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Low cost airlines have made solo travel accessible to everyone. A decade ago, a flight from London to Barcelona cost £200+. Today, budget airlines fly the same route for under £20. The trick is knowing which carriers to trust, which fees to avoid, and how to turn a rock-bottom fare into a genuinely good experience.
This guide covers the top 10 budget airlines worldwide, the cheapest routes you can book right now, hidden fee hacks that save solo travellers £50+ per trip, and the baggage strategies that let you fly carry-on only — because every bag fee you avoid is money you can spend at your destination.
Prices checked May 2026. Budget airline fares change constantly — use the booking links below for live pricing. Trusted by solo travellers worldwide.
Why Low Cost Airlines Are the Solo Traveller's Secret Weapon
Solo travellers have one massive advantage over groups: flexibility. You don't need to coordinate dates with anyone. You can jump on a Tuesday Ryanair sale at 6am. You can extend a trip by two days because the return flight is £9 cheaper on Friday. Low cost airlines reward this flexibility with fares that legacy carriers simply cannot match.
70–90% Cheaper Than Legacy Carriers
The same London–Barcelona flight costs £19 on Ryanair vs £180 on British Airways.
Solo Travellers Save the Most
No splitting costs. No group booking fees. Just you, a carry-on, and a ridiculously cheap seat.
More Routes = More Options
Budget airlines fly to secondary airports closer to city centres — sometimes faster to reach than the main airport.
Shorter Flights, Less Hassle
Most budget routes are under 3 hours. No need for meal service or entertainment — just get there cheap.
Ready to find your next cheap flight?
Compare budget airlines across all routes. Prices updated live — grab them before they go up.
Top 10 Budget Airlines for Solo Travelers Worldwide
These are the low cost airlines I actually fly — ranked by price, reliability, solo-traveller friendliness, and where they can take you. Every recommendation includes a direct booking link with live prices.
1. Ryanair — Europe
300+ routes across 40 countries
Best For Solo Travelers:
Weekend city breaks, hopscotching across Europe
Pro Tips:
- Book in the Ryanair app for extra discounts
- Travel Tuesday/Wednesday for lowest fares
- Use their "Value Fare" bundle to lock in seat + bag
2. easyJet — Europe
1,000+ routes across 35 countries
Best For Solo Travelers:
Longer European routes, reliable schedules
Pro Tips:
- easyJet Plus membership pays for itself after 2–3 trips
- Hand luggage-only fares are genuinely unrestricted
- Book 2–3 months ahead for peak summer routes
3. Wizz Air — Europe
200+ routes, strong in Central/Eastern Europe
Best For Solo Travelers:
Balkans, Baltics, and underrated Eastern Europe
Pro Tips:
- Wizz Discount Club saves £10+ per flight
- Fly into secondary airports for major savings
- Best for Albania, Georgia, Bulgaria, and Poland
4. Scoot — Asia-Pacific
60+ destinations across 17 countries
Best For Solo Travelers:
Cheap long-haul to Asia and Australia
Pro Tips:
- Scoot-in-Silence zones = no kids under 12
- Upgrade to ScootPlus on red-eyes for sleep
- Bundle add-ons at booking to save 40% vs later
5. AirAsia — Southeast Asia
130+ destinations across 25 countries
Best For Solo Travelers:
Island hopping, multi-country Southeast Asia trips
Pro Tips:
- BIG Membership unlocks member-only fares
- Book during their annual "Free Seats" sale
- AirAsia Move app bundles hotels + flights cheap
6. Jetstar — Australia/Asia
80+ destinations across 15 countries
Best For Solo Travelers:
Australia domestic and Asia-Pacific connections
Pro Tips:
- Price Beat Guarantee — they'll beat a competitor by 10%
- Bundle Starter fares with bags at checkout
- Club Jetstar members get exclusive $19 domestic fares
7. Southwest Airlines — USA
100+ destinations across USA + 10 international
Best For Solo Travelers:
US domestic travel with zero hidden fees
Pro Tips:
- Two free checked bags — unbeatable for US travel
- No change fees ever
- Rapid Rewards points never expire
8. Spirit Airlines — Americas
90+ destinations across USA, Caribbean, Latin America
Best For Solo Travelers:
Short US/Caribbean hops at rock-bottom prices
Pro Tips:
- Join $9 Fare Club for access to member-only prices
- Buy bags online — airport bag fees are 2x more
- Personal item is generous (18x14x8 inches)
9. Norwegian — Transatlantic
Europe to NYC, LA, Miami, and more
Best For Solo Travelers:
Low cost flights between Europe and USA
Pro Tips:
- LowFare+ includes seat + bag — worth the upgrade
- Premium cabin is 40% cheaper than legacy business
- Watch for seasonal route launches with launch fares
10. Vueling — Europe
140+ destinations across Europe and North Africa
Best For Solo Travelers:
Spain, France, Italy, and Mediterranean islands
Pro Tips:
- Vueling Club points stack with Avios
- TimePass lets you hold a price for 48 hours
- Flying from Barcelona or Rome? Vueling dominates
The Ultimate Solo Travel Packing Checklist
Pack carry-on only. Never pay a budget airline bag fee again.
