We are flying Ryanair from Shannon, Ireland to Beauvais,France (near Paris) on Saturday, July 1. This is my first experience with a European budget carrier. Our flight leaves at 12:05.
I understand that we can't check in on the internet and it sounds like seats are assigned at the check in counter. We will be checking one bag each, which I understand we will have to pay for.
We can take a free shuttle (provided by our walking trip company) that will pick us up at our B&B, but the time would be 11 am. I checked on ViaMichelin and the owner of the B&B has confirmed that it's about 10 minutes away.
But that puts us at the airport a bit less than an hour before our flight... and what if the shuttle is somehow late? My sense is that I should press for an earlier time (not sure if this is possible) or go ahead and pay for a cab.
Opinions? What time should we ideally plan to be at the airport before our flight?
Hi Kathy, i've used Ryanair a few times from Bergamo to Paris ( Beauvais airport) and was very very satisfied with it!. The shuttle bus from the airport to Paris takes about 50minutes. Checkin and seat assignement is "first-come-first-serve" but on short flight seats are not a big problem... Thumbs-up for Ryanair
I wouldn't want to do it. Ryanair doesn't account for any time you are standing in line at the check-in counter. If the check-in agent says that it is now 30 minutes (or 40 minutes, depending on the airport) before your flight, he or she will slam down the window right then. I've read reports of families where half get checked in, and half do not.
It may be that with Shannon airport, the risk of a long line is small. There's also the security line, and if you are not ready to board in time because of security, Ryanair does not wait either, based on accounts.
I was very happy with Ryanair for the price, but cutting it close on time is not something I'd consider.
I agree, I think you should give yourself more time, Kathy.
I flew out of London a few years ago with Ryan Air. I took the "Stansted Express" train and was supposed to arrive about 3 hours before my flight took off.
Well, the "Express" train was 45 minutes late and then kept getting the power cut off during what was supposed to be a 45 minute ride. We ended up having to all unload from the express train halfway there and pack onto a local train that made twice the stops.
when I FINALLY arrived at the airport, it was about 30 minutes before my flight and I was greeted by a too-smug attendant that pronounced check-in stopped 35 minutes before each flight.
AHHHH! I really wanted to scream, but since I was only going back "home" to my apartment in Italy after my 3 week vacation, I simply stood in line with the 20 or so other passengers and paid 40 quid to change my flight. I was supposed to get my money back after sending a complaint form to the Stansted Express people, but I never saw a penny.
Anyway, all this was just to say, you can never be to careful with times. Especially if you are relying on any sort of public transportation, it's best to be super early than just a little bit late.
Okay, thank you all so much. You're reinforcing my feeling that we are cutting it too close. That's the only Ryanair flight to Paris that day, so we can't risk missing it-- and having to pay for new flights.
We are also going to weigh (and measure) our bags to stay in the Ryanair guidelines for this one segment-- surely we can pack for seven+ weeks in a 20 kg checked bag and 30 kg carry on? (I suspect we'll all be wearing our hiking boots...)
Hi Kathy -- please post again when you've been through the Ryanair experience, especially the seat assignments, whether it was a zoo or an orderly queue. Eager to hear how you find it! -- Janie
A lot of the people who come to visit us here in Spain arrive by Ryanair. So far there have been no complaints and the flights have been on time.
Most people fly on the Stanstead to Jerez de la Frontera flight but some arrive at Malaga.
Part of the service we offer is airport pick up and drop off and we always get our guests to the airport two hours before the flight. We help them check in and then normally get a farewell beer in the bar....
A relaxed departure is much better than speeding down the roads thinking that we might miss the check in time.
Walking boots may hamper your sprint to get 3 seats together Kaydee!
Airlines claim this method of getting passengers to their seats reduces turn round time as everyone runs to get their seats and also are less likely to be lost at the airport spending their money shopping!
Wendy
Posts: 2747 | Location: Lightwater Surrey U K | Registered: 30 March 2003
The non assigned seats are interesting. The Airline has a policy of the earlier you check in, the earlier you board. In reality it is done in 3 groups: Parents with children or those with mobility difficulties, then the first 90 or so to check in, finally the last 90 or so to check in.
It depends on how strict the cabin annd ground crews are in enforcing this order. At both Palermo last year, and Pisa this, they were very good in turning away marauding Italian youths who had arrived at the last moment, but wanted to board first.
Posts: 833 | Location: Hampshire, UK | Registered: 28 March 2005
Kathy, as you're learning, there are NO seat assignments on RyanAir, period. You check in, then either queue up all together, or queue up in two lines based on when you checked in (they use a "security code" on your boarding card). When your group is called - see Tim's post on the "3 group method" - you run to get a seat. Depending on which airport you are in, the queue is more or less orderly, usually less some places (particularly in Italy and Germany)! As I recall, Shannon was not too bad, but I haven't flown in there in almost 2 years. But do not delay in getting into the queue.
It can turn into a bit of a scrum, but it's generally good-natured, and all seems to work out somehow in the end. As Wendy points out, the turnaround time for a plane is amazingly short. Something like 30 minutes between landing and takeoff. We've flown RyanAir multiple times over the past 5 years, all through Germany (Frankfurt/Hahn), London (Stansted), Ireland (Shannon), and Scotland (Glastow/Prestwick). Ditto with EasyJet to Naples. For us, the low prices are worth dealing with the strict rules.
I think you are wise to plan to get there earlier. 1 hour or less is not enough of a cushion. We usually try to arrive 1-1/2 to 2 hours ahead for a RyanAir flight, even knowing that the check-in window may not be open that early. The penalties for being late are simply too costly.
Best wishes for a wonderful trip! I'll look forward to reading your blog/trip report.
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