Budget airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet have made overseas travel much more accessible to the masses, and contributed to the increasing number of people who have now got second homes in France and Spain. But what can you expect, and how can you get the best value flight?

The majority of cheap flights are accessible through the internet, and usually you can get a better deal than you can by going into a travel agent, but you should check. Budget airlines are cheap, but not always cheerful, and not necessarily that comfortable, so be sure you know what to expect.

There are many ways that budget airlines add costs for their travellers, including charging extra for excess baggage, credit card usage, transporting sports equipment and priority boarding facilities. Think carefully before you sign up for, or reject,  any of these at the booking stage, as you will pay a lot more at the airport to take extra bags than you would if you paid for it online, not to mention having to queue for a long time.

Do not always think that the budget airlines will offer the best deal though. Other carriers, such as British Airways, have had to reduce their prices on many routes to compete, and you can sometimes get a better deal with a traditionally more expensive carrier. For example, BA offers a less rigid, and so expensive, means of transporting sporting goods, such as bicycles, and if you wish to take sports items on flights, it is well worth checking the total cost of the flight including all charges, to ensure you are getting the best deal.