5.09 · Is Cheap Travel Really Cheap?

Is Cheap Travel Really Cheap?

Budget airlines have made flights across Europe very cheap, and millions of people now use them. But the price on the screen is often not the price you pay. Many of these airlines charge extra for a checked bag, for a seat next to a friend and for a larger carry-on bag. Each of these fees looks small. Together, though, they can change the price a lot.

The airport can add to the cost, too. Paris Beauvais, for example, is about 70 kilometers from Paris, and the bus ride takes more than an hour. A traveler saves money on the flight but spends time and money on the transfer.

None of this means that budget flights are a bad choice. For many people, they are the only way to travel, and the savings can be considerable. A smart traveler looks at the total: the ticket, bags, seats and transfer. That is the number that matters.