- Mr Plane Guy
- Apr 6, 2024
- 6 min read
Ryanair Survival Guide (2026): How to Actually Enjoy a Ryanair Flight
By Mr Plane Guy, Plane Honest Travel & Loyalty Insights
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog flying high (and funds my airport coffee habit).
Why You Need a Ryanair Survival Guide
Let’s be honest.
Flying Ryanair isn’t the problem.Flying Ryanair unprepared is.
Because if you get it wrong, you’ll end up:
Paying unexpected baggage fees
Standing in queues for hours
Stuck without food, water, or entertainment
But if you get it right?
👉 It’s one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to travel in Europe.
Quick Answer: Is Ryanair Worth It?
Yes, if you prepare properly.
Ryanair is unbeatable on price, but you need to play by the rules. A few smart upgrades and small habits can completely change the experience.
Ryanair Baggage Rules (2026 Update)
This is where most people go wrong.
Standard Ticket:
1 small personal bag only (must fit under the seat)
Size: 40 x 20 x 25 cm
Priority Boarding:
1 small bag + 1 cabin bag (10kg)
Much better boarding experience
Checked Bags:
Extra cost, added during booking or later
👉 Plane Honest Tip: If you’re travelling for more than 2–3 days, just go Priority. It’s usually cheaper than getting caught out at the gate.
You can find more information about this bag Right Here
Ryanair Priority
Purchasing a priority boarding pass allows you to carry an additional larger cabin bag of up to 10kg that can go in the overhead storage
55cm x 40cm x20cm.
Here is a video I made about my Cabin Max Anode! I have to say I really love mine as it is such good quality, it fits perfectly for 'Ryanair Priority' cabin bag measurements and is super lightweight because it is made from a light carbon material!
This is perfect if you have purchased Ryanair Priority or have paid for a bag to carry onboard, option.
They usually pre board priority and you stand around in an airport gate for around 30 minutes like cattle waiting to graze.
My Cabin Max Anode 40L is the perfect fit for Ryanair Priority and many other low cost airlines, it's super light and really great quality.
👉 Check the latest price for the Cabin Max Anode here
This is the 40 litre version, I usually take this for trips 3 to 7 days and this is perfect for me. It has 4 x 360 degree wheels so you can push it around.
It also comes in a 30 litre version, the 30 litre version has just 2 wheels and you can take it onboard easyJet and Wizz Air as part of your free baggage allowance, but not Ryanair though!
Oh here is a link to a blog about my bag I use from Cabin Max, they really know how to design cases and bags for low cost airlines and they are designed with Ryanair's baggage rules. Check out this blog post
Boarding Passes: Digital Only
Ryanair is now fully digital-first.
Use the app
Download your boarding pass in advance
Screenshot it (don’t rely on signal)
👉 No phone battery = big problem
Remember, never leave check-in until you reach the airport. Failing to check in online in advance can result in a charge of £55 per person! Potentially more than the flight cost!
Bring a Power Bank (Non-Negotiable)
You’ll be using your phone for:
Boarding pass
Entertainment
Podcasts / music
And Ryanair has no charging onboard
No Entertainment? Bring Your Own
There’s:
No WiFi
No screens
No distractions
👉 You are the entertainment
What I do:
Download Netflix / Prime shows
Use Audible for audiobooks + podcasts
👉 Try Audible free for flights here
Get this nifty little phone holder for flights it was like, less than a tenner and I love it. Here it is on Amazon
Airport Strategy (This Changes Everything)
Pay for Fast Track Security
At airports like Stansted and Manchester:👉 This is worth it
Especially during schoolholidays,Thirsday-Saturday, approaching bank holidays or Christmas.
Skip long queues
Less stress
Better start to your trip
Bring an Empty Water Bottle
Fill it at airport fountains after security
Avoid £3+ airport water
Stay Clean (Ryanair Reality)
Let’s be honest again.
Planes turn around quickly… very quickly.
Bring:
Antibacterial hand gel
Hand wipes
(Optional but elite move) marigold gloves
Wear Your Bulky Items
Trying to beat baggage rules?
Wear:
Hoodie
Jacket
Trainers instead of packing them
Be Ready to Stand… A Lot
This is where most people are caught off guard.
With Ryanair, expect:
Standing at the gate early
Being “held” in the boarding area
Waiting even when the aircraft isn’t ready
Sometimes the plane is still somewhere over Europe while you’re queuing
If you have Priority:
You may still stand in the jet bridge (or outside on the ramp)
Sometimes for 20–30 minutes
Plane Honest: This is just how Ryanair operates. Be mentally ready and it won’t annoy you.
Bring Earplugs (Underrated Tip)
Between:
Announcements
Passengers
Engine noise
Earplugs = peaceful flight
Extra Plane Tips (From Someone Who’s Seen It All)
Screenshot EVERYTHING (boarding pass, gate, booking)
Sit near the front if you want to get off quickly
Don’t rely on overhead space (it fills fast)
Eat before boarding, onboard food is expensive
Bring snacks (no one talks about this enough)
The Smart Way to Fly Ryanair
Most people try to go as cheap as possible.....and end up stressed.
The smarter way:
Add Priority
Bring the right gear
Prepare properly
👉 Cheap flight + smart planning = smooth experience, you may like this article about another way to find cheap flights with Jack's Flight Club.
👉 Want cheap flights without the hassle?
Final Boarding Call
Ryanair isn’t luxury, but it doesn’t have to feel like a survival mission either.
Get the basics right, and you’ll:
Save money
Avoid stress
Travel more often
Plane Tip: Pair your Ryanair flight with:
A proper cabin bag
Lounge access (yes, even on budget flights)
A good power bank + downloads
That’s how you turn budget travel into luxury for less
Plane Related Guides
If you have any questions about flying with Ryanair or anything about travel, please pop it in the comments...............I will get back to you as a Ryanair Priority :)
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Ryanair Survival Guide (2026): How to Actually Enjoy a Ryanair Flight.
Airport lounges, free upgrades, travel chaos and the occasional meltdown. Real travel, not influencer nonsense.
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