Do budget airlines actually save you money when you factor in all the extras? I flew Ryanair last month and the base fare was €19.99, but by the time I paid for a carry-on bag, seat selection, and a bottle of water on board, my total came to €67. That's more than a traditional carrier's ticket on the same route, yet people still swear by them for short hops. I'm torn because the flexibility of flying at odd hours and landing at smaller airports has its perks, but the hidden costs and the crammed seats make me question if it's really worth it. What's your experience been like—do the advertised prices ever match what you end up paying, or have you found ways to game the system without losing your sanity?