Ryanair with Kids: Our Honest Family Review & Essential Family Travel Tips

Last Updated on August 11, 2026 by Ina Geißler

Flying with children doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, some of our best-value family trips have started with a Ryanair flight. Like many parents, we were a little skeptical before booking our first Ryanair with kids trip. Would the strict baggage rules make traveling stressful? Would we end up paying lots of hidden fees? And would such a low-cost airline really be suitable for a family?

After flying Ryanair with children several times, we can honestly say that the airline exceeded our expectations. It’s certainly a no-frills experience, but if you understand the baggage rules and know what to expect before you book, Ryanair can be an excellent choice for families looking to travel on a budget.

In this guide or Ryanair review, we’ll share our own experience, explain how Ryanair family seating works, cover baggage rules for children, and help you avoid the most common mistakes that can turn a cheap flight into an expensive one.

Why trust MutterGeisslein?
At MutterGeisslein, every travel guide and airline review is based on our own family’s experiences. As a mom of four, I’ve flown with babies, toddlers, school-aged children and teenagers on airlines across Europe and beyond. Rather than repeating information from airline websites, I combine practical travel experience with careful research to help families make informed decisions before they book. Find our family travel guides here.

Ryanair with kids at a glance

Airline	Ryanair
Headquarters	Dublin, Ireland
Fleet	Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 (“Gamechanger”)
Route network	Europe, North Africa and selected Middle East destinations
Family-friendly	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Family seating	Children under 12 are seated with an adult in the booking
Infant equipment	Two baby items free of charge
Meals	Buy on board
In-flight entertainment	None
Carry-on baggage	Depends on fare and purchased options
Best for	Budget-conscious families on short-haul flights

Is Ryanair good for families?

Before our first family flight with Ryanair, we weren’t entirely convinced. Like many people, we associated the airline with strict baggage rules, countless optional extras and very basic service.

Our first trip came about almost by accident. We had planned a family holiday to Albania and initially booked a very inexpensive outbound flight with another airline. By the time we were ready to book the return journey, those fares had disappeared. Instead, we found an affordable Ryanair flight from Tirana to Vienna, and decided the short drive home from Austria was well worth the savings.

The total price for one adult and four children came to just €260, with only €10 spent on seat selection. At first glance, that sounded almost too good to be true—but as you’ll see throughout this guide, there was a good reason why we only paid for one reserved seat.

By the end of the trip, Ryanair had completely changed our expectations. While the airline doesn’t offer luxury or premium service, we found it surprisingly well suited to family travel—as long as you understand the rules before you fly.

-> Unsure where to travel with Ryanair? Check out our favorite travel destinations for families!

Ryanair family seating with kids

One of the biggest concerns parents have before booking Ryanair with kids is whether the family will actually be seated together.

-> The good news is that Ryanair’s family seating policy is much more family-friendly than many people expect.

Do you have to pay for seat selection?

This was one of our biggest questions before booking.

For our flight from Tirana to Vienna, we paid for just one reserved seat, which cost €10. At first glance, that might sound risky for a family of five—but it turned out to be one of the best surprises of the entire trip.

Ryanair requires that children under the age of 12 sit next to a responsible adult. Because of this policy, reserving just one adult seat automatically ensured that all of our younger children were assigned seats nearby without paying for additional seat reservations.

For us, that meant spending only €10 instead of paying to reserve seats for the whole family.

-> Unsure how to survive the flight with kids? Check out what really works when flying with kids.

Our experience on board

We were all seated together without any issues. Interestingly, the cabin crew took the seating policy very seriously. Our oldest daughter, who was already 14 at the time, wasn’t allowed to swap seats with me because the younger children had to remain seated next to their parent throughout the flight.

That was actually reassuring to see. It showed that Ryanair doesn’t simply advertise a family seating policy—it actively enforces it.

It’s worth mentioning that our flight was operated by Lauda Europe on behalf of Ryanair. However, we’ve had similar experiences on Ryanair-operated flights as well, so this doesn’t appear to be an exception.

-> How family-friendly are low-cost airlines? Also check out this Wizz Air with kids review.

Should families pay for seat selection before flying Ryanair with kids?

If you’re traveling with children under 12, we’d recommend reading Ryanair’s current family seating policy before booking—but based on our own experience, there’s usually no need to reserve seats for every family member as long as Ryanair family seating is available (check during the booking process). For us, Ryanair’s approach was one of the biggest positive surprises and made family travel significantly more affordable.

-> Follow Europetravelwithkids on Instagram

Flying Ryanair with a Baby or Toddler

If you’re flying Ryanair with a baby or toddler, there are a few additional rules worth knowing before you book. Children under the age of two travel as infants and sit on an accompanying adult’s lap. They don’t have their own seat unless you purchase a separate child fare.

