Ryanair check-in

Sarsfield

For the first time in years I'm slumming it and taking Ryanair to Gatwick on Monday morning. I'm on a day-return and will only have hand luggage.

Questions:

As far as I know there's no self service check-in. How horrific/chaotic is the queue at the check-in desks?
How early should I arrive at the airport for an 08:15 departure?
Will they check me in for the evening return flight (like proper airlines do )

BuffyBot

I would recommend being there 2 hours beforehand - 06.15. Certainly no later than 40 minutes as they'll shut the check-in for that flight and it's tough look from there on in. As for return check in, I don't think they offer that option.

tdavfc

Hi,

They dont have self-service check-in yet.. Queues are not normally too bad as they have to open enough checkin desks to handle the crowd or the Airport fines them. You should get to the Airport at least 90 minutes before your flight. Dont think they will let you book for your evening flight cause they dont allocate seat number's. It's usually extra busy on a Monday morning and could take a while to get through the Security Checks so after you checkin go straight through Security (Where you will be asked to take off your Belt, Shoes....). There is plenty of shops and restaurants when you go pass Security.

Enjoy
TD....

Metrobest

In general with Ryanair I find that the closer to check-in deadline, the smaller the queue. When it gets to about 45 minutes before departure there might be nobody in front of you.

There's no point checking in early with Ryanair - no seat allocation, and the boarding system is anarchy.

otron

Agreed on the late boarding thing generally. I find that arriving either very early or quite late is the best way to avoid the queues.

Having said that, it would be madness to check in 45 minutes before an 8:15am Monday flight imo ... security is no fun at that time of the morning. I would leave approx 15 mins (at best) to get through security.

I'd check in an hour before at the latest.. Ryanair frequently really do start the boarding 30 minutes before departure.

Stark

Nope no return checkin option. Check in times aren't that bad, 2 hours and you'll be very safe.

otron wrote:

Ryanair frequently really do start the boarding 30 minutes before departure.

They have been slipping though. It really annoys me as I hate having to put up with drifters squeezing past you for ages after you've taken your seat.

Sarsfield

No change from last time then It's so much easier with Aer Lingus. Self service check-in is the dogs dangly-bits. But for 1c each way (and only booked last week) I can't complain - yet .

luckat

I could be wrong, but I think you can check in online with Ryanair.

Sarsfield

luckat wrote:

I could be wrong, but I think you can check in online with Ryanair.

I heard a rumour it's in the pipeline, but no hard facts. (Edit: it was in all the papers around last November, and MO'L suggested it's coming in the next few months)

Out of interest, are all the old -200s gone since the end of 2005?

LegacyUser

i get ryan air to london quite a bit, 1 hour before check in is grand.

no return check in, they make more money on people missing there flights, like when the stansted express is arsing about.

shouldn't be too bad at that time either.

parsi

No return checkin more likely because they use a fairly paper based system so can't give out boarding passes in a different airport to the one the flight is departing from..

BuffyBot

Yes, I believe the old -200's are now gone.

ferale

So basically, Ryanair suc*'s......

Sarsfield

ferale wrote:

So basically, Ryanair suc*'s......

But I got flights for 0.01 each way (approx €50 incl tax/CC charge etc) with less than 2 weeks notice. The alternative was €100 with Aer Lingus to LHR. I'm not sure yet if I made the right choice!