Hacks for the savvy traveller

Hack: a free bag on Ryanair and Wizz Air

The basic fare includes one small under-seat bag — 40×30×20 cm. Roll your clothes and it fits 3–4 days' worth. You don't have to pay extra for a 10 kg cabin case!

Hack: check in online

On Ryanair, airport check-in is paid and expensive. Check in via the app or website: free check-in opens 24 hours before departure (if you didn't buy a seat). Set a reminder!

When should you buy tickets?

On European budget airlines, prices are usually lowest 1–2 months before departure and rise in the last 2 weeks. There's no “magic day of the week” to buy — flexible dates matter more. That's exactly why we search flights 3 months ahead.

Hack: pay in the airline's currency

If the site offers to “pay in your currency”, say no. The airline's conversion is almost always worse than your bank's rate. Choose to pay in euros.

Hack: seats on the plane

Choosing a seat costs extra. If you don't pay, you'll get a random seat, but your ticket is just as good. Flying as a couple for 2–3 days? You can sit apart for a while — and save on two tickets.

Flight delayed? You may get paid!

Under EU rules (EC 261), if a flight from the EU is delayed by 3+ hours or cancelled less than 14 days in advance, you're entitled to €250–600 compensation (depending on distance), unless it was due to “extraordinary circumstances”. Claim on the airline's website — it's free.

Hack: getting from the airport

Budget airlines often fly to remote airports: Beauvais (Paris), Charleroi (Brussels), Bergamo (Milan). Before buying, check the bus fare into town — sometimes it costs more than the flight. It's worth booking the bus in advance.

Documents: Schengen and beyond

The UK and Ireland are not in Schengen, so you may need a visa or a separate travel authorisation. Before buying a ticket, check the requirements for your citizenship and status on the country's official website.

Hack: liquids in hand luggage

Usually you can take up to 100 ml per container, all in a clear bag of up to 1 litre. Some airports have new scanners that allow more, but rules vary — plan for the strictest. Creamy cosmetics count as liquids too!

Hack: a cheap week instead of a pricey weekend

Trips departing Tuesday–Thursday are often half the price of Friday departures. If you can take 1–2 days off, look for posts in our group without the 🗓 mark.

Hack: how to use the group

🔔 Turn on notifications only for your country's topic.
#️⃣ Tap a city hashtag in a post (e.g. #Рим for Rome) to see all trips there.
🔥 #суперціна (super price) — trips under €30.
🗓 #вихідні (weekend) — Friday–Sunday trips.
🏆 Every Sunday — the “Top 5 of the week” in this topic.

Hack: check the price right away

Prices in our posts come from real searches, but budget airlines change them every hour. Spotted a great trip? Open Skyscanner or Aviasales from the post and check straight away. The best prices vanish within a day or two.

Hack: cabin bag weight

Wear your heaviest items (jacket, shoes, jumper) and spread the small stuff across your pockets. Pockets don't get weighed 😉 Bring a foldable shopping bag — it'll come in handy on the way back.

🔎 Search your own route with our bot

Message @LowCostSpain_bot your origin, destination and month — for example «Krakow Barcelona March». Within seconds you'll get the 3 cheapest direct round-trip options.

🔔 Price alerts
Send «/alert Warsaw London 40» and the bot will tell you when the trip drops to €40.

Hack: accommodation cheaper than your flight

For 2–3 days, hostels with private rooms or apartments on the outskirts near a metro stop are often the better deal. Book with free cancellation — if you find something cheaper, just switch your booking.