It's one of the most common questions in European budget travel. Both airlines serve many of the same routes. Both have low headline fares. Both charge for extras. But which one is genuinely cheaper when you price the full trip?
The answer, predictably, is "it depends" — but there's a framework for working it out.
The Headline Fare
On direct route comparisons, Ryanair's base fares are typically lower. The airline has been built around an ultra-low-cost operating model since its transformation in the 1990s, and it has maintained a disciplined focus on cost efficiency that easyJet has not always matched.
In practice, Ryanair regularly offers fares under £10 for short-haul routes — something easyJet does less frequently.
Ryanair wins on base fare, typically.
The Bag Fee Reality
This is where the comparison gets more interesting.
Ryanair:
- Free: One small personal item (40x20x25cm, fits under the seat)
- Extra cost: A standard cabin bag (55x40x20cm) requires Priority Boarding or a cabin bag fee — typically £6–20 depending on route and how early you add it
If you only have a small bag that fits under the seat, Ryanair is extremely cheap. If you need a standard cabin bag in the overhead locker, you're paying extra.
easyJet:
- Free: One cabin bag (56x45x25cm) — this is a proper overhead bag
- Extra cost: Checked luggage or a second bag
easyJet's free allowance is meaningfully larger. A traveller with a standard carry-on bag pays nothing extra with easyJet and pays £6–20 more with Ryanair.
easyJet wins on bag value, typically.
The Airport Question
Ryanair uses secondary airports far more aggressively:
- London? Often Stansted, sometimes Gatwick (not Heathrow)
- Paris? Often Beauvais — 75km from the city centre
- Milan? Often Bergamo (Orio al Serio) — 45km from central Milan
- Frankfurt? Often Frankfurt-Hahn — 120km away (barely Frankfurt at all)
These airports have lower fees, which is partly why Ryanair can price so cheaply. But the hidden cost is transfer time and expense:
- Beauvais bus to central Paris: ~1 hour 15 minutes, ~€17 each way
- Bergamo bus to central Milan: ~50 minutes, ~€14 each way
- Frankfurt-Hahn bus to Frankfurt city: ~2 hours, ~€15 each way
easyJet uses primary airports more often (London Gatwick, Paris CDG, Amsterdam, Milan Malpensa). These typically have better public transport links and shorter transfer times.
easyJet wins on airport convenience, typically.
The Seat Selection Question
Both airlines charge for seat selection beyond assigned random seating. Neither assigns you a seat for free unless you're willing to accept whatever the system gives you at check-in.
On a short flight with a group or family, seat selection matters. Prices are broadly similar.
On-Time Performance
Both airlines have been competitive on punctuality. Ryanair has historically had strong OTP (on-time performance) statistics because its model prioritises fast turnarounds. easyJet's performance is also generally solid.
Neither airline stands out clearly on this metric.
Route Network
Ryanair's network is larger — it flies more routes, to more destinations, from more airports across Europe. This gives it more options, particularly to secondary cities.
easyJet's network is strong but smaller, with a more curated focus on popular leisure and business routes.
Ryanair wins on route breadth.
How to Actually Compare Them
When comparing a specific trip:
- Note the base fare on both airlines
- Add the bag fee if you need a cabin bag on Ryanair
- Add the transfer cost from the airport to your actual destination
- Add any seat selection cost if relevant
Only after calculating the total door-to-door cost (not just the seat price) does the true comparison become clear.
On many routes, the numbers end up closer than the headline fare suggests. easyJet's slightly higher base price is often offset by the free bag allowance and better airport location.
The Practical Takeaway
- Travelling with only a small under-seat bag? Ryanair is almost always cheaper.
- Travelling with a standard carry-on? Compare both fully, including airport transfer costs.
- Travelling with family and checked bags? Compare the full total; easyJet often wins.
- Specific city, not airport? Check where each airline's flights actually land.
AirHuntr tracks deals across both Ryanair and easyJet. When either carrier runs a flash sale, we publish it.
