Ryanair baggage charges seem to get more complicated all the time. Ryanair now allow bags weighing up to 20kg to be checked in on flights. Previously – the Ryanair baggage allowance was 15kg per bag with a excess charge of  €20 per kilo if the bag weighed more than 15kg. Ryanair also charge a higher baggage fee in peak months of summer and Christmas – as well as a further extra fee for some longer haul airports.

There are now two several options for checked in baggage with Ryanair .

Bags up to 15kg cost €15 per flight ( Off Peak Shorter Flights)
Bags up to 15kg cost €20 per flight ( Peak Shorter Flights)
Bags up to 15kg cost €20 per flight ( Off Peak  +Longer Haul)
Bags up to 15kg cost €25 per flight ( Peak  + Longer Haul)

Bags up to 20Kg cost €25 per flight (Off Peak Shorter Flights)
Bags up to 20Kg cost €30 per flight ( Peak Shorter Flights)
Bags up to 20Kg cost €30 per flight (Off Peak Longer Haul)
Bags up to 20Kg cost €35 per flight ( Peak  Longer Haul)

(Longer Haul :  These destinations are classed as longer hauls fom the UK / Ireland to  :  Canary Islands  ,  Kos, Rhodes, Volos and Larnaca.)

Peak times are classed by Ryanair as  1 June- 30  Sept inc.    &  21 Dec- 4 Jan 2012 inc.

Aer Lingus charge €15 baggage fees for most one way flights in Europe. Aer Lingus do also have a higher rate of  €20 Euro per one way flight for some longer distances – such as the Canaries.  Aer Lingus charges are the same all year round – they don’t increase baggage charges in the summer.
For a family with 4 20kg suitcases going to the Canaries in August   – Ryanair’s baggage fees would be €280 Euro. The same bags on Aer Lingus would cost €160 – a  saving of €120 .

Flybe – who also do several routes out of Dublin – charge just  £12.99 per flight for bags up to 20kg.  (About €15 )

You could avoid all baggage charges by using the Ferries  to the UK instead.   See Irish Ferries or Stena

You can also still avoid those Ryanair “booking fees” by paying with a Prepaid Mastercard – available in Ireland from Moneybookers. This will save you €12 per person for each return ticket booked (Irish residents Only)

Another zero baggage charge option is to stay in Ireland – there is plenty of good self catering accommodation available at  Accommodation Ireland

It’s not too early to  book a package deal abroad for Summer 2012 – Try James Villas for self catering deals .  For flight and hotel packages try  Expedia or Ebookers

This time of year – especially with the poor weather we are having – many people start thinking about booking a Summer Holiday.
Ryanair is the busiest airline flying out of Ireland – and they do have some good deals but before you book – be aware of their baggage charges.

Taking one  suitcase weighing up to 20kg on a return Ryanair flight from Dublin to the Canary Islands will cost you  €70  during the peak summer holiday period. (assuming you book them online).  If you decide for some reason to book the bags at  the airport – it will set you back  €110 for each suitcase!

On Aer Lingus flights from Dublin or Cork  – the normal baggage charges are the same all year – €15 per one way flight (up to 20kg)  (€20 on some longer hauls destinations such as the Canaries . Visit Aer Lingus to check flight deals.

For a family flying from Dublin to Tenerife in August with 4 suitcases  upto 20kg – the baggage charges on Ryanair would be €280. (pre booked online)
The same 4 bags on Aer Lingus would cost €160.  Something to consider before you rush to book book those “cheap” flights.

Airline Booking Fees also  add on extra expense when booking flights.
You can avoid the Ryanair €12 “credit card” fee for a return flight by using a Prepaid Mastercard such as the one from Moneybookers. It costs just €10 a year , there are no fees when you use it and no fees if you top it up with a laser card or direct from your bank.
See more at Moneybookers for Ireland or Moneybookers for UK

Aer Lingus do a fee free booking option also – with Visa Electron Cards .  These are not as easy to get as Mastercard Prepaid.

Full List of Ryanair Checked in Baggage Fees (June 2011)
Fees per bag/per one way flight

Peak Travel Periods are (1 June-21 Sept inc.) & (21 Dec- 4 Jan 2012 inc.)

1st Bag (15kg) – Off Peak Periods £15 or €35 at airport

1st Bag (15kg) – Kos, Rhodes, Volos , Larnaca and Canary Islands off Peak €20 or €40 at Airport

1st Bag (15kg) – Peak Periods – €20 or €40 at Airport

1st Bag (15kg) – Peak to Kos, Rhodes, Volos , Larnaca and Canary Islands €25 or €45 at Airport

1st Bag (20kg)- Off Peak Periods €25 or €45 at airport

1st Bag (20kg) – Kos, Rhodes, Volos , Larnaca and Canary Islands €30 or €50 at airport

1st Bag (20kg) – Peak – Flights €30 or €50 at airport

1st Bag (20kg) – Peak – Kos, Rhodes, Volos , Larnaca and Canary Islands €35 or €55 at airport

Aer Lingus Baggage Charges in Europe

€15 per one way flight for bags upto 20kg when booked online .
€20 per one way flight  Dublin to Agadir, Alicante, Athens, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Izmir, Lanzarote, Malaga, Naples, Rome, Sicily & Tenerife

Some Other airlines baggage charges:

FlyBe £10.99 for 15kg ; £12.99 for 20kg  per one way flight
Bmi Baby baggage charges start at £13.99/€17.00 per 22kg per one way flight

Students who are starting college in the UK this year can avail of a special offer from Stena Line.  They are offering free travel for students on their 5 routes to the UK.

Book a ticket for  a car and driver (from €79 Single) and add  as many students as you can fit in for FREE!   Check Availability Here
With no baggage fees  or weight limits – you can pack in all the bedding , clothes, books and computer equipment that you need .

This offer is available for midweek travel from 1 September 2010 and generally must be booked 28 days in advance. Bookings must be made by 18 October for travel up to 16 December 2010.
Proof of student identification or letter of acceptance from the university will be required at time of booking and will be verified at the port at check-in.