What To Do When Your Plans Fall Through: Ryanair’s Cancellation Policy

Did you book a Ryanair Flight and then have to change your vacation plans? You’re not the only one. The good news is that there are still choices. People know Ryanair for its low-cost flights, but they also have very strict cancellation policies that passengers should know about before they click “book”.

Here is the full Ryanair cancellation policy, broken down and made easy to understand.

Does Ryanair let You Cancel for Free within 24 Hours?

No, Ryanair does not offer a free cancellation within 24 hours, unlike most other airlines

Once you pay and book your flight, it can’t be cancelled if you just booked it.

So, make sure you’re 100% sure before booking a flight with Ryanair Airlines

Can you Cancel a Ryanair Flight?

Yes, you can cancel a flight but it doesn’t always guarantee a refund.

Here’s how it works-

You can cancel your flight whenever you want, but Ryanair won’t pay back the fare unless- Ryanair itself cancels the flight, serious illness or any emergency (supporting evidence should be there)
You can get back taxes and fees, but you’ll have to pay a processing fees – and the refund is usually small.

Instead of Cancelling, Ryanair offers an option for rebooking the flights for some other day, which is normally the best option.

Ryanair Flight Change Policy (the best option)

If your itinerary has changed but you still want to travel by air, that is what Ryanair is the best at:

You can change the date, time, or schedule upto 2.5 hours prior to the flight.
Change fee: usually €45 -€60 per person, per flight (or more in high season)
Fare Difference: you also have to pay any fare difference

How to reschedule your Ryanair flight?

Visit ryanair.com
Log into “My Bookings”
Select “Manage my Booking”
Choose “Change Flight”

Tip: Ryanair often has “free change fee” sales- especially they had them during covid or summer sales- so make sure to check it before you pay.

When Can You Get a Refund from Ryanair?

Although, refunds are not that common, you can get your money back under the following conditions:

Ryanair cancels or reschedules your flight extensively
Serious illness or death (emergency) in your close family (documents needed)
EU regulation 261/2004 applies- entitling you to compensation for delays or cancellations beyond Ryanair’s control

To request for a refund, go to Ryanair’s refund request form.

What If You Miss your Ryanair Flight?

If you don’t show up, your tickets it simply forfeited. Ryanair does not offer refunds for no shows, and you won’t be rebooked unless you purchase a new ticket.

But in cases of bereavement or medical emergencies, Ryanair may review refund claims on a case-by-case basis

Know Before You Go

Ryanair is not as flexible as other airlines, but that’s what keeps its prices so low. You can avoid hidden fees and get the most out of your vacation budget if you know the rules and book carefully. If you’re not sure when you’ll be travelling, think about: