Are Ryanair flights refundable? Not if you cancel. Ryanair tickets are non-refundable by default, and if you decide not to travel, you will not get your money back. The question is really about when Ryanair owes you a refund, which is a different situation entirely.
There are three circumstances where you have a legal right to a refund. Here is what they are, and what to do in each case.
When Ryanair must refund you
1. Ryanair cancels your flight. If Ryanair cancels the flight, you are entitled to a full refund to your original payment method. You can also choose to be rerouted or rebooked at no extra cost. The refund goes to your Ryanair Wallet within 24 hours, then to your original payment method within five working days if you request it.
2. Your flight is delayed by five hours or more. Under UK and EU passenger rights law, if your departure is delayed by five hours or more and you decide not to travel, you can claim a full refund. You must choose this option before you fly. Once you board, the right to a refund disappears.
3. You are denied boarding. If Ryanair bumps you off an overbooked flight against your will, you are entitled to a full refund, plus compensation of £220, £350, or £520 depending on the flight distance.
There is also a bereavement provision. If an immediate family member who is not travelling with you dies within ten days of your departure, Ryanair may offer a refund. This requires documentation and is handled case by case via customer support.
Compensation rights when Ryanair cancels
A refund and compensation are separate things. You can be entitled to both.
Under UK261 (the post-Brexit version of EU261), if Ryanair cancels your flight and notifies you fewer than 14 days before departure, and the reason is within their control (not weather or ATC strikes), you are also entitled to compensation:
- Flights under 1,500km: £220
- Flights between 1,500km and 3,500km: £350
- Flights over 3,500km: £520
Ryanair will not pay this if the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or political instability. If they cancel due to operational reasons, technical issues, or staffing problems, you are entitled to both the refund and the compensation.
The 24-hour rule: a common misunderstanding
You may have heard that you can cancel a Ryanair flight within 24 hours for a full refund. This is not correct for UK and European routes.
The 24-hour free cancellation rule applies only to Ryanair flights departing from or arriving in the United States or Canada, where US Department of Transportation regulations require it. For flights within the UK and Europe, there is no cooling-off period. If you book a flight and change your mind an hour later, you will not get a refund.
The one tax refund most people miss
If you do not fly, you can claim back Air Passenger Duty (APD), the UK government tax that is included in every ticket price for flights departing from UK airports.
Ryanair charges a £17 admin fee to process this refund, which you claim via refundclaims.ryanair.com within one month of your scheduled flight. For short-haul European routes, the APD component is typically around £13 to £26 per person, so the admin fee will often exceed what you get back. For longer routes or if you have multiple passengers on the booking, it may be worth claiming.
What happens if Ryanair reschedules your flight
If Ryanair changes your flight time significantly, you may have the right to a refund rather than accepting the new times. Ryanair considers a change of more than three hours to be significant enough to trigger this right, though this varies. If you receive a rescheduling notice, check whether a refund option is offered alongside the alternative flights.
For context on how Ryanair compares on overall reliability, see our guide on whether budget airlines are safe.
How to request a Ryanair refund
If you are entitled to a refund due to Ryanair cancelling or delaying your flight:
- Log into your Ryanair account and go to Manage Trips
- Select the affected booking
- Choose Refund from the options offered
- The refund appears in your Ryanair Wallet within 24 hours
- To move it to your bank account, select Withdraw in the wallet (5 working days)
If you are having difficulty, you can also submit a refund request at refundclaims.ryanair.com. Keep your booking reference and any correspondence you have received from Ryanair about the disruption.
If Ryanair refuses a refund you believe you are entitled to, you can escalate to the UK Civil Aviation Authority or use an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service. Third-party claims companies will also take cases on a no-win no-fee basis, though they take a cut of any compensation awarded.
If you are looking for the best time to book Ryanair to reduce the risk of disruption, our guide to Ryanair sale dates covers when prices are typically lowest. And if you want to compare overall cost versus reliability across budget carriers, our guide to the cheapest days to book flights in the UK is also worth a read.
Frequently asked questions
Are Ryanair flights refundable if I cancel?
No. If you choose to cancel, Ryanair will not refund your ticket. The only exception is for flights departing from the US or Canada, where US law requires a 24-hour cancellation window. For all UK and European routes, tickets are non-refundable once booked.
What happens if Ryanair cancels my flight?
You are entitled to a full refund to your original payment method, or you can choose to be rebooked on an alternative flight at no extra cost. If the cancellation was notified fewer than 14 days before departure and was caused by an operational issue within Ryanair’s control, you can also claim compensation of £220, £350, or £520 depending on the flight distance.
Does Ryanair have a 24-hour cancellation policy?
Only for flights departing from or arriving into the United States or Canada. For UK and European routes, there is no 24-hour cooling-off period. Ryanair tickets become non-refundable the moment you complete your booking.
Can I get a tax refund from Ryanair if I do not fly?
Yes. You can claim back Air Passenger Duty (APD) via refundclaims.ryanair.com within one month of your flight. Ryanair charges a £17 admin fee, which often exceeds the refund amount for short-haul routes. For multiple passengers or longer routes, it may be worth claiming.
How long does a Ryanair refund take?
If you are entitled to a refund, it appears in your Ryanair Wallet within 24 hours. To transfer it to your original payment method (bank account or card), it takes a further five working days once you request the withdrawal from the wallet.
