Ryanair

EVER travelled with Ryanair and had to upgrade your fare to include more luggage? Well, you could be spending more than you need to.

Even though Ryanair is a budget airline, when it comes to booking a flight, if you want anything more than a small bag under the seat in front of you, you have to upgrade.

The same goes for if you are travelling as a group and want to sit together.

But, new findings by Which? have revealed you might actually be spending more money when you upgrade your fare, instead of just booking the most basic ticket and adding the extras on afterwards.

When you are booking a flight with Ryanair, a banner often appears stating that “Regular is ideal for your trip”.

This Regular fare is different to Basic, as it includes priority boarding, carry-on luggage and free standard seat selection.

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However, on around 30 checks over the last two years, Which? found that if they had followed Ryanair‘s advice – choosing its more expensive Regular fare rather than Basic – it would have actually only been cheaper in one instance.

Every other time it would have been cheaper to book Basic and add the extras individually.

Which? also looked at 15 flights to a range of locations for travel this month and again found that only once was the Regular ticket cheaper.

Often the Regular fare was more expensive by just a pound, but sometimes it was much more.

For example, for flights for a family of four from London Stansted to Alicante, it would have cost £61 more to choose Regular rather than Basic, for exactly the same priority boarding, cabin bags and seat selection.

Flights from Manchester to Marrakesh with a Regular fare were £45.50 more.

Instead, Which? found that if you choose Basic and just add bags and seat selection yourself later in the booking process, it works out cheaper.

If a family of four choose to book the airline’s Basic fare with four cabin bags – instead of eight with the Regular fare – then they could save £163.

It is worth noting though that the Basic fare (not with the add-ons) does have strict bag rules where your bag must fit under the seat in front and cannot measure more than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.

If your bag is bigger than this and they spot it at the gate you could face an additional fee between £46 and £60.

If you do add cabin luggage, the same strict rules apply.

Cabin luggage must measure a maximum of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm – but if it is bigger than this, you could be charged an extra £70 to £75.

People have even been caught out in the past by a zip or handle, so it is worth being within the measurements.

And this isn’t the only way to save when booking with Ryanair…

Which? claims that passengers should also ignore Ryanair’s Plus fare, where passengers get a 20kg suitcase and seat selection.

On a summer London Stansted to Malaga route, Which? found it was actually £35 cheaper for a family of four to choose Basic and add the extras later.

Last year, the airline denied that it’s cheaper to buy the Basic fare with the extras, than use its Regular or Plus fares.

Which? asked again in February 2026 and the airline said it had nothing further to add.

And as for the Family Plus option – it isn’t needed for most families.

When Which? checked the price for two adults, a teenager and a four-year-old to travel to Alicante, they found that it would be £260 extra for the Family Plus option.

Instead, if they booked a Basic ticket and added seat selection, three 10kg cabin bags and a larger, 20kg suitcase to check-in, they would’ve paid £45
less.

Ryanair’s Flexi Plus offering has a similar story.

This fare allows you to change your flight without a fee as well as the option to choose your seat, more legroom, fast track through security and two cabin bags.

Which? found that this would cost an extra £354 for a couple flying from London to Alicante; the same extras (but without the flight change allowance) bought separately would cost £186 – a saving of £168.

Other advice Which? has for passengers travelling with Ryanair is to not add the airline’s travel insurance as it is unlikely to be tailored to your needs and could be more expensive.

Similarly, passengers should not let Ryanair do their currency conversion.

When you book a flight with Ryanair, the fare will be shown in the currency of the country you are departing from.

For example, if you were heading back from Spain it would be in euros.

The airline then converts the fare into pounds, but it is often charged at a terrible exchange rate, meaning you could be paying more for your flight.

You can opt out of Ryanair’s automatic conversion rate, but it isn’t the easiest process.

After you enter your card number, a figure will appear that shows the conversion rate.

There is then a small arrow downwards, with the question: “Want to
learn more about our guaranteed exchange rate?”

If you click on the arrow, another message appears: “If you do not wish to accept the exchange rate, you can pay in the currency of the flight and have the currency converted by your Payment Service Provider.

“However, bear in mind that the rate you receive from your bank is not guaranteed and is subject to daily fluctuations, which could result in a significantly different cost for you.”

There is then also a pre-ticked box, with the message: “We recommend you do not untick the checkbox so that you receive our guaranteed exchange rate.”

Which? recommends that travellers ignore this and untick the box, leaving the exchange rate to be calculated by your bank.

Since 2017, Which? has found that the bank rate has always been better.

However, Ryanair told Which? that this claim is false and said that its currency conversion is competitive.