One benefit many parents don’t realize is that each infant is allowed one small baby bag weighing up to 5 kg (11 lbs). This bag can contain essentials such as nappies, baby food, spare clothes and other items you’ll need during the flight.

If you’re preparing a bottle on board, the cabin crew can warm baby milk for you. However, baby food or purées generally can’t be heated, so it’s worth planning ahead if your child prefers warm meals.

Ryanair aircraft are also equipped with changing tables in the lavatories, making diaper changes possible even on longer flights.

Ryanair baggage for families

One of the biggest reasons people think Ryanair with kids is stressful is the baggage policy. In reality, the rules are easy to manage—as long as you know them before arriving at the airport.

Ryanair carry-on baggage

The amount of cabin baggage you can bring depends on the fare you’ve booked and whether you’ve added extras such as Priority Boarding.

Because Ryanair’s baggage rules are strictly enforced, we always recommend measuring your bags before leaving home. Even regular-sized backpacks can exceed the permitted dimensions, and oversized luggage can become expensive at the gate.

Before booking, it’s worth comparing the cost of Priority Boarding with an extra cabin bag against purchasing one larger checked suitcase for the whole family. Depending on how many people are traveling, one option may work out significantly cheaper than the other.

Ryanair checked baggage

If your family needs more luggage, booking checked baggage during the initial reservation is usually much cheaper than adding it later. For short family trips, however, we’ve often found that traveling with hand luggage only is perfectly manageable—and it keeps both costs and waiting times to a minimum.

-> Find all our tips for air travel with kids here

Ryanair strollers and car seats

One of the things we genuinely appreciate about Ryanair with kids is the generous policy for baby equipment.

For every child, Ryanair allows you to carry two pieces of baby equipment free of charge. This can include items such as a:

• stroller
• buggy
• travel cot or
• child car seat,

…making it much easier to travel with young children without adding extra costs.

In most airports, you’ll check these items in at the bag drop before continuing to the gate. Depending on the airport, you may then be able to use your stroller until boarding. After landing, baby equipment is usually returned either at the aircraft door or at the baggage reclaim area, so it’s always worth asking the ground staff before your flight.

For families renting a car at their destination, bringing your own child car seat can be a great way to save money while ensuring your child travels in a seat they already know and trust.

One detail that’s often overlooked is that this benefit isn’t limited to babies or toddlers. Even if your child is older, you can still bring a child car seat free of charge for use in your rental car at your destination.

Using a car seat on Ryanair with kids

If you’d like your child to travel in their own car seat on board, you’ll need to book a separate seat for them.

The car seat must be approved for use on aircraft and fit within Ryanair’s size requirements. Before you travel, check that it carries the appropriate certification label, as not every child seat sold in Europe is approved for use on airplanes.

For many families, especially those traveling with babies or younger toddlers, using a familiar car seat can make the flight much more comfortable and help children settle more easily.

Ryanair airports: Don’t assume you’ll land in the city

One thing that’s worth checking before booking Ryanair with kids is the airport itself. To keep ticket prices low, Ryanair often flies to secondary airports instead of the main airport serving a city. These airports usually have lower operating fees, allowing the airline to offer significantly cheaper fares.

Sometimes this makes very little difference. For example, destinations such as Tirana or Vienna are served via their main international airports.

In other cases, however, the airport can be much farther away than you might expect.

• If you’re flying to London, for example, your flight may arrive at London Luton, London Stansted or London Southend rather than Heathrow.
• Likewise, travelers heading to Munich often fly into Memmingen Airport, which is around 120 km (75 miles) from Munich city center.

Before booking, always check which airport Ryanair uses and how you’ll reach your final destination. A longer transfer isn’t necessarily a problem, but it’s something you’ll want to factor into your travel time, transport costs and, if you’re traveling with children, your overall journey.

Is Ryanair safe?

Every now and then, headlines about emergency landings or technical incidents make people question whether Ryanair is safe.

The reality is reassuring. Like every airline operating within the European Union, Ryanair must comply with strict European aviation safety regulations. Aircraft are maintained according to rigorous standards, crews undergo regular training and every aircraft type is certified under the same safety requirements as other European airlines.

Although individual incidents naturally receive media attention, commercial aviation remains one of the safest ways to travel, and Ryanair is no exception.

How to avoid hidden Ryanair fees

One of the biggest reasons people think Ryanair is expensive is that the advertised ticket price often doesn’t include optional extras. The good news is that most additional fees are completely avoidable if you know what to look out for.

Here are the strategies we use before every Ryanair booking:

• Only pay for the baggage you actually need. Depending on the length of your trip, one checked suitcase for the whole family may be cheaper than buying Priority Boarding for everyone.
• Check your baggage dimensions carefully. Ryanair is known for strictly enforcing its cabin baggage rules, and oversized bags can become expensive at the airport.
• Check in online. Airport check-in comes with significant additional charges, so make sure you’ve completed online check-in before leaving for the airport.
• Think carefully about seat selection. Families with children under 12 are generally seated together, so reserving seats for everyone isn’t always necessary.
• Review optional extras before paying. During the booking process, Ryanair offers services such as travel insurance, car hire and airport transfers. Take a moment to remove anything you don’t actually need.

