Ryanair: Florence to Nottingham

The carrier: Ryanair

About

The big daddy of them all, Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair maintains the most awe-inspiring route map and tends to add new destinations (and cancel unprofitable routes) at blistering, breakneck speed. Founded in 1985, Ryanair was Europe's original low fares airline and is still Europe's largest low fares carrier. At current count, Ryanair operates well over 1000 routes, from Inverness to Brindisi; Tampere to Tenerife.

It's easy to have lots of opinions about Ryanair; we certainly do. It's a big monster of an airline. We've been pleased as punch on Ryanair, psyched to take advantage of insanely cheap fares, and we've also been annoyed beyond belief with the airline, distressed by enormous surcharges on too-heavy luggage and staff who appear to be completely clueless.

With Ryanair more than with the other airlines we describe here, it pays to be informed about potential penalties and pitfalls.

Upside

Massive number of destinations. Really cheap fares.

Downside

Numerous extra charges when booking. Customer care isn't a priority. Food prices on board very steep.

Baggage

* Carry-on: One piece of luggage not to exceed 10 kg.
* Checked: Up to 3 bags with a combined weight of 15 kg. If booked on-line using Ryanair, the first bag is €15 and the second and third bags are €20 each. Over 15 kg, €15 per kg at the airport. Please note that Ryanair increases the price by €5 in July and August. 

* Please visit Ryanair’s website for more information on its baggage policy.

Seating

Since Ryanair is free for all when it comes to landing seats, it can sometimes be worth it to pay the €5 for priority boarding. In advance, book priority boarding status online, if you hold an EU passport.

Check-in and Ticketing

If you check in at the airport, you will also incur a €5 fee. The fee is €10 at the airport.  Note that American passengers can only check in at the airport.  Online check-in is available from 15 days to 4 hours before departure.  The boarding pass can be printed until 40 minutes before departure.  If you lose your pass then you will have to pay a fee to have a new one reissued.  Bag drop closes 40 minutes before departure, so if you check-in online you must make sure to have your bags in on time.

Tip

Book online whenever possible because fees are significantly reduced.  Also familiarize yourself with Ryanair's table of fees.

Departure: Florence, Italy - Peretola Airport (FLR)

Peretola Airport - Florence or "Aeroporto di Firenze," also known as "Amerigo Vespucci Airport," was named after Florence native Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian merchant and cartographer and is one of two main airports in the Tuscany region. The airport is very small. Even Italian flag-carrier Alitalia only serves two routes in and out of Florence! Among low-cost carriers, Sterling and Belle Air include Florence on their route maps. Location: Peretola Airport is located 4 kilometers from Florence and 80 kilometers from Pisa. Transport: - Rail: Passengers can take the Ataf-Sita Vola bus to the central railway station (S.M. Novella). - Bus: The Ataf-Sita Vola shuttle bus travels between the airport and the main Florence train station in about 25 minutes. - Taxi: Taxis are stationed in front of the arrivals terminal or can be called by Radiotaxi. Taxi journey time from the airport to Florence city center is about 15 minutes. Service: There are coffee bars, a snack bar, and a self-service restaurant located at the airport. Travelers can also shop at the Duty Free shop, newsstand, tobacconist and gift shop. Airport facilities also include a Bank, Bureau de Change, and Auto Exchange Machine.

Arrival: Nottingham, United Kingdom - East Midlands (EMA)

East Midlands, the main airport for east-central England, is located between Leicester and Nottingham. It's very dependent on budget and charter airlines, with Ryanair, easyJet, bmibaby, Thomsonfly, and Sterling, among others, on deck. Location: The East Midlands Airport is located 21 km (13 miles) southwest of Nottingham. Transport: - Bus: Between the East Midlands Airport and Nottingham Railway Station, the Nottingham Skylink bus operates an approximately 35 minute ride. Between the airport and St. Margaret's Bus Station in Leicester, the Leicester Skylink bus takes 50 minutes. The Derby Airline Shuttle travels between the Derby Railway Station and the airport in under 35 minutes. There are also bus services to Nottingham, Derby and Leicester (with connections to destinations around Great Britain on the Intercity network) from outside the main Arrivals area. - Taxi: The Checker Cars company serves the East Midlands Airport and are found at the taxi rank outside the terminal. For more information consult the company's Official Website. Service: A 24-hour information desk is located in the main terminal. ATMs, telephones, and two currency exchanges can also be found in the main terminal, which is also equipped with Wi-Fi. There are also a few restaurants and shops (including duty-free) as well as an aviation museum. Other facilities include lounges, children's play centers, first-aid, and a prayer room. more...