Another piece of advice is to consider checking in a 20kg bag, instead of taking two 10kg bags.

If you are not bothered by priority boarding, it can work out cheaper to check in one 20kg suitcase than having two 10kg hand luggage bags and priority boarding.

Which? found that this method was £3.50 cheaper on a route to Alicante in 2026.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: “Ryanair’s low cost fares may look tempting, but make sure you have a calculator with you when you book.

“By the time you’ve paid extra for basics like cabin bags or simply sitting next to your own family, the headline price quickly unravels – and other airlines can work out cheaper.

“It pays to do your own research.”

In other aviation news, Skyscanner makes huge change to its website – offering package holidays for the first time ever.

Plus, cheap long-haul destinations to visit in 2026 with £119 flights and £8 hotels.

Ryanair has branded the cheaper travel advice ‘fake news’

Ryanair passengers are being encouraged to follow strategies to reduce their travel costs, though the airline has dismissed these suggestions as “fake news”. Consumer watchdog Which? claims its research indicates that travellers may be paying more than necessary.

According to Which?, families could potentially save upwards of £100 on their next Ryanair journey by simply disregarding the airline’s “recommended” fare option. When booking a summer getaway from London to Alicante for a family of four, Ryanair promoted its “Regular” fare as the “ideal” selection.

But opting for this would have cost £59 more than choosing the “Basic” fare and manually adding identical seats and baggage later during the booking process, Which? claims. The article goes on to say: “If our family decided that we could get by with four cabin bags instead of the eight included in Ryanair’s ‘Regular’ fare, then we could reduce the fare by £163 from Ryanair’s recommendation.”

It added: “The Regular fare comes with priority boarding, carry-on luggage and free standard seat selection included, but on around 30 checks over the past two years we’ve only once found it cheaper. We looked at 15 flights to a range of locations in February 2026 and only once was the Regular ticket cheaper, even if we wanted all those extras.”

Ryanair is not impressed. A spokesperson for the airline told Sky News: “This is more fake news from Which? Thankfully no one reads, or takes any notice of Which’s fake recycled news articles or your spurious ‘advice’, as our traffic growth from 200 million to 208 million passengers in 2025 proves.”

Spain is filled with beautiful destinations, but are often packed with tourists — but now Brits can fly to one Spanish city without fighting through the hustle and bustle

A breathtaking Spanish city could be yours to discover — for just the cost of a £13 flight.

Spain has a slew of destinations that are filled with amazing history, phenomenal beaches and great natural trails. However, this often comes at the cost of being inundated by tourists trying to capture their own private moment.

But now, a new destination has opened up for Brits to explore the glorious Spanish sun, without the need for wrangling through swathes of holidaymakers trying to take the perfect picture. The hidden gem also sits right on the Mediterranean coast, making it an unspoilt beauty, but still close to other holiday hotspots.

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Castellón de la Plana is a small city sitting just inland of Spain’s Costa de Valencia. With a population of just over 174,000 people, the city is often dwarfed by its popular neighbours, including Benidorm, Valencia, and even Barcelona further along the coast.

However, the city is brimming with culture and history, being the fourth-largest city in the region. The town has been mentioned in history books as far back as 1233, when it was taken over by a Spanish king, and has since built up an impressive history, filled with castles and stunning panoramic views, all with 30 °C temperatures at the height of summer.

Being located close to the sea, the city boasts access to the stunning Islas Columbretes Natural Park, where tourists can take in the amazing natural landscapes. With huge sea stacks and rock formations coming out of the sea, the panoramic views are like no other in Spain itself.

Back on dry land, travellers looking to get stuck into the hustle and bustle of daily life can get lost strolling through the Mercado Central, filled with locals selling their best produce. Seafood is in plenty of supply, with customers often queuing around the markets to get fresh quality goods, including food and drinks.

But if the market chaos is too much, the city also boasts a number of quiet, peaceful plazas that show how locals live their lives. Places such as the Plaça Major offer spots for people-watching, whilst taking in the breathtaking architecture of the local cathedral and other prominent buildings.

Beaches are also dotted around the city, with the songs such as the Playa del Pinar and Playa El Gurugu being the perfect spots to catch the sunrise over the horizon of the Med.

Food and drink are also staples of the city’s thriving life, as there are a host of bars and restaurants offering traditional meals for a reasonable price. Modern history is also covered, with the Refugio Antiaereo air-raid shelter now serving as a museum, adding an extra quirk to the Spanish diamond.

British tourists are now able to catch a flight to Castellón de la Plana, after Ryanair officially connected London Stanstead Airport to Castellón Airport, based some 30 kilometres away from the city itself. The cost of the flights themselves are also incredibly cheap, with the cheapest one-way flight to the Spanish getaway coming in at £13 this month.

