Hand baggage only - what's the advantage?

Birdy

Going with Ryanair to Barcelona.

All taking hand baggage only, so up to 10K weight allowed.

Have requested online check in to save money, but where can the online check in be done from Barcelona?

Going for 4 nights, so what is the earliest it can be done for outgoing and incoming flights?

So if checking in online, when can we turn up at airport before flight, and what's the procedure in UK and Barcelona (Girona)?

Never done online check in before, only ever qeued up with hold baggage.

Any advise much appreciated.

B.

MrSmartprice

We have just come back from Barcelona, and we did 4 nights on cabin baggage too. We didn't check in online though, as we flew BmiBaby and the facility isn't available yet with them.

When returning, all you need to check in is an internet facility that can print for you. Internet cafes should do this, (I saw one in Barca charging 1euro an hour!) And some hotels have free internet access in the lobby, which may be able to print your boarding pass. I think Ryanair allow you to check in 48hrs in advance.

Incidentally, a BIG money saving tip for Barcelona: The Aerobus transfer from the airport to the centre is now e4.05 per person, each way. But there is also a normal bus service that goes to and from Placa Espanya, No.46, which costs a normal fare, e1.30. It leaves from outside the terminal, just turn right from the arrivals hall. From Placa Espanya you can get the metro to wherever you are staying.

It gets better though. Get a T-10 ticket which is valid on all buses and metros. It gives 10 journeys for e7.20, and you can use it on the 46, so it means you pay e0.72 instead of e4.05. If there are 2 of you, all you do at each journey is validate it twice, you don't have to buy separate tickets. Also, if you have used the metro on your ticket, you can continue your journey on a bus as long as you do it all within 75 minutes, without validating it again.

Have a great time in Barcelona, we did.

Edit to say I just noticed you were doing Girona, not BCN.:o The T-10 tip will save you money though.

ynot2005

since the website upgrade you can check in online up to 5 days, so you should be able to check in for both outbound and inbound at the same time, or you use an internet cafe in spain and print off the boarding card there

its very easy you dont go to a check in desk and proceed past security and get priority boarding at the gate, watch your hand luggage sizes because its going to cost you if you have to put an oversize hand luggage in the hold, the check n go system works exactly the same in spain as it does here

i personally arrive at any airport i use 2 hours before, wether its check n go or normal check in system, waiting at home and trying to arrive as late as possible is a recipe for getting stressed out , travellers running and pannicking cos they think they are going to miss their flight is very common.

Tojo_Ralph

...
FYI ...... Ryanair have a rather comprehensive FAQs page.

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?culture=GB&pos=HEAD

alanrowell

Hand baggage only - what's the advantage?

It's cheaper - no airport check-in fee, no baggage fee
The airline can't lose your luggage
You get out of the airport quicker

Disadvantage

Ryanair will ensure that your bag meets the rules - if it doesn't they make you check it and make you pay for it.

You have to read the rules on what is acceptable and not acceptable in hand luggage - so no sharp objects or liquids > 100ml

franklally

We travelled with just hand luggage at the weekend and it was very straightforward - I checked in online so just went straight to the security gate - then to the front of the check 'n go priority boarding queue (which you get automatically with online check in) - then no wait for baggage at the other end.
I'd thoroughly recommend it.

martindow

There is a drawback to priority boarding when a bus is used to take you to the plane. You go through the gate first and then tend being last off the bus.