5 Cheapest Low Cost Routes for Solo Travellers (Book Now)
These are actual routes you can book today on low cost airlines — with verified starting prices, flight times, and how often they run. Perfect for spontaneous solo trips.
| Route | Airline | From Price | Duration | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London → Dublin | Ryanair | £9.99 | 1h 15m | 5 flights/day |
| Manchester → Alicante | Ryanair | £19.99 | 2h 40m | 3 flights/day |
| London → Krakow | Wizz Air | £14.99 | 2h 20m | Daily |
| London → Bangkok | Scoot | £189 | 13h (1 stop) | Daily |
| New York → Los Angeles | Southwest | $89 | 5h 30m | 10+ flights/day |
Solo Traveller Tip: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently 15–30% cheaper than Friday–Sunday on all low cost airlines. Set a reminder to search on Tuesday mornings when new sales drop.
How to Find the Cheapest Low Cost Flights Every Time
Booking budget flights isn't just about luck — it's about timing, tools, and knowing where the airlines hide their best deals. Here's the exact process I use to find sub-£20 fares consistently.
Use an Aggregator, Then Book Direct
Start your search on Trip.com to compare all low cost airlines at once. Once you find the cheapest carrier, check their own app — they sometimes offer app-exclusive fares £5–10 lower.
Set Price Alerts for Your Route
Trip.com and Google Flights both let you track a route and notify you when the price drops. For solo travellers with flexible dates, this is the #1 money-saver.
Search in Incognito Mode
Budget airlines and booking sites track your searches. If you check the same route three times, the price often goes up. Use private browsing to avoid this.
Book 6–8 Weeks Ahead for Europe, 3–4 Months for Long-Haul
The sweet spot for low cost airlines is earlier than legacy carriers. Waiting until the last week rarely works — prices spike as seats fill.
Be Flexible on Airports
London has 5 airports served by budget airlines. Flying into Gatwick instead of Heathrow can save £30+. Check all options before you commit.
Want the full flight booking strategy? Read our complete guide to booking cheap flights — it covers the exact days of the week, times of day, and booking windows that save the most money.
Budget Airline Hidden Fees & How Solo Travellers Avoid Them
Low cost airlines make their money on fees, not fares. A £9.99 ticket can balloon to £80 if you don't know the rules. Here's exactly what to watch for — and how solo travellers dodge every charge.
Seat Selection
£3–£25Skip it. Solo travellers get assigned seats at check-in for free. If you want to sit together as a group you pay — but you're flying solo. Problem solved.
Checked Baggage
£15–£60Pack carry-on only. Budget airlines allow a "personal item" (backpack) plus a small cabin bag. Use packing cubes and wear your heaviest items. See our packing guide below.
Boarding Pass Printing
£20 at airportAlways check in online and download your boarding pass to your phone. This fee catches people every single day.
Food & Drink
£5–£15Bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it up. Pack snacks from home or buy at the airport before boarding. A £3 meal deal beats a £8.50 airline sandwich.
Airport Check-In
£30–£55Check in online within the 24-hour window. Set a phone reminder. This is the most painful and unnecessary fee on budget airlines.
