The true cost of a budget flight

The advertised fare is not enough to compare a budget flight with a train, coach or another airline. Start with the exact fare for your date, then add every cost needed to make that ticket usable.

Build the cash total

Add baggage for the fare you selected, not the airline's most generous allowance. A small personal item may be included while a larger cabin bag costs extra. Check the outside measurements, including any wheels and fixed handles.

Then add paid seats, check-in charges that apply to your booking method, card or currency fees, and transport to and from the airports. Food can matter on a long airport day. If an early departure creates an extra hotel night, include it as well.

Use the Trip Cost Check to keep these amounts visible. It does not estimate a fee that you leave blank.

Compare the time you will spend

Door-to-door time starts when you leave for the airport and ends when you reach the final address. Include the airport journey, recommended arrival buffer, security, boarding, flight, immigration or baggage collection, and the last transfer.

A cheaper ticket may still be the sensible choice. The point is to see the tradeoff. Record the cash saving beside the extra time rather than treating one number as the whole answer.

Check again before payment

Open the airline's own baggage and check-in pages for the exact fare product. Rules may differ by route, booking date or add-on. Take a screenshot of the final basket so you can compare the price actually offered, not the first search-result price.