Nope. Makes them seem a little less low-cost, doesn't it?

While you're at it, take a note of which airports they use, and see if the costs to get into town are the same/less/more as the "high cost" airlines.

Maybe you should ask yourself WHY there is "no way" you would be able to fit into carryon sized bags. How long will you be gone? Many people pack for 2 to 3 week trips using just a carry on bag.

I pack for six weeks using just a carry on bag.

How to avoid low cost European airlines baggage fees

How would you avoid low cost American / Australian / Far Eastern airlines baggage fees?

If you don't mind looking like a total prat you could always consider a Scottvest.

Then again you might want to ask yourself

1) why you need so much luggage
2) why you need to fly a lot when in Europe

"There is no way we would be able to fit into carryon sized bags"

Many people do . . .

"Is there a way around them?

Yes - take trains . . .

Of course there's no way "around them". But seriously, you've got all the answers already above:
1) take train, bus or rent a car
2) pack carryon only
3) pay the fees

put on a large coat with multiple pockets and wear everything you can!

Packing carry-on only is often not the answer, as many discount airlines have a weight limit that is far less than the typical carry-on.

You could always pack your excesses and mail them ahead, but they may or may not arrive in time.

I think a train is often the best option. It is more comfortable, more scenic, and often faster when you consider how much time it takes to get to and on a flight. For a long leg (recall that Europe is more compact, so many legs are short), I would look for a full-service airline.

I paid a total of 97 euros, for TWO adult tickets to fly from Barcelona to Paris on Easyjet. That included checking one bag each, and all taxes. So sorry, don't see how that was expensive.
We flew from Nice to Barcelona on Vueling, and the checked bag I paid for cost me 11 euros ,, sorry, considering I only paid less then 40 euros for my ticket I sure don't think I got ripped off there either.

Where it DOES get expensive is when you go over the weight allowence , on Vueling you can pay between 11-25 euros for checked luggage up to 23 kg.. after that its 10 euros a kg,, now that would hurt!

Where it DOES get expensive is when you go over the weight allowence

Or you are the sort of person who thinks that when the airline says one piece of hand luggage they actually mean several pieces, or the sort of person who when told you must check-in online and print off the boarding card then doesn't.

Anyhow - any excuse to publish the standard text on low costs airlines and their fees

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAg0lUYHHFc

The carry on size for an airline like Easy Jet or Ryan air is ridiculous-no purse,no laptop,etc. without it going in your carry on bag which is supposed to be the size of a postage stamp.
And yes, I am a flight attendant with a major US international airline and complain about the crap that people bring on my flights all the time!

One big chunk of those airline's business is people going away for a party weekend in Berlin or Barcelona, three days sigtseeing in London, commuting between home and work (as far as Eastern Europe/ British Isles) or going for a week in the sun in Southern Spain.
None of these activities require a lot of luggage and you see the majority of passengers doing it with those small carry-ons.
The problems of a world jetsetter away on a 6 week vacation who needs either a big carry-on or a checked suitcase no not exactly touch the core business of those airlines.
Especially Ryanair's bag fees are hilarious in high season to many destinations. But otoh I don't know if something like an extra €25-40 for a checked bag is that relevant when you fly 1-2K kms and compare options, like outrageuos one-way fares for legacy airlines, costs for gas (40 euros will buy you half a tank) or an overnight train in high season. It can be cheaper and comparing full prices (incl. Travel to/from low budget airports) is always a must, though.

The carry on size for an airline like Easy Jet or Ryan air is ridiculous-no purse,no laptop,etc. without it going in your carry on bag which is supposed to be the size of a postage stamp.

EasyJet's size is 56x45x25cm with no weight limit which makes it more generous than most legacy airlines outside the US let alone among the low costs.

Guess it shows why people choose not to fly with major US international airlines.

AlanRow that U Tube link for 'Cheap Flights' was hilarious. Thank you so much for posting it.