Ryanair and Wizz Air passengers are being urged to avoid a costly flight mistake when travelling abroad. While it’s possible to bag flights to destinations across Europe at cheap prices that won’t break the bank, passengers can end up paying out a lot of money once their flight has landed by failing to make an important check.
Airport transfer experts SCSChauffuers are warning Ryanair and Wizz Air passengers to double check their destination airport before booking their flights or risk having to pay expensive transfer costs at some locations. According to the company, many budget airlines – such as Ryanair and Wizz Air – use major destinations in airport names, but what passengers may not realise is the airport is actually miles away from the city you’re visiting. It means that passengers then have to pay extra for an airport transfer to their destination, which – depending on the location – can be costly. As such, passengers are urged to double check the exact location of the airport before booking their flights to avoid added expenses.
SCSChauffuers says airports may have a ‘big city’ name even if it is not actually based there. This is because the airport is meant to be the main hub for people flying to and from that whole metropolitan area, even if it’s technically located in a nearby suburb or town.
The firm explains: “Think of it like this: it’s the city’s airport, even if it’s a little outside the city limits. This makes things easier for travellers and helps with name recognition, especially when there’s only one major airport serving a large area. It is a little bit of creative licence, but it also allows travellers to enjoy much cheaper flights to their favourite destinations.”
SCS Chauffeurs recommends that Ryanair and Wizz Air passengers avoid the following airports when heading abroad for a day trip or short weekend away, as they have long transfer times that will eat into your holiday, plus you’ll have to pay extra transfer costs.
Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (HHN) – 126 km (78 miles) (closer to Luxembourg)
- Transfer time: 1 hour 45 minutes to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (central station).
- Transfer cost: €18.99 (can vary by company and booking time).
- Airlines: Primarily Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Oslo-Torp Airport (TRF) – 110 km (68 miles) southwest of Oslo.
- Transfer time: The train to Oslo Central Station takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Transfer cost: £14-21 each way
- Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other airlines.
Memmingen Airport (FMM) (Often Marketed as “Munich West”) – 116 km (72 miles)
- Transfer time 1 hour 30 minutes to Munich Central Station (ZOB).
- Transfer cost: £12.50-£18.
- Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, and some other smaller airlines.
Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) – 100 km (62 miles) south of Stockholm.
- Transfer time 1 hour 20 minutes tTransfer Cost:
- Transfer cost: £12-16.
- Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other budget airlines.
Barcelona-Reus Airport (REU) – 100 km (62 miles) southwest of Barcelona.
- Transfer time 1 hour 30 minutes
- Transfer cost: Around £12-16.
- Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other airlines during tourist season.
Paris–Beauvais Airport (BVA) – 85 km (53 miles.
- Transfer time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Transfer cost: £14-16.
- Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other budget airlines.
Düsseldorf-Weeze Airport (NRN) – Approximately 80 km (50 miles) – on the border with Holland
- Transfer time: 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Transfer cost: £12-16.
- Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other budget airlines.
Travel expert Hadleigh Diamond, director of airport transfer company SCS Chauffeurs said: “Many budget airlines use major destinations in airport names that are actually 100s of miles away from the actual destination, leaving travellers working out how to get an airport transfer to the real destination.
“They do have benefits, however, offering cheap flights to major destinations, as long as you’re able to plan your airport transfer effectively, especially by pre-booking if it’s a late night flight.”