How to Get Ryanair Student Discounts with ESN Membership

If you’re looking for a student discount when flying Ryaniar, you’re not alone — it’s a common question, especially for students traveling around Europe. The short answer is that Ryanair doesn’t offer a traditional student discount as some full-service airlines do. Instead, student savings usually come through specific partnerships, such as the Erasmus Student Network, or simply from Ryanair’s already low base fares.

Find out what you need to do and what perks you can get when you book a Ryanair student discount fare.

How Ryanair Student Discounts Actually Work

Ryanair’s student-related savings are primarily tied to external partnerships, not a built-in student fare within Ryanair’s booking engine.

Since September 2017, Ryanair has had an exclusive partnership with Erasmus Student Network. This partnership offers Erasmus students a dedicated ESN booking platform on the Ryanair website where they can book their student flight discounts.

Erasmus students who book via Ryanair’s exclusive platform (the Erasmus widget) may avail of a 10% flight discount for their flights when they are traveling to and from their schools.

Ryanair’s partnership with Erasmus, however, does not apply to the following:

• Flights from June 16 to August 31
• Domestic flights
• Regular, Plus, and Flexi Plus Fares
• Connecting flights
• 3rd party flights
• Flights booked through mobile applications (you won’t be able to access the special dashboard for Erasmus discounts)
• Fees listed in Ryanair’s GTCCs or Ryanair’s other ancillary services

What is the Erasmus Student Network?

Erasmus Student Network (ESN for short) is one of the biggest student associations in Europe representing more than 1,000 Higher Education Institutions across over 40 countries. They operate on local, national, and international levels. Students who are studying in different countries may decide to enroll in the Erasmus Student Network program to help them as they transition into a new environment.

As part of their program to help students transition to life abroad, ESN offers various partnerships and deals with companies and organizations. Ryanair is one of them—giving students flight discounts, so they don’t have to worry about flying from one place to another.

How much does an ESN membership cost?

An ESNcard costs 10 euros (a little less than $10). When you apply for a card, you become a member of the overall Erasmus Student Network and are eligible for all the discounts and perks that come with your membership—including student flight discounts with Ryanair.

Requirements to Book a Ryanair Student Fare

If you’re planning to take advantage of Ryanair’s student flight discounts, you need to take note of the following requirements:

• Students must have a valid ESNcard to book all discounted flights and to avail of the other perks. You will also need to bring this when you check in for your flight. If you fail to show the valid ESNcard you used to book your flight, you may be denied boarding.
• Students must book their flights at least 28 days in advance of the departure date.
• The flight is only applicable for travel during the academic year (September 1 to June 15). Other flights beyond that are subject to regular rates.

Why Ryanair Student Discounts Are Limited

Unlike full-service airlines, Ryanair’s pricing model is built around ultra-low base fares with paid add-ons. Because of this structure, Ryanair does not typically offer standalone student fares.

Here’s why student discounts are limited:

• Ryanair focuses on low upfront pricing rather than fare discounts
• Most savings opportunities come from optional services, not ticket price
• Student benefits are handled through partnerships, not airline fare rules
• Availability varies widely depending on route and season

For many students, Ryanair’s base fare may already be cheaper than a “discounted” fare on another airline—but add-ons can quickly change the total cost.

How to Book a Ryanair Student Discount

To book a student flight discount with Ryanair, you need to access the special, dedicated ESN booking platform on the Ryanair website. It’s the only platform where you can get a discount. To access that platform or the Erasmus Widget, you need an ESNcard.

Step 1: Getting an ESNcard

An ESNcard is proof of your membership in an Erasmus Student Network section, and therefore something you need if you plan to book student flight discounts with Ryanair. The only way to get an ESNcard is via their website (ESNcard.org). You’ll need to look for the ESN section at the university where you will be an exchange student. If you can’t find it among those listed, contact the closest ESN section.

Step 2: Validating Your ESNcard on Ryanair

Once you have registered in ESNcard.org, go to MyRyanair by logging in or signing up to access the Erasmus tab in your dashboard. As this is not live validation, it might take a few days, so it’s best to sign up for an ESNcard as soon as you can, especially if you are getting ready to leave. In their list of requirements (see above), you must book your flight at least 28 days in advance to avail of the deal.

If you book a flight without prior validation of your ESNcard, you will not be entitled to the 10% discount. Standard market fares will apply to your booking. If you book a flight using the Erasmus widget even if you are not yet validated, you will be requested to pay the difference in the price at the boarding gate. To avoid situations like this, make sure your ESNcard is valid and your user profile on ESNcard.org is fully updated.

Step 3: Booking Your Flights

Once all your information has been added and validated, you can book your flights and avail of the ESN discount through the booking widget accessible from the Ryanair dashboard. Only flights booked through the specialized ESN dashboard will be considered for the discount. You cannot use Ryanair’s regular booking engine or other booking systems.

Be sure to take note of the booking period for the discount, which starts from July 18 until May 15.

Additional Perks of a Ryanair Student Fares

Ryanair grants students who book a student flight discount under their special program with Erasmus several perks. This includes the following:

10% Off Deals for Flights

As a student and ESNcard bearer, you can avail of four (4) one-way flights or two (2) return flights) at a 10% discount off the total final fare. This deal is valid throughout the academic year when you log in and book on Ryanair.com with your valid ESNcard.

Additional Check-in Bag

Aside from a student flight discount, ESNcard members also have a free 20-kilogram check-in bag. With the extra bag, you won’t have to worry so much about lacking baggage space.

Who Can Get the Ryanair Student Discount?

Ryanair’s student discount offer only applies to bookings made when the traveler is an ESNcard holder. In short, you cannot make a booking for anyone or ask someone with an ESNcard to book for you. If this happens, it is considered a fraudulent action and may be canceled without liability on ESN or Ryanair. You may also be requested to pay the fare difference for the flight at any time.

Note that the terms and conditions of booking a Ryanair student flight discount under the Erasmus program are subject to change without prior notice. Make sure you read through the rules thoroughly before booking your ticket.

Ryanair Student Discount vs Other Airlines

Compared to airlines like Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, or Etihad, Ryanair does not offer airline-direct student fares with built-in baggage and flexibility. Instead, Ryanair competes primarily on base price, with optional extras added separately.

Ryanair may be a good option for students who:

• Are flying short-haul within Europe
• Traveling with little or no luggage
• Are comfortable with a no-frills experience

For long-haul or study abroad flights with luggage, airlines with true student fare programs often provide better overall value.

For a broader comparison, see the Best Airlines for Student Flight Discounts guide.