Europe for Less: My Honest Take on Budget Flights

Europe for Less: My Honest Take on Budget Flights

Table of Contents

Do you ever find yourself in disbelief when someone claims they regularly snag cheap flights while traveling in Europe? I know I did. It seemed like an urban legend, too good to be true. Yet, here I am, living proof that it's not just a myth. In fact, I've managed to secure these bargain fares even at the eleventh hour.

happy girl on plane

Wondering what it's like to fly for such a steal? Buckle up and join me on this journey as I peel back the curtain on the reality of flying budget flights in Europe.

The Price Tag Deception

The prices that discount airlines offer will lure you in with their tiny-digit figures. However, in the end, these initial prices are merely a mirage. Rarely will you get the ticket for the first price you see advertised, unless you plan on taking nothing but the tiniest bag with you and don't care where you sit. 

Here are some of the things they'll tack onto that initial ticket price: 

Carryon Bags  You're only allowed a personal item that has to fit a specific size dimension and weight allowance. It also must go under the seat in front of you. Anything else will be charged a fee. 

Seat Selection  If you want to select ANY seat on a discount airline, you're going to have to pay for it. 

Checked Bags Yes, you guessed right. If they charge you to take on a carryon bag, they most certainly will charge you for a checked bag. And keep in mind that these prices significantly increase at the airport, so you absolutely must book your checked bags in advance. 

Boarding Passes  If you need to print your boarding pass at the airport, don't worry, they're going to charge you for it! If you don't have access to a printer (like you probably will not if you're on the road when you buy your ticket), you can get your boarding pass printed at hotels, hostels, libraries, internet cafes, coworking spaces, post offices, train stations, tourist information centers. I have personally only tried the first two options in this list, but all of the other ones would be intriguing to try as well. 

Food or Water on Board  You will 100 percent be charged for any in-flight refreshments, and what they have certainly aren't great options. Make sure to bring things with you, especially water, if you don't want to get gauged in the air! 

Restrooms  Haha. Just kidding. They don't charge for restroom use (yet), but I thought it would be funny to include in this list because it feels like they nickel and dime you for literally everything else. 

Carry-On Challenges—Overcome! 

I can absolutely tell you that even I—as a dedicated minimalist packer—still have a challenge with the stiff rules of discount airlines. I hardly take anything with me, but I still take too much for these airlines. 

I always pay for my carryon bag, just because $20 (roughly) is worth it not to be hassled by the gate agents. I've heard stories (and seen them in person, too) of people's bags being measured, weighed, and inspected before they are allowed through the gate. One time I watched a man with his young son in Madrid as the gate agents for Ryan Air made him dismantle his bag and reconfigure it just so it would squeeze into their sizing device. It was one of the most ridiculous processes I've ever seen. 

ryan air gate agent 

Packing Hacks for Budget Flights

To avoid any issues, in addition to paying for my bag, I also take other creative measures. One time, I took my sling backpack and filled it with my electronics and put it on under my coat and then put my other backpack on top. That way, I knew there wouldn't be any problem with weight. I've also stuffed all my coat pockets with things on another flight and on another I even wore all of my clothes to make room in my bag for Christmas gifts (that was uncomfortable).

My most creative, and best hack, though was when I took an empty U-shaped travel pillow cover, stuffed it with ALL of my clothes from my backpack, and then zipped it closed! It looked just like a pillow and it lightened my backpack significantly. It was both hilarious and awesome. It was honestly the best travel pillow I've ever used! It got a lot of laughs from of my seatmates too when I secretly confessed my travel trick! 

u-pillow travel

What is the Flight Experience Really Like? 

I've taken a few discount airline flights in the United States, but most of my really cheap deals have been in Europe. 

The experience is basically the same on both continents. This is the lowdown. 

