To get to Cornwall and Norway in April 19-May 3, my cheapest option seems to be: Buy 2 round-trip tix. Chicago-London (~$800.00), round trip London to Oslo and then back (~$150.00 total), then London- Chicago. I hope to have a trim 22" carryon (not bulging), and then either a day pack backpack or a 2500 cu. in backpack. I know the airports I will be flying into are not all the same or main ones, but I think I can handle it and plan for time. I'll be getting the train SW from London to Cornwall and back, go to Norway, and back to London. The only more critical connection is Oslo back to London to fly out to the US again. Not sure it Ryanair is good choice. Alternatively, the flight itinerary would be Chicago-London London-Oslo (Ryanair), and then Oslo-Chicago (not sure of carrier.) There is an attractive overnight direct flight on British Airways just under 8 hours from OHare to London, arriving before 10am the next day which sounds pretty nice. I hate long flights and many seem to be 12 or 14 hours travel time total.
The 3-leg flight is probably a few hundred dollars more, but reduce # of Ryanair flights and avoid a Ryanair connection right before leaving Europe and possible luggage concerns. I would appreciate input on Ryanair (they are cheap!), such as luggage problems, cancellations, etc., and possible alternative carriers to or within Europe. (To and from Chicago or Milwaukee) (London-Oslo). Thanks!
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Sarah - be aware that Ryanair does not use Heathrow, so that when you return to London from Oslo, you will have to transport yourself between airports there in order to catch your flight home. Be sure to allow yourself enough time between flights so that you can do this. Also, Ryanair does not use Oslo International. They fly into Rygge, which is 60 kilometers from Oslo. Ryanair also has hefty excess baggage fees, if your checked bags exceed their weight limits. The upside is that Ryanair will undoubtedly be the cheapest way to get from London to Oslo.
Posted by
Phoenix, Az, USA
17 posts
I had a very bad experience with Ryanair in terms of incredibly excessive luggage fees.My wife and i were traveling to Liverpool from Dublin.When we checked our luggages, they charged us almost $200.00 just for two regular pieces of luggages.We almost fainted.The tickets are really cheap, but our savings margin was destroyed.Ryanair is basically a shuttle service so if you have to use them make sure your luggage is small enough to carry it on your shoulders.A couple of days ago, my wife and i were watching the news and it turns out that Ryanair had a "chaos" with unruly passengers who were complaining about luggage fees, so my wife and i felt that we were not alone.And dont try calling them on the phone for questions or changes.They just dont answer the phone.Good trip!
Posted by
OP
Milwaukee, WI
22 posts
Thank you both for your input. I was able to purchase a ticket with British Airways to London, Olso, and back to Chicago with good arrival and departure times to take the trains I need, for a decent price. Is sounds best that I not take Ryanair, unless I take a little side trip with a small backpack! I appreciate the information very much.
Posted by
Boscombe, Dorset, UK
964 posts
Having taken many flights with Ryanair (with checked luggage), I'd just like to say that while they do charge for everything, they also do tell you when you buy your ticket. It's quite clear on the website that you pay in advance for checked luggage. They also tell you that if you don't pay in advance, it will be hugely more expensive when you check in. Ryanair provides a cheap way to travel. But as has been said before on here, you HAVE to read what they tell you. They also tell you how far the airport is from the city and what transport is available into the city. As for reliability, they are no worse than any of the other (many) airlines I've flown with. Have a great trip!
Posted by
London
291 posts
My message is similar to the above. Ryanair is a much maligned carrier where it is fashionable to critiscise them on boards like this. Ryanair are more punctual and lose much less baggage than British Airways and use more modern aircraft, nor do their staff threaten strike action like BA every few months. Its a bit like McDonald's, its very fashionable to run down their quality of food but people's actions are something totally different Ryanair flies more people in Europe than any other carrier but according to boards such as this everybody says they would never fly with them. The problem I guess with most North Americans using Ryanair are issues more to being from a different culture and finding it strange that what is the norm in the US is not elsewhere.
Like air conditioning in hotels where Europeans don't see that as a high priority for a hotel, European's see anthing more than 20kg (44 1bs) as totally unnecessary and look in amazement at North American's burdened down with so much luggage. If you read what Ryanair offers on the web site you should be fine, just make out you've never flown before and don't assume things are like back home.. Just be aware of what they really offer before you buy a ticket. As said before Ryanair fly from London Stansted, BA from Heathrow its over an hours journey on a good day and the equivalent of about $US35 on the transfer bus.