Some of My Favourite Budget Airlines

People continue to tell me about how they think travel is expensive and I constantly get asked how I can afford to travel. The answer always remains the same – it is cheaper to travel than it is to stay in the same place. I have no regular bills, rent contracts or permanent payments going out.

Along the way, we learn how to save money in different aspects of travel. This includes booking budget airlines. You can start by checking out the online guide to booking low cost airlines. It’s easier than you would think to save money on flights. For a start, be flexible with your flight times. Early morning flights can save you a night’s accommodation if you sleep in the airport. Long haul night flights do the same. Here are five of my favourite budget airlines from my journeys.

1.Ryanair
The Irish company Ryanair are the pioneers in budget flights. With a no frills approach, you get flights for really really cheap. I flew to Budapest for £1 in 2009, and last year I paid £30 for a flight from Montenegro to Stansted. They are the ultimate backpacker cheapskate airline, even the safety manual is a sticker on the back of your tray, and you don’t get a holder for magazines on your seat. But you do get a very cheap and pleasant flight!

2.Easyjet
Easyjet continue to rival Ryanair, though they are not quite as cheap. I have been using Easyjet for my travels in Europe for over 12 years now, I seem to remember the first flight of theirs I took was Belfast Aldergrove to London Luton around 2002. They also have their own hotel group now as well, though I have yet to stay in one of theirs.

3.Hong Kong Airlines
Having based myself out in the Kong, I got to know my Asian cheap carriers very well. My favourite by far is Hong Kong Airlines, as they even include food. They fly to many parts of China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

4.Transavia
When I was backpacking in Iraq in 2014, I first came across Transavia, a low cost flier who had just opened a new route from Iraq to the Netherlands. I booked myself on board for a cheap price and was one of the first passengers to try this new route from Erbil to Amsterdam. They’re a Dutch company and I really liked travelling with them.

5.Vueling
I’m putting Vueling at the bottom of this list as I don’t like them, but I know other fellow travellers love them so you’ll want them to feature. I personally don’t use Vueling anymore and they were lucky not to make my shitlist! They lost my bag before and refused to pay me a cent for it, so I won’t fly with them again, but they are cheap and they do cover many destinations.

As I read a book on Micronations and ponder more wacky adventures, I’ll be sure to jump on a cheap ass Ryanair flight soon I reckon!