One habit that’s saved us money more than once is comparing the cost of Priority Boarding with a larger cabin bag against checking one suitcase for the whole family. Depending on the trip, either option can be the better value.

Common Ryanair mistakes to avoid

Most first-time Ryanair passengers don’t overspend because the tickets are expensive. They overspend because they make one or two simple mistakes.

Here are the most common ones:

• Not measuring your hand luggage before leaving home.
• Forgetting to check in online, which can result in expensive airport check-in fees.
• Accepting optional extras during booking without checking whether you really need them.
• Arriving at the gate too late. Ryanair is known for punctual boarding and gates usually close exactly as scheduled.
• Not checking passport, visa or entry requirements before departure, especially when traveling outside the Schengen Area.
• Misunderstanding the baggage rules for babies and children. Family allowances differ from standard adult baggage rules, so it’s worth checking them before your trip.

A few minutes of preparation before booking can easily save you far more than choosing the cheapest ticket in the first place.

More airline reviews

Still comparing airlines before booking your next family trip?

Over the years, we’ve flown with many different airlines as a family of six and share honest, experience-based reviews to help other parents choose the best option for their trip.

You might also enjoy these guides:

• American Airlines with kids: Our honest review after years of flying between Europe and North America, including domestic and long-haul flights.
• Singapore Airlines with kids: What it’s really like to fly one of the world’s best-rated airlines with children.
• Iberia with kids: Everything you need to know about family seating, entertainment, meals and long-haul flights.
• TUI Airways with kids: Our honest review after a 6.5-hour family flight to Cape Verde.

Is Ryanair with Kids Worth It?

After flying Ryanair with kids several times, we’d happily book the airline again. Ryanair isn’t designed to be a premium airline, and that’s perfectly fine. Instead, it offers something many families are looking for: very affordable flights to destinations all across Europe.

If you understand the baggage rules, know how the family seating policy works and avoid unnecessary extras, Ryanair can offer outstanding value for money. In fact, one of the biggest surprises for us was just how family-friendly the airline turned out to be despite its no-frills reputation.

For short-haul trips, city breaks and family holidays, we wouldn’t hesitate to fly Ryanair with children again.

Who is Ryanair best for?

Ryanair with kids is a great choice if you are:

✓ Traveling on a budget

✓ Planning a short-haul family holiday

✓ Happy to travel light

✓ Looking for the lowest fares across Europe

You may prefer another airline if you:

✓ Want meals included in your ticket

✓ Expect seatback entertainment

✓ Prefer a premium onboard experience

Frequently Asked Questions about Ryanair with Kids

Is Ryanair good for families?

Yes. Based on our experience, Ryanair with kids can be an excellent choice for families, especially on short-haul flights. If you understand the baggage rules and avoid unnecessary extras, it’s one of the best-value airlines in Europe.

Do children sit next to their parents on Ryanair?

Yes. Children under 12 are seated with a responsible adult from the same booking. In our experience, we only paid for one adult seat reservation, and all younger children were automatically assigned seats next to us.

Do you have to pay for seat selection on Ryanair?

Not necessarily. If you’re traveling with children under 12, Ryanair’s family seating policy means you usually don’t need to reserve seats for every family member.

Can you bring a stroller on Ryanair?

Yes. Ryanair allows two pieces of baby equipment per child free of charge. This can include a stroller, buggy, travel cot or child car seat.

Can older children bring a car seat on Ryanair?

Yes, a child car seat can also be transported free of charge for older children, making it a great option if you’re renting a car at your destination.

Can you use a car seat on board?

Yes, provided you’ve booked a separate seat for your child and the car seat is approved for aircraft use and meets Ryanair’s size requirements.

Does Ryanair have in-flight entertainment?

No. Ryanair aircraft don’t have seatback entertainment systems, so we’d recommend downloading movies, games or TV shows before your flight.

Are meals included on Ryanair?

No. Food and drinks can be purchased on board, but they’re not included in the ticket price. Do bring snacks when flying Ryanair with kids.

Is Ryanair safe?

Yes, Ryanair complies with the same strict European aviation safety regulations as every other airline operating within the EU. Commercial aviation remains one of the safest ways to travel.

What is the biggest mistake families make when flying Ryanair?

In our opinion, it’s not checking the baggage rules before leaving for the airport. Oversized cabin bags are one of the most common reasons passengers end up paying unexpected fees.

Would we fly Ryanair with kids again?

Absolutely. We’ve now flown Ryanair with children several times, and every trip has confirmed the same impression: if you know what to expect, Ryanair offers excellent value for money and can be a surprisingly family-friendly airline.