Ryanair is usually cheaper. easyJet is usually more comfortable to book. Neither is straightforwardly cheap once you add the extras. Here is the honest comparison.

The Base Fare Reality

Ryanair's headline fares are genuinely lower than easyJet's on most comparable routes. A £10-£20 difference per person is common. But Ryanair's free allowance is tighter, its fees are more aggressive, and the experience of booking is designed to sell you things you do not need.

easyJet's base fares are higher but the booking flow is cleaner and the add-ons are slightly less punishing.

Bags: Where the Costs Diverge

Ryanair's free allowance is a single under-seat bag (40x20x25cm). An overhead cabin bag requires purchasing "priority boarding" at around £6-£8 each way in advance, or significantly more added later.

easyJet's free allowance is one under-seat bag (45x36x20cm), which is larger. A large cabin bag (56x45x25cm, the standard overhead size) costs around £13 each way booked in advance.

If you travel with an overhead bag, the effective price difference between the two airlines often closes to within a few pounds per person.

Hold luggage costs are similar on both: roughly £10-£35 each way depending on weight (10kg, 15kg, or 20kg) and how early you book.

Check-In: Ryanair's £55 Trap

Ryanair charges £55 per person to check in at the airport. Online check-in is free but closes 2 hours before departure. If you forget to check in online, you will pay that fee or be turned away. Set a reminder at the 60-day mark when check-in opens, or the day before for last-minute bookings.

easyJet does not charge airport check-in fees.

Seat Selection

Both airlines charge for advance seat selection (£3-£25 depending on seat type and route). Neither requires you to pay. Both will assign you a free seat at check-in. If you do not care where you sit, skip it. If you need to sit together with children, Ryanair is legally obligated to seat under-12s near a guardian, so again: skip it.

Which Is Actually Cheaper?

Run the numbers for your specific trip. For a carry-on-only traveller who checks in online, Ryanair usually wins by £5-£20 per person return. For a traveller with a hold bag who wants flexibility, the difference is smaller. For someone who misses the Ryanair check-in window or adds a bag at the airport, easyJet is categorically cheaper.

The Tricks That Matter

On Ryanair: check in online as soon as the window opens. Use a debit card to avoid the payment fee. Book cabin bag allowance with the original ticket, never added later. Turn off the travel insurance upsell on every page.

On easyJet: book ahead for the lowest fares. If you need a large cabin bag, add it during initial booking. FLEXI fares are overpriced for most city breaks; stick to standard unless you genuinely need the flexibility.

Both airlines are legitimate, reliable, and usually on time. The fees are avoidable if you know they are coming.