I still remember the first time I booked a “too good to be true” flight for $39. I felt like I had beaten the system… until the extra charges started stacking up. A fee for my carry-on. A charge for picking a seat. Even water wasn’t free. By the time I landed, my so-called bargain was pricier than a standard airline ticket.
If you’ve ever booked a low-cost airline and ended up paying more than expected, you’re not alone. Many travelers get lured in by rock-bottom fares, only to be caught off guard by the add-ons.
In this guide, I’ll share the most common hidden costs of budget airlines I’ve encountered and the tricks I use now to avoid them. These tips can help you keep that low fare low and make sure your next trip really is as budget-friendly as it looks.
Quick Reference: Hidden Costs of Budget Airlines & How to Avoid Them
| Hidden Cost | Typical Price Range | What to Watch Out For | How I Avoid It |
| Baggage Fees (Even Carry-Ons) | $50–$115 per bag | “Personal item” size limits are smaller than standard; carry-ons often cost extra | Measure/weigh bags at home, pack light, prepay baggage online |
| Seat Selection Fees | $5–$50 per seat | Families/groups split up; extra legroom & window seats cost more | Skip on short flights, wait until check-in to grab free seats |
| Booking & Payment Charges | $5–$15 per ticket | Certain payment methods trigger fees | Use airline’s preferred card, check totals before paying |
| Airport Check-In / Boarding Pass Printing | $20–$60 per pass | Some airlines charge for counter check-in or printing passes | Check in online, save pass in wallet app & as a screenshot |
| Food & Drink Onboard | $4+ water, $10+ snacks | No free drinks; limited stock sells out fast | Bring snacks, refill bottle after security, buy hot food in terminal |
| Change & Cancellation Fees | $50–$150+ per ticket | Change fee may exceed ticket price | Double-check details before booking, consider flexible fare if unsure |
| Priority Boarding | $30–$50 | Minimal benefit unless carrying large bags | Arrive early at gate, skip unless bundled with needed perks |
1. Baggage Fees (Even Carry-Ons!)
One of the biggest surprises for first-time budget airline passengers is discovering that even carry-on bags can cost extra. On many budget carriers, your ticket only covers a small “personal item” that must fit completely under the seat in front of you think laptop bag, slim backpack, or small tote. Anything larger, even a standard rolling cabin suitcase, usually requires a paid upgrade to “carry-on” status.
The tricky part? Airlines often have their own size and weight limits, and they’re usually smaller than what you’ll find on full-service carriers. I learned this the hard way on a flight to Denver when my perfectly standard carry-on passed TSA but was stopped at the boarding gate. The airline rep measured it in their sizer and declared it “too tall,” charging me $60 on the spot. It was especially frustrating because I could have paid $35 online if I’d known in advance.
On carriers like Spirit, Frontier, and Wizz Air, expect to pay anywhere from $50–$65 for a carry-on if you book it online, and up to $100+ at the airport. Checked baggage is even pricier, with additional penalties for exceeding the airline’s strict weight limits (often 40 lbs instead of the more common 50 lbs).
Zee Tip:
- Measure and weigh your bags at home. Don’t rely on “standard carry-on” sizing check your airline’s exact limits.
- If you know you’ll need extra baggage, always prepay online when booking or managing your trip it’s almost always cheaper than at the airport.
- Consider packing light enough for a free personal item, especially on short trips. I’ve done three-day getaways with just a backpack, and it’s a game changer.
2. Seat Selection Fees
Seat selection is another way budget airlines increase revenue. Whether you want an aisle seat for quick bathroom access, a window seat for the view, or just to sit next to your travel partner, there’s almost always a charge. Fees typically range from $5 to $50 per seat, per flight segment.
I once booked a last-minute flight to Chicago and decided to skip paying for seats, thinking I’d get lucky. Instead, I ended up wedged in the middle of the back row between two tall strangers for nearly five hours. Not exactly the most comfortable way to travel. Since then, I only skip seat selection when the flight is short and I’m traveling solo.
What many travelers don’t realize is that random seat assignments can split up families or groups, even if you’re on the same reservation. Airlines count on you paying extra to be seated together.
Zee Tip:
- If you don’t care where you sit and you’re okay with being separated from your travel companions, skip the fee and take your chances.
- If you’re flying long-haul or traveling with kids, it’s worth paying for seats together, just factor the cost into your ticket price from the start.
- Some airlines release unassigned seats for free at check-in, so if you’re flexible, wait until online check-in opens and choose then.
3. Booking & Payment Processing Charges
Some budget airlines quietly add booking fees or payment processing charges right at the end of your transaction. These can vary based on the payment method you choose certain credit cards, PayPal, or even specific bank transfers can trigger an extra cost. The amount might be small (think $5–$8 per ticket), but if you’re booking for multiple passengers or a round trip, it adds up fast.
