very strict, you will need this hack for not paying more at the gate. If you have an extra purse, smaller bag or a belt bag you can just smash it in a duty-free bag and they will think you bought it at the airport. It is also useful if you got some snacks or a bottle of water and you have no place to put it. With this hack, you can forget additional fees at the gate forever.
Wear a lot of clothes
You don’t have to go crazy about this one. Don’t try to wear 3 pairs of trousers, 4thirts and 2 skirts at the same time. Hand luggage has a weight limit of 10kg, if you have a kg extra, just take out a sweater and a T-shirt and have it on you. You should always wear a jacket while boarding. Jackets usually weight a lot so don’t try to pack it anywhere. If it has pockets, you can hide extra stuff there, just in case you need it.
Forget suitcases
Suitcases have its own weight and the wheels are included in the size. To be able to take more stuff with you, consider a handbag or a backpack. Even if their size is slightly bigger than the allowance, the airport stuff won’t realize it. In general, you have more freedom to pack with these 2 types of hand luggage.
Pack snacks and water
Low-cost airlines won’t give you anything for free, not even water. Some people don’t know that you can pass security with food. You can grab some cookies, fruits or a sandwich in the city and take it with you.
You are not allowed to take liquid more than 100m, but you can take an empty water bottle and refill it once you passed security. This hack helps you to keep costs low either at the airport or on the plane.
Hope with these hacks you can save between 30-50 € per flight, and you spend the money on a great experience. If you want to find some unspoiled paradise, check out Fuerteventura and the Greek islands.
Stay tuned and be ready to Explore!
Anita.-