The airport can also serve as a great gateway to the rest of the Valencia region, with holiday hotspots such as Valencia City, Alicante, and Benidorm easily accessible. The price of flights also do not fluctuate that much, meaning a cheap flight to Spain is always guaranteed.

The European Parliament has voted to allow passengers to carry a small case alongside free underseat bags

Travellers with Ryanair and easyJet may soon be allowed to bring two cabin bags on flights without facing additional charges. Currently, these carriers permit passengers on basic fares to take just one small personal item aboard, with any extra luggage coming at an additional fee.

Ryanair has been compelled to increase the size of personal bags it allows, following changes to EU regulations. Under the new rules, passengers flying with the budget airline will be able to carry hand luggage measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm, marking a 20 per cent increase from the previous 40 x 20 x 25 cm restrictions.

easyJet’s personal bag dimensions already complied with these requirements, but another EU rule modification could enable travellers to bring a cabin bag measuring up to 100cm, along with a personal bag, without extra costs. The European parliament voted last month to grant all passengers the right to carry a small case, in addition to the free underseat bags currently allowed.

Parliament wants passengers to have the right to bring onto the aircraft, at no extra cost, one personal item (such as a handbag, rucksack or laptop) and one small piece of hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 100 cm (combined length, width and height) and seven kilograms. The amendments, which require approval from the European Council before taking effect, would cover all travellers flying to or from an EU airport with an EU-based carrier, directly impacting the majority of short-haul journeys from the UK.

European Parliament members (MEPs) are also keen to guarantee that children under 12 are positioned next to an accompanying adult at no additional charge. At present, carriers have no legal obligation to place children beside their parents, although the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recommends they should do so.

The CAA explains: “Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults.

“This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.”

Avoid paying a massive fee at the airport gates by checking your cabin bag size before you fly. With half term on the way, here’s the latest sizing regulations for some of the most popular airlines

One thing that often catches passengers out when flying on budget airlines is cabin baggage allowances. On busy flights, it’s common to see the dreaded bag sizer coming out, and being over just a centimetre can mean you end up paying a massive fee to check your bag at the gate.

To make things even more confusing, cabin bag size allowances change all the time, so even if you’re a frequent flyer, you can get caught out. It’s always best to check the size of the cabin bag that’s included with your ticket just before you go, so you can avoid hassle at the gates.

It’s also much cheaper to pay for extra bags when you book your flight, not once you’re at the airport, so always make sure you’ve booked the amount you need in advance.

Cabin bag allowances by airline

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Ryanair

Ryanair is notorious for strictly enforcing cabin baggage sizes, and if you’re taking a bag on board, you should make sure you get the tape measure out and check the dimensions before you head to the airport.

However, there’s good news for Ryanair passengers: the free underseat bag included in its basic fare can now be slightly larger. Previously, this small bag had to fit in a sizer with the dimensions of 40 x 25 x 20 cm, but since summer 2025 it can now be up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. These free bags need to fit under the seat in front of you, and usually people bring a handbag, laptop bag, or small rucksack.

Technically, there’s no weight limit on these small bags, as long as they fit under the seat, but passengers will need to be able to carry and handle them, and an excessively heavy bag could be noticed by flight attendants.

Passengers can also pay to bring a second cabin bag of up to 55 x 40 x 20cm onboard with them, and this bag has a weight limit of 10KG. Passengers will need to lift this bag into the overhead locker above them, so bear this in mind when packing. If you prefer to check a bag, you can add a 10KG, 20KG, or 23KG bag to the hold. Prices vary depending on route and availability.

EasyJet

Budget airline easyJet is also known for strictly monitoring bag sizes, and you’ll see lots of orange sizers around the airport so you can check whether your luggage will fit. However, it’s best to measure bags at home when they’re packed so you can adjust accordingly.

Everyone who flies with easyJet gets one small underseat cabin bag included in the price. This can be up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm in size, and easyJet states it can’t exceed 15KG in weight.

Customers also have the option to book a second cabin bag of 56 x 45 x 25 cm maximum, including handles and wheels. As a bonus, if you book a second bag, you get speedy boarding included. When booking your flight, you also have the option to pay for up to three checked bags of 15KG, 23KG, or a whopping 32KG. Some airports offer a twilight bag drop for passengers on early flights, meaning you can check your luggage the night before heading off and head straight for security in the morning.

