Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost airline, and its fares can be astonishingly low. But the first price you see in the search results is rarely the price you end up paying. Baggage, seat selection, check-in and the airport you fly into can all change the cost of the trip considerably.
This guide sorts out the rules: what the ticket includes, how big the free bag can be, how check-in works, what families need to know and how to avoid unnecessary charges.
What is Ryanair?
Ryanair is an Irish airline that operates on a low-cost model and links hundreds of destinations in Europe and beyond. The model rests on a basic, relatively cheap ticket, with additional services sold separately.
The airline sometimes uses secondary airports far from the city centre. Before booking, check not only the name of the destination but also the airport code, the travel time into town and the cost of transport.
Does Ryanair fly to Israel?
Ryanair’s activity in Israel has changed several times depending on the security situation, terminal availability and operational considerations. Do not rely on an old list of destinations or on a past news report.
Before booking, check on the airline’s website and in a search engine whether the flight actually appears on the date you want. You can also read our page on Ryanair destinations from Israel.
What the basic Ryanair ticket includes
Every ticket includes a seat on the flight and one small personal bag that goes under the seat in front of you. Seat selection, a trolley for the overhead locker, a checked suitcase, priority boarding and other services are not necessarily part of the base price.
When comparing, add every service you really need. A ticket that looks cheap can become expensive once you add bags and seats for the whole family.
Baggage
The free bag
Under Ryanair’s official baggage policy, each passenger may bring one personal bag of up to 40x30x20 cm. It has to fit under the seat in front.
Sizes are enforced with a measuring frame at the airport. A bag that is too big may be sent to the hold for a high fee at the gate, so measure it at home after packing, not when it is empty.
Priority and two cabin bags
Passengers who buy Priority & 2 Cabin Bags can bring, in addition to the personal bag, a bag of up to 10 kg and up to 55x40x20 cm for the overhead locker.
Priority places are limited. If you know you will need a trolley, compare the price of the bundle at booking with the cost of adding baggage later.
Checked bags
Ryanair offers several checked baggage options, including bags of 10, 20 or 23 kg, depending on the offer and the route. Weight and quantity must match exactly what was bought in the booking.
Weigh your bags at home and leave a small margin. Going over can mean an extra charge at the airport. For more detail, see our Ryanair baggage and seating guide.
Check-in and boarding pass
Online check-in on time is mandatory. A passenger who has not completed the process before the check-in window closes may have to pay for check-in at the airport.
Since November 2025 the airline has moved to digital boarding passes in its app on most flights. Complete check-in in advance and make sure the boarding pass appears in the Ryanair app before you leave for the airport.
If the app sends you to a desk for document verification after you have checked in as required, Ryanair says issuing the pass at the desk is free. That is different from a passenger who did not check in online at all.
See also our online check-in guide for low-cost flights.
When does check-in open?
Passengers who paid for a seat can usually check in earlier. Those who chose free random seat allocation check in within a shorter window, which generally opens 24 hours before the flight and closes two hours before departure.
The exact window appears in your booking and in the app. Set a reminder for the return flight too, especially if you will be abroad without a steady internet connection.
Seats and families
Choosing seats
You can pay to choose a seat in advance, or accept a free random allocation when check-in opens. Adults on the same booking are not guaranteed to sit together if seats were not purchased.
The seat price varies with its position in the aircraft, the route and when you book. If sitting together matters to you, include that cost in your comparison from the start.
Flying with children and infants
Under the airline’s family policy, children aged 2 to 11 must sit next to an accompanying adult. A family can buy seats in advance or choose random allocation, in which a child is placed next to an adult from the same booking at no charge; additional adults and teenagers may be seated separately.
An infant on an adult’s lap has no regular bag allowance, but the airline permits a baby bag of up to 5 kg within the published dimensions and two items of baby equipment free of charge, subject to the current policy.
Before the flight, add the infant to the booking and check which documents are needed and how to hand over a stroller or car seat.
Remote airports
One of the most important things with Ryanair is to check where you are really flying. The city name on the ticket can refer to an airport a considerable distance from the centre.
Check in advance:
- The airport code.
- How long the journey to your accommodation takes.
- Bus or train times.
- Whether there is transport after a late landing.
- How much a taxi costs if you miss public transport.
Sometimes a slightly more expensive flight to a central airport saves time, an extra night and transport costs.
Changes, cancellations and refunds
Changing a name, date or route
Changes to a booking may involve a fee and a fare difference. Before paying, check carefully that the name in English matches the passport and that you have chosen the right dates and destinations.
Do not use a nickname and do not swap first name and surname. If you spot a mistake, check the manage-booking area straight away and do not wait for the day of the flight. Our step-by-step guide to managing a Ryanair booking shows how.
Flight cancellation and refunds
Cancellation terms depend on the reason, the type of ticket and the applicable law. If the airline cancels the flight, look in your booking area to see what is offered: a change of flight, a refund or another solution.
If the passenger cancels, a basic ticket is not necessarily refundable. Do not rely on the word “Flexi” alone; read the exact terms of the bundle before buying.
How to find a Ryanair flight that is really cheap
- Compare the final price including baggage and seats.
- Check nearby dates, not just one day.
- Compare the cost of getting to and from each airport.
- Add the services you need in advance, not at the airport.
- Check flight times and whether you would need an extra night.
- Measure and weigh your bags at home.
- Complete online check-in on time.
Flight Hunter lets you compare Ryanair flights with other airlines by final price and by the dates that suit you.
Checklist before a Ryanair flight
- The name in the booking is identical to the passport.
- The passport is valid and meets the destination’s requirements.
- Check-in is done for every passenger and each direction.
- The boarding pass is saved in the app.
- Bags match the sizes and weights you bought.
- You have checked which terminal the flight leaves from (at Ben Gurion, most low-cost flights use Terminal 1).
- You have checked transport from the arrival airport to your hotel.
- You reach the boarding gate by the time shown on the pass.
Ryanair FAQ
How big is the free bag?
Under the official policy the maximum is 40x30x20 cm, and it has to fit under the seat.
Is a trolley included in the ticket?
Not in the basic ticket. A trolley of up to 10 kg for the overhead locker usually comes with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or a suitable bundle.
Do you have to check in online?
Yes. A passenger who does not complete online check-in on time may pay an airport check-in fee.
Can you show a printed boarding pass?
Ryanair uses a digital boarding pass in its app on most flights. There are exceptions depending on the country and the passenger, so follow the instructions in your booking.
Do children sit next to their parents?
Children aged 2 to 11 must sit next to an accompanying adult from the same booking. Additional adults and teenagers are not guaranteed to sit together without seat selection.
Ryanair’s policy and its operations from Israel may change. Before every flight, check the current rules on the airline’s website and in the app.
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