Ryanair tickets are mostly non-refundable if you decide not to fly. Once the flight operates without you the fare itself stays with the airline. In some places you can still claim back the taxes and airport fees that were part of the original price, but that is usually the limit for a voluntary cancel.

If you need to cancel, log into your booking on the airline site and look for the options under manage. There is rarely a full cash refund button for standard tickets. Some people end up with a travel credit in limited cases such as the death of an immediate family member close to the travel date, but that is the exception rather than the rule.

When the airline cancels the flight the picture changes. You get three clear choices: a full refund of the ticket price including taxes, a free change to another flight on the same route, or re-routing to your destination at the earliest chance or on a later date that suits you. The email they send after a cancellation normally contains the links to pick one of those.

Compensation under the European passenger rules can also apply if you were told about the cancellation less than 14 days before departure and the reason was within the airline’s control. Amounts run from around 250 euros for shorter flights up to 600 euros for longer ones, depending on the distance. Extraordinary circumstances like bad weather, air traffic control problems or certain strikes usually block the payment. You claim that money through the airline’s online form for disrupted flights. Keep your booking reference and the cancellation notice ready.

If the disruption leaves you waiting a long time they should offer basic care such as meals or a hotel when an overnight stay becomes necessary. Submit any extra expense receipts separately if you paid out of pocket for things they should have covered.

Bookings made through a third party often need you to start the process with that seller first. Always cancel or claim before the original departure time so nothing gets marked as a no-show. The exact outcome sits inside your own booking details, so check there before assuming anything.

Air Service Hub is an independent information website and is not affiliated with Ryanair. The airline name is used only to identify the carrier this guide refers to. To change, cancel or get a refund on a booking, use the airline’s official website or app, or contact the agency where you booked. Fare rules change often, so always check the current conditions of your ticket.