Jet2

Whether you’ve booked a package holiday with Jet2, or just a flight, cabin baggage allowances are the same. You get a small bag of 40 x 30 x 20cm, which must fit under the seat, and the price also includes a 10KG piece of hand luggage of up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Again, you must ensure measurements include handles, wheels, and other fixtures.

Package holidays include 22KG of checked baggage, but if you’ve only booked a flight, you can still add a checked bag for a fee. Passengers can buy up to three bags of 22KG in weight, perfect for those who don’t like to travel light.

Families travelling with young kids can also bring a collapsible pushchair, car seat, and/or travel cot free of charge.

British Airways

British Airways (BA)’s economy basic fare includes a handbag and a cabin bag. The former can be up to 40 x 30 x 15cm in size and needs to easily fit under the seat in front, while cabin bags can be up to 56 x 45 x 25cm in size. However, BA can only guarantee that the smaller item will be allowed on board. If there’s not enough space in the overhead locker, your cabin bag may need to go in the hold.

BA also offers a range of options for checked bags, depending on the flight route you take and which classes are available. Economy with checked bag includes a 23KG bag in the hold, and unlike most airlines, BA put a size restriction on these checked bags of 90 x 75 x 43cm. Those lucky enough to fly business or first class get much bigger allowances.

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TUI

If you’ve booked a flight only on TUI Airways, you’ll get a piece of hand luggage of up to 10KG in weight for free, and this can measure up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm. You can also bring a small personal item like a handbag or laptop bag of up to 40 x 30 x 20cm that’s placed under the seat in front of you. TUI emphasises that passengers must be able to lift their hand luggage into overhead storage compartments themselves.

Customers can also add a checked bag when booking their flight, with prices depending on the route and availability. However, if you book a package holiday through TUI and are flying with its airline, then 20KG of checked luggage is included. Some holiday types, such as TUI BLUE or cruises, have a 25KG allowance, so it’s worth checking your booking confirmation before you go.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

A CANNY businesswoman faced with a nightmare train journey from London to Newcastle costing more than £100 flew instead for £30 cheaper — via Italy.

Victoria Williams, 42, had visited friends in the capital.

But what should have been a three-hour rail trip home on Sunday was hit by engineering works.

The £110 trek from Kings Cross to Newcastle involved two changes, including a bus replacement, and would take five hours.

Victoria spotted a Ryanair flight from Stansted to Milan, and then Milan to Newcastle, for a total of just £74 — despite travelling 1,400 miles instead of 240.

She took off at 2pm and arrived at Milan Bergamo two-and-a-half hours later.

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After some duty free shopping, she caught her return flight and landed at Newcastle at 8.10pm.

Mum-of-one Victoria said: “It’s ridiculous and shows the country is creaking at the seams.

“The Government needs to sort this out as London to Newcastle is a major route, connecting businesses and communities.

“Sunday is a major day of travel with people returning home to work after a weekend away.

“The situation is terrible for the economy and for people simply going about their everyday lives.”

“I was shocked when I saw how expensive the train was.

“My heart sank at the prospect of paying that much with the hassle of two changes with a replacement bus.

“I went on Skyscanner but direct flights to Newcastle were hundreds of pounds.

“I kept looking and finally found one via Milan for just £74.

“I felt guilty about the environmental aspect and embarrassed to tell my friends how I was getting home, but it seemed like the best option.

“I had a great time. I got gifts for my little boy in Italy, duty free cigarettes for my partner’s mum and had some lovely food.

“I waited for the connection in a warm, comfortable airport, with multiple shops and restaurants, rather than shivering on a freezing platform.

“I was able to sit quietly while charging my devices, and all in all had a very comfortable, relaxing time.

“I don’t regret it at all but it’s absolutely mad that flying from London to Newcastle via Milan can be cheaper and easier than getting the train.”

Amsterdam has long been the go-to destination for a final night of freedom, but research has shown that a new city has emerged as the top spot, while another destination is fast catching up

Amsterdam may have been dethroned as the king of stag do destinations. According to research analysing search trends, the number of people searching for information on stag dos in the Netherlands’ capital has plummeted by 77% since 2023.

Party organisers, Sofia Stag Do, put together a list of Europe’s top ten stag destinations based on the number of searches over the past two years. Its rankings saw Amsterdam plummet from being the top destination in 2023, to number six in 2026.

Unsurprisingly, Prague took the top spot. While interest was down slightly in this Eastern European city, its combination of lively nightlife, cheap pints, and a beautiful Old Town kept it at number one. However, at number two is a city that has seen a steady increase in interest, and may not be the first location that springs to mind when planning a stag party.