On one trip to Spain, I nearly paid an extra €12 per ticket just because I selected PayPal for convenience. I canceled the payment page, switched to the airline’s preferred debit card option, and the fee disappeared.
In some cases, the only way to avoid these charges is to use the airline’s own branded credit card or a specific payment provider. Other times, third-party booking sites don’t apply the same processing fee but they might charge other service fees, so always compare the final totals before deciding.
Zee Tip:
- Always review the payment summary screen before hitting “Confirm” to catch any surprise processing charges.
- If an airline waives fees for a certain card, consider using it just for that booking.
- Sometimes booking through a reputable third-party site can save you these charges but make sure you check their cancellation and change policies first.
4. Airport Check-In & Boarding Pass Printing
One of the easiest ways to get caught out with a budget airline is by showing up at the airport without checking in online. Many of these carriers rely on passengers to complete check-in through their app or website and either print their own boarding pass or use a mobile one. If you arrive without doing this, you could be hit with a hefty “airport check-in” fee.
Some airlines take it even further. Ryanair, for example, charges up to $60 just to print your boarding pass at the airport. I learned my lesson during a trip to Portugal when my phone died in line for security. I had my boarding pass saved only in the airline’s app, which required Wi-Fi to load. Thankfully, the gate agent was kind enough to print it without charging me, but it was a stressful moment I wouldn’t want to repeat.
Zee Tip:
- Always check in online as soon as it opens (usually 24–48 hours before departure).
- Save your boarding pass in multiple ways: download it to your phone’s wallet app, take a screenshot, and email yourself a copy.
- Carry a small power bank in your personal item so your phone doesn’t run out of battery before boarding.
5. Food & Drink Prices Onboard
One thing that surprises a lot of people about budget airlines is how nothing is complimentary not even water. This is especially noticeable on long flights, where the lack of even a small snack can feel like an endurance test.
I once took a five-hour evening flight and assumed there’d be at least a basic drink service. Nope bottled water was $4, and the only food available was a $10 pre-packaged sandwich. I caved and bought a coffee for $5, which was lukewarm at best.
The problem isn’t just the prices it’s that on longer flights, the options are often limited and sell out quickly. If you’re in the later boarding groups, you may find only snacks left.
Zee Tip:
- Bring your own snacks and a refillable water bottle. Most airports have water refill stations past security, so you can board with a full bottle.
- If you want a hot meal, buy it in the terminal before boarding it’ll usually taste better and cost less.
- For early morning or overnight flights, pack something easy to eat without needing utensils, like a breakfast bar or wrap.
6. Change & Cancellation Fees
Flexibility comes at a steep price on budget airlines. If you need to change your flight date, time, or even correct a small spelling error in your name, the fees can be shockingly high. In some cases, the change fee is higher than the cost of the original ticket.
I once had to move a weekend trip by just one day and was quoted $85 in fees for a $49 flight. In the end, I booked an entirely new ticket and let the original one go unused it was still cheaper.
Budget airlines keep their base fares low by charging extra for these changes, so it’s important to be absolutely sure about your travel details before booking.
Zee Tip:
- Double-check your travel dates, spelling of names, and airport codes before confirming your booking.
- If there’s any uncertainty, compare the cost of a “flexible fare” upgrade to the airline’s change fee sometimes it’s worth paying more upfront.
- For bigger trips, consider travel insurance that covers cancellations for specific reasons, but read the fine print to make sure airline change fees are included.
7. Priority Boarding & Early Check-In Costs
Priority boarding might sound appealing, but unless you’re traveling with a lot of carry-on baggage or have mobility needs, it’s rarely worth the extra $30–$50.
On one trip, I paid for priority boarding, thinking it would save time. In reality, we still ended up waiting on the jet bridge, and the only real benefit was extra overhead bin space which I didn’t even need because I’d checked my bag.
Budget airlines often bundle priority boarding with other perks like extra baggage allowance, so if you’re buying it for multiple reasons, it might be worthwhile. But if you’re a light traveler, you can skip it without missing much.
Zee Tip:
- If you’re worried about overhead bin space, try to be at the gate early so you’re among the first in your boarding group.
- If you’re traveling with just a personal item, there’s no real rush you can board last and still have room under the seat.
- Consider whether you need the whole bundle sometimes, it’s cheaper to just pay for the one add-on you actually want.
Conclusion
A $39 ticket can easily double or triple in cost once you add in all the extras, and that’s before you even get to your destination. I’ve learned to compare the total cost of a budget flight with what a full-service airline is offering. Sometimes, the “expensive” airline ends up being the better deal when you consider baggage, seating, and flexibility.
If you travel smart, budget airlines can still be a great way to save, just make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for.