Priority Boarding
£5–£15Unless you have a tight connection, skip it. Your seat is already assigned (or you don't care). Board last and walk straight onto the plane.
Solo Traveller Advantage: Groups pay for seat selection to sit together. Families pay for priority boarding. Couples pay for extra legroom. You? You pay for literally none of these. Flying solo on a budget airline is the cheapest way to travel.
The Solo Traveller's Baggage Guide for Low Cost Airlines
The #1 rule of budget airlines: if your bag fits, you fly cheap. If it doesn't, you pay more than a legacy carrier would have charged. Here's the exact size limit for every major low cost airline — and how to pack within it.
| Airline | Free Personal Item | Free Cabin Bag | Paid Cabin Bag | Checked Bag (20kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40x20x25cm | — | 55x40x20cm (£10–£25) | £20–£50 |
| easyJet | 45x36x20cm | — | 56x45x25cm (£6–£35) | £15–£45 |
| Wizz Air | 40x30x20cm | — | 40x30x20cm (free if <10kg) | £15–£40 |
| Southwest | Any size | Any size | — | 2 bags FREE |
| Spirit | 45x35x20cm | — | 56x46x25cm (£30–£65) | £35–£70 |
The Solo Carry-On Packing Formula
Best Budget Airlines by Region: Wherever You Fly Solo
Europe
Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling
Best deal: London → Dublin from £9.99
Use Ryanair for short hops, easyJet for longer routes, Wizz Air for Eastern Europe.
Southeast Asia
AirAsia, Scoot, VietJet
Best deal: Bangkok → Bali from £45
AirAsia dominates with 130+ routes. Book bundles for hotels + flights at 30% off.
Australia & NZ
Jetstar, Rex
Best deal: Sydney → Melbourne from £39
Jetstar Price Beat Guarantee is unbeatable — they'll beat any competitor fare by 10%.
USA & Americas
Southwest, Spirit, Frontier
Best deal: NYC → LA from $89
Southwest is the only US budget airline with 2 free checked bags. Spirit is cheapest if you pack light.
Transatlantic
Norwegian, PLAY, Level
Best deal: London → NYC from £149
Norwegian Premium is 40% cheaper than legacy business class and genuinely comfortable for red-eyes.
Middle East & Africa
Flydubai, Air Arabia, Jazeera
Best deal: Dubai → Tbilisi from £85
Flydubai connects the Gulf to the Caucasus, Central Asia, and East Africa at budget prices.
Final Booking Tips to Save More on Every Solo Trip
Book Tuesday morning
Most low cost airlines release sales and price drops at midnight Monday/Tuesday. Check before 9am for the best selection.
Sign up for airline newsletters
Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air send flash sale emails to subscribers 24–48 hours before the public sees them.
Consider annual memberships
Wizz Discount Club (£30/year) and easyJet Plus (£215/year) pay for themselves if you fly 3+ times annually.
Book outbound and return separately
Sometimes two one-way budget tickets are cheaper than a return. Always compare both options on Trip.com.
Use local currency if your card has no FX fees
Budget airlines sometimes charge more in GBP than in EUR. If you have a fee-free card, select the local currency at checkout.
Don't Fly Without Insurance
Even a £10 flight needs cover. If your budget airline cancels last-minute or you miss a connection, travel insurance reimburses you for rebooking costs. For solo travellers, it's non-negotiable.
Best Travel Insurance for Solo TravellersPlan Your Trip Further
Best Days to Book Cheap Flights
The exact days and times that unlock the lowest airfares every time
10 Best Cheap Flight Destinations in Europe
Verified budget routes with Trip.com deals you can book today
Solo Travel Essentials Packing Guide
Pack carry-on only and never pay a budget airline bag fee again
Travel Insurance for Solo Travellers
Why even budget flights need cover — and the best policies to choose
Ready to Fly for Less?
Low cost airlines have opened the world to solo travellers on any budget. The fares are real, the routes are extensive, and the only thing standing between you and your next adventure is hitting search.
✓ Prices checked today · ✓ 10 airlines compared · ✓ Updated May 2026
Never Pay a Bag Fee Again
The Ultimate Solo Travel Packing Checklist shows you exactly how to fit everything into a personal item — saving you £15–£60 on every budget flight you book.
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