A $15 base fare looks like a dream. But add checked baggage, a specific seat, online check-in, a meal on board and priority boarding, and the final price can be two or three times higher. Understanding which extras airlines charge for — and which ones you can skip — is the difference between a genuine bargain and an expensive disappointment.
Baggage fees: the biggest hidden cost
At Wizz Air, Ryanair and easyJet, a checked bag (up to 23 kg) typically costs $30-90 depending on the route and when you buy. Buying at the time of booking is always cheapest; adding baggage at online check-in costs more; paying at the boarding gate is most expensive of all. A personal item (roughly 40x20x25 cm) is usually still free — so packing light is the simplest saving.
Seat selection fees
- Extra legroom seats (exit row, row 1): $15-45 extra
- A specific window or aisle seat: $5-15
- Not choosing a seat: the airline assigns one at random — a family may be split across the cabin
- Early boarding: $5-10 — the main benefit is guaranteed overhead-bin space for your carry-on
Online check-in fees
Ryanair charges up to $60 if you check in at the airport desk instead of online. Wizz Air automatically activates auto-check-in if you subscribe to the service. Always check in online within the window — Ryanair: 2-40 hours before departure; Wizz Air: 1-3 hours before. Missing the window means paying at the desk.
Other common charges
- In-flight meals: $5-15 — pre-ordering online is always cheaper than buying on board
- Flight change fee: $30-95 depending on airline; Wizz Air Flex tickets reduce this significantly
- Name change: $25-55; some carriers do not allow name changes at all
- Travel insurance added by the airline — almost always more expensive than buying a third-party policy
How to keep costs down
- Fly hand-luggage only — the cheapest option; see Travel365's guide to hand-luggage-only travel
- Add checked baggage when booking, not later — price jumps significantly at check-in
- Skip seat selection and check in early — back rows are often still grouped together
- Wizz Air Priority pass — guaranteed cabin-bag space plus early boarding; worth it on busy routes
The Travel365 price calendar shows the net fare without baggage. To calculate the true final price, add the baggage fee that matches your needs.
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