How To Find Cheap Airfare Within Europe
Finding inexpensive flights between European cities used to be a genuine headache, and for years it felt close to impossible. Travelers were told, more or less, that European carriers simply didn’t bother offering budget fares. Instead of flying, people got around the continent by train or by renting a car when public transport didn’t cover the route they needed.
These days there are situations where a cheap flight within Europe really is the only sensible option, especially when time matters more than money. Some travelers can’t justify paying steep fares to get from Point A to Point B by plane, yet they still need to arrive faster than a car or train would get them there.
The first thing to consider when hunting for cheap airfare within Europe is whether you can fly into or out of a different city than your original plan. Rearranging a trip to allow for a bit more ground travel isn’t a big sacrifice, especially when the savings are significant.
The catch with the truly cheap fares in Europe is that there are usually strings attached. And it’s worth remembering that the taxes on some of these budget flights within Europe often cost more than the ticket itself.
Shopping for cheap European airfare also works differently than it does in North America. There aren’t many connecting flights in Europe, and most budget tickets are direct, city-to-city routes.
Where to Look for Cheap Airfares Within Europe
We aren’t endorsing any of the following airlines. This is simply a practical starting point for cheap European airfare. Here are some of the more established names in the budget European airline market, so you have somewhere to begin your own research.
Basiq Air – Based in Holland and flying to roughly 20 cities. Flights from Amsterdam run between 30 and 60 EUR ($37-74 USD).
BMI Baby Airlines – Offers routes throughout Europe.
Easy Jet – A large number of routes across Europe. Booking with a credit card carries an extra charge, and refunds generally aren’t available unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as the death of a family member.
Germania Express – Discount flights between Spain, Italy, Germany and Greece.
Sky Europe – Reportedly the leading budget airline in central Europe.
Snowflake – Serves the Mediterranean from various points in Europe.
Continent Express – Taxes and fees here tend to run considerably higher than the fares themselves.
Volare Airlines – An Italian-based airline.
Wizz Air – A newer airline, but already fairly well regarded by its customers. Flies between Warsaw and Athens.
Finding cheap flights within Europe doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. Go in with the right resources and accurate information, and you’re already on your way to landing that cheap airfare.
It bears repeating: cheap flights between European cities took a long time to become common, and finding them once felt nearly impossible. The main thing to check when researching cheap fares within Europe is whether you can arrive or depart from a city other than your original choice. The catch with genuinely cheap airfare in Europe is that strings tend to be attached, and the tax on some of these budget flights within Europe is often higher than the flight itself.
Here are some of the more established names in the cheap European airline market, so you can get started on your own search for affordable airfare within Europe. Also worth reading are our articles Technique of Forex trading and Coastal Vacation Scams Equal Bad Vacations For You. If you’re still pulling a trip together, our guide on preparing for your holidays and travelling covers the logistics side as well.