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