Hi Fodorites,
I can't believe the prices in RyanAir. One-way trip fr Rome to Paris for 0.01 Euro, the higher being 24 Euro? The Paris to Madrid flight is around the same. I assume this does not include the fees and taxes yet. This is incredibly cheap. What's the catch? Is this reliable? Will I be staying in the cargo area of the plane? Dear Fodorites, please give me warning if something's fishy! Thanks!

Hi Calico - The 'catch' is they fly into/ out of Beauvais, not Paris.

Oh - and they charge you for baggage.

See www.ryanair.com for terms/conditions/add-ons.

Apart from that, there's no catch.

Ryanair are currently about the 5th biggest airline in Europe.

Steve

For other budget airlines with better airport location (Paris Orly instead of BVA)look at www.whichbudget.com

Most offer a connecting bus to the cities such BVA to Paris on www.terravision.eu

For finding flights between two points, I prefer http://www.flylc.com/directall-en.asp

To that 24.01 Euro total they will add about 50 Euro in taxes and charges, then another 6 Euro for each bag, also depending on whether you use a credit card or which debit, they add on about another 3-5 Euro.
The total is looking like 70-100 Euro.

And then you have to get to the out-of town airports, add on another 20 ish.
Topping that, the seats are about as comfortable as those on an old greyhound coach.

although.. it is currently upholding its image as "the ontime airline"...
i would click through the payment options and see how much the total actually is.

I have never seen 50 euro added in taxes on Ryanair The 0.01 euro turns into 27 euro for a round trip to Stansted from Valencia (the highest taxes I've found on ryanair are for Stansted). Then yes, you have to add the baggage you are going to check in.
The catch is that you are not the first to notice they are cheap..so there are usually long lines for check in and not many desks open

Note that EasyJet flies Rome-Paris also, but goes to a much closer airport - Paris Orly. Also, EasyJet has a reputation for being a little bit nicer than Ryanair. EasyJet also allows a bit more luggage than Ryanair, but it's all a matter of planning to ensure you do not have overweight luggage.

Check www.whichbudget.com to get various routes on various low-cost carriers.

Keeping notes...

Thanks a lot everyone!

50 euro is for both ways
try vueling.com, similar to jetblue and always show the total price upfront. great value.

Yes, I was talking of a round trip..so both ways
Anyway, one has to go shopping through the airlines websites and do a bit of maths before buying to find the cheapest and better options for each trip. Each trip has its own particularities

that's what i mean- there is usually about 25 euro+ (ive seen 35+) added on each way to the original 0.01-24 Euro fare.
which is about 50 euro added on to the total (already 24 + 0.01)
plus your baggage charges, credit card charges. etc. etc. rarely ever the total is the original "bargain" you think you've found.

although i still have to use them at times

Just like me, in Valencia we don't have too many options ! Now, Ryanair has decided Valencia to be one of their hubs in Spain...so we have flights with them to 15 destinations..and in most of them they have no competitors so...we'd better have lots of patience !! LOL