1. Get to the airport early. They are not joking around when they say they close the counters by a certain time. If you miss that window to check in, you've missed the flight even though it hasn't left yet. This will require you to get to the airport early, very early. In Europe, they often recommend 3 hours in advance. Often the discount airlines leave at 6 am, which means you'll need to be to the airport by 3am. It might be rough, but just plan on it being a big part of the experience.  

sleeping in airport

In this photo, I am taking a quick snooze before a 6am flight from Barcelona to Rome. So, even though I had to get to the airport early, I was still able to get a little more sleep because they place was almost empty and was very quiet. One of the advantages you'll find at arriving to the airport so early is that it is indeed quiet, so the long lines you'll find later in the day really aren't there. And, because you get to your next destination so early, you have a full day to explore! 

2. Start lining up early, too. I promise you, you're going to want to be one of the first people on board. Even if you paid for your bag to go above, you just might have to check it if there's no room left in the overhead compartments.  

3. Plan on standing, a lot! You are going to stand in a line waiting to go past the gate agents. Then, you're going to have to stand in another line (or rather this time a crowd all mashed together) by the next set of doors waiting to move on towards the plane. I've stood for at least an hour through these processes. I really feel like the discount airlines want to make your experience as miserable as possible just because they can. They have heard the old adage "you get what you pay for" and they want to make sure that saying becomes reality! 

4. Know that you'll be herded like cattle As you move through the various wait points, you're definitely going to feel like you're in a cattle drive, as one of the bovines. It's just another one of the dehumanizing experiences the discount airlines like to create for their passengers. It's lovely. 

5. Expect a no frills plane. The seats are going to be rock hard plastic. Just plan on that. They will not recline. Plan on that, too. There will be little-to-no leg room, but you'll find that on non-budget flights, too. The planes also feel a little clunky, although if you're flying in a region with safety checks, the plane itself should be flight worthy, so don't worthy too much about that. 

Yes, it's true that the seats are basic, but once you're in the air and soaring toward your European adventure, the minor inconveniences fade away. The picture below shows my ultra cheap flight from Krakow to Israel. I was in the last row on the plane and I didn't remember to bring along water or snacks, but honestly none of that mattered. I was absolutely thrilled to be flying from Europe to Israel for a couple dozen dollars and that's all that mattered! 

wizz air flight

6.You'll arrive at your destination, just like with any plane. This is the biggest point to make about flying discount. If your point is just to get from point A to point B and you don't care how that happens, then budget airlines are definitely the choice for you. They reach that goal just like the more expensive airlines do but for a literal fraction of the price.

What's the cheapest I've ever flown? I bought a flight once for $18 from Gdansk to Edinburgh! I've seen them a lot lower than that and aim to buy some of those super cheap ones sometime too!  

airplane tail wings

7. Don't plan on much help if your flight is delayed or cancelled. On non-budget airlines, they will book you on the next available flight. Discount airlines do not offer much in terms of help and honestly, you're going to feel a little stranded if your flight gets canceled. That happened to me once in Edinburgh and it was an extremely stressful experience. It didn't stop me from flying budget airlines again, I just did so more wisely next time.

stress free tea

Worth the Hassle?

If someone would have asked me this question in December 2023, I would have probably answered no to this question. You see, on that trip to Europe, I took 4 discount airline flights in about 6 days. By the time my last one rolled around, I was done with that experience. It was exhausting and I longed for the days of flying a real airline like my love, Delta. 

sunset airplane window

However, that was two months ago, and the irritation of those experiences has faded. So, my answer now would probably be back to a firm YES!

My overall advice: Go ahead and fly discount. The price is totally worth it and everything else you have to deal with really isn't that big of a deal. In fact, it makes travel that much more of an adventure! Just be realistic about what the experience is going to be like and you won't be surprised or disappointed! 

easy jet in flight

What About You? 

Have you flown budget airlines in Europe? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below! Or, if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to ask!

Back to blog

Leave a comment

About Solo Travel Adventures

Hey Everyone!

I'm Amie, a dedicated writer and photographer on a mission to explore every corner of our beautiful blue planet. On this website, I aim to ignite your wanderlust and equip you with invaluable tips and insights for your adventures.

Got a request for a specific travel destination? Feel free to reach out and let me know!

Contact Us