For many travellers, the flight to Europe is the biggest single expense of the whole trip. Short hops between European cities can also add up if you are not careful. In Part 3 of Europe on a Budget, we share practical tactics for finding cheaper flights and avoiding the fees that turn a bargain into a rip-off.
Long-haul flights to Europe
1. Be flexible with dates
Prices can vary a lot from one day to the next. Use the flexible-date or month view on flight search tools to spot the cheapest days. Midweek departures are often cheaper than Fridays and Sundays, though this is not a fixed rule.
2. Be flexible with airports
Major hubs such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, Istanbul and Lisbon often have more competition and lower fares. Flying into a hub and then taking a cheap train or short flight to your first destination can save money.
3. Consider open-jaw tickets
An open-jaw ticket means flying into one city and home from another, for example into Lisbon and out of Budapest. Search with the "multi-city" option. It is often similar in price to a return ticket and saves you the time and cost of travelling back to your starting point.
4. Book at the right time
There is no magic booking day, but for long-haul trips, booking a few months ahead usually beats last-minute fares, especially for summer and holidays. Set price alerts on a couple of search engines and book when you see a fare that fits your budget.
5. Compare total cost, not just fare
Check what is included: checked bags, seat selection and meals. A slightly pricier full-service ticket can be cheaper overall than a "basic" fare with paid extras.
6. Watch layovers
Cheap fares with very long or overnight layovers can mean extra spending on food or a hotel. Very short connections on separate tickets are risky: if you miss the second flight, the airline is not obliged to help.
Flying within Europe
Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet and Vueling connect hundreds of cities, sometimes at very low fares. To keep those fares low:
- Know the baggage rules. The cheapest tickets often include only a small under-seat bag. Larger cabin bags and checked luggage cost extra and are cheaper to add online at booking than at the airport.
- Measure your bag. Staff may check size at the gate and charge high fees for oversized bags.
- Check in online and download or print your boarding pass if required. Some airlines charge for airport check-in.
- Skip paid seat selection unless you really need it.
- Check the airport location. Some budget airlines use secondary airports far from the city. Add the cost and time of the airport bus or train.
- Bring your own snacks and an empty water bottle to fill after security.
Flight or train?
For trips under about four or five hours by train, the train is often competitive once you add airport transfers, security time and baggage fees. Trains go from city centre to city centre and usually let you carry more luggage. Part 4 covers trains and buses in detail.
Smart search habits
- Use a meta-search engine to compare, then check the airline's own site, which can sometimes be cheaper or easier for changes.
- Search in a private window if you like, though price changes are mostly driven by demand, not your history.
- Compare "nearby airports" in your search settings.
- Look at one-way fares on different airlines; combining two one-ways can beat a return.
- Join airline newsletters for sale alerts, but book only if the dates truly suit you.
Know your passenger rights
Under EU rules (EU261), passengers may be entitled to assistance and, in many cases, compensation for long delays, cancellations or denied boarding on flights departing the EU, or arriving in the EU on an EU airline, unless caused by extraordinary circumstances. Keep your boarding pass and receipts, and claim directly with the airline before using paid claim services.
Quick checklist
- Search flexible dates and nearby airports.
- Try open-jaw routes.
- Compare the full price including bags.
- Read budget-airline rules carefully.
- Compare with trains for shorter routes.
In Part 4, we look at Europe's trains, buses and rail passes, and when a pass is actually worth it.
Europe on a Budget: the full series
- Part 1: Plan Your Trip and Set a Budget
- Part 2: Visas, Insurance and Paperwork
- Part 3: Finding Cheap Flights (you are here)
- Part 4: Trains, Buses and Rail Passes
- Part 5: Budget Accommodation
- Part 6: Eat Well for Less
- Part 7: Free and Cheap Sightseeing
- Part 8: The Best-Value Cities
- Part 9: Money, Cards and Fees
- Part 10: A Two-Week Budget Itinerary
Prices, fares, fees and entry rules change often. Treat the ranges here as rough guides and check official websites before you book or travel.
