Ryanair passengers who do not check in online before arriving at the airport could be charged an extra fee of £55/€55. The airline applies this charge when travellers check in at the airport desk instead of online.
Airport check-in fee explained
According to the Ryanair website, passengers who do not check in online up to 2 hours before their scheduled departure time may still check in at the airport up to 40 minutes before departure, but they will be charged an airport check-in fee. The website states: "If you do not check in online up to 2 hours before your scheduled departure time, you may check in at the airport up to 40 minutes before departure, but you will be charged an airport check-in fee. We urge all passengers to check in online before arriving at the airport so these fees can be avoided."
The fee covers the check-in service at the desk, and the airline will print a boarding pass at no extra cost. Prices may vary depending on the route.
Expert advice on carrying documents
Mark Finley, Manager and printing expert at Choice Stationery Supplies, advises travellers to keep printed copies of important documents as a backup. He said: "Paperless works right up until it doesn't. A dead battery at the gate, no signal, an app that won't load - a printed backup costs pence and takes the whole problem off the table."
He also highlighted the risk of phone theft abroad, noting that losing a phone means losing boarding passes, booking confirmations, insurance details and tickets. Printed copies, kept with a passport, can serve as a safeguard.
Documents to print before departure
Finley recommends printing a selection of documents before travelling, including a car hire voucher, visa or ETA confirmation if needed, proof of accommodation, proof of return or onward travel, travel insurance details, and a prescription letter for any medication being carried. He explained that some car hire desks, border officials, and airports still require paper documentation, and "finding out in the queue is the most expensive way to learn it."
These documents may not always be needed, but keeping them with a passport ensures a backup if a phone fails or is lost.