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Riga in Latvia is becoming increasingly popular among stag parties, and there’s likely a combination of factors that have pushed it up the charts. Firstly, it is easy to get to from the UK. Flights take as little as two and a half hours, and Ryanair flies to Riga International Airport from East Midlands, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, London-Stansted, and Manchester, with fares from as little as £14.99 one way.

Riga’s compact size is also ideal for groups who want to enjoy a bar crawl or go for a night out without needing to get expensive taxis home. The liveliest nightlife can be found in Old Riga, an area full of historic buildings, town squares, and cobbled streets. You’ll find a huge number of bars tucked away, from stylish spots to fun themed places with drink deals.

Some spots to look out for include Secret Event, an underground bar set in a former monastery, and the Tiki Bar Riga, where you can enjoy colourful cocktails. If you’re doing fancy dress, head to Clayton McNamaras Drinking Emporium, a superhero-themed bar full of retro memorabilia that offers a range of shots named after comic characters.

Many bars open until the small hours, but for those who don’t want to head to bed just yet, weekends see a range of nightclubs opening their doors until dawn. Poseidon’s Club comes highly recommended for fans of EDM and stays open until 5am on Friday and Saturday nights. Teritorija has two rooms offering house and techno, while Bacio Riga offers a range of DJ sets and drink deals.

One thing potential stag parties always want to know is the cost of a pint. Riga can’t quite compare with the cheap beer prices of Prague, where you can often find pints for under £2. Pints generally cost £3-4 in the old town, but you can often find drink deals which bring down the prices.

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Riga also tends to offer cheaper accommodation than Prague, and it’s walkable, so you may find that overall a stag do in Latvia could work out cheaper than going to Prague.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Ryanair has told passengers to stop packing a popular toiletry in their hand luggage. If you make the mistake, it could cause a few problems at airport security

There’s nothing like jetting off to a hot location during the winter months, but you need to ensure you pack your belongings in the right cases. In fact, airline Ryanair has told passengers they need to avoid placing a popular toiletry in their hand luggage if they want to travel through airport security with ease.

It’s worth paying attention to as, if you fail to follow the expert advice, it could land you in a spot of bother. In fact, it was recently brought up on Reddit after a traveller was left a little confused about the rules as to what he could carry in his hand luggage.

This isn’t the first time vital air travel information has been brought to people’s attention either. Back in December, a travel expert also shared the airport rule that all passengers should follow.

On Reddit, a social media user posted: “I recently started using safety razors and I was wondering if I could carry mine with one blade inside or a packet of blades. I don’t have a checked bag, only the carry-on.

“Previously I was always able to bring disposable razors with the blades stored in the plastic compartment. In the General terms & Conditions, Ryanair says safety razors are allowed but, I asked the support and, even though he wasn’t anywhere specific to answer my query, he said that sharp objects are not allowed.

“So, if I bring the safety razor with me with a blade in it, the worst that can happen is they are just going to remove the razor and give me the head/handle (enclosure thing) back?”

The question got a lot of people talking, as one person replied: “Safety razor will be fine. Really comes more down to the airport you are going through, not the airline, and even then it also comes down to the individual person you deal with.”

Another added: “OP (original poster) is not asking about safety razors per se. He’s asking about the blades, which are definitely prohibited items. Someone intent on causing harm could quite easily unscrew the razor and use the blade or spare blades as weapons.”

A third also replied: “NO, you cannot. Razor blades, including straight razor blades and replacement blades, are prohibited items because they could be used as weapons.

“However, as you said, fixed cartridge razors (disposable razors) generally are allowed in carry-on luggage. Safety razors (with blades in a plastic head) also are usually permitted in carry-on luggage. But NOT the type where you can unscrew the head and extract the blade.”

If you usually carry razors with you when you travel, which a lot of people do, it turns out there are some rules you need to follow. All you need to know is detailed on the Ryanair website.

What does Ryanair say?

The website reads: “The following items must not be carried on board, but may be carried as part of your checked baggage. Objects with a sharp point or sharp edge capable of being used to cause serious injury, including razors and razor blades (except safety or disposable razors with enclosed blades and razor heads held in plastic compartments).”

It also detailed all the other items that are banned in carry-on luggage. While each airline may differ slightly when it comes to its regulations, generally there are some rules you should follow.

Even though all razors aren’t banned in carry-on luggage, certain types are prohibited. Some airlines allow disposable razors, cartridge razors and electric shavers/epilators to be carried in hand luggage.

However, traditional safety razors, straight razors and loose razor blades are usually not allowed in the cabin and must be packed in checked luggage. This is due to the fact that they are so sharp.

If deemed dangerous, security can confiscate them and the mistake could see you facing delays at the airport. In a nutshell, it’s a packing mistake that’s really not worth making.