Cheap flights in Europe — how to find the lowest fare.
When flying genuinely beats the train, how to compare every carrier in one place, and what low-cost airlines don't tell you about the headline price.
When flying genuinely beats the train, how to compare every carrier in one place, and what low-cost airlines don't tell you about the headline price.
The cheapest way to fly around Europe is to compare every carrier at once with a flight search like Aviasales — it scans low-cost and full-service airlines alike and surfaces the lowest true final fare. Add flexibility on dates (±3 days), check nearby airports, and book 4–8 weeks ahead. A ticket bought smartly can be cheaper than the train and save several hours in transit.
Search flights on Aviasales →On long cross-European hops — say Lisbon to Warsaw, or Barcelona to Kraków — a cheap flight can be not just faster but noticeably cheaper than rail or coach. Over distances of 1,000 km or more, the travel-time difference can reach 10–15 hours, and a well-timed airfare starts at a few tens of euros.
On shorter routes the maths shifts. Once you factor in the journey to the airport, check-in, and baggage collection, the total door-to-door time is often no shorter than by train. Always compare the full cost: ticket + transfer + any overnight stay forced by an early departure.
Flight aggregators like Aviasales search dozens of airlines simultaneously — low-cost carriers (Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet) and full-service airlines (LOT, Lufthansa, KLM) — and rank results by final price. Booking directly on an airline's own site makes sense mainly when you have that carrier's loyalty programme.
The headline price on a low-cost carrier's website is usually the fare alone — with no cabin bag beyond a small personal item, no seat selection, and no airport check-in. Once you add a carry-on or checked bag, a seat fee, and a transfer from an out-of-town airport, the final cost can exceed a full-service carrier's all-in fare.
The rule: always compare final prices with the same baggage configuration. Aviasales displays prices that account for basic fees and lets you filter by whether a bag is included — that saves a lot of frustration when comparing options.
| Option | Coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Aviasales Our pick | Low-cost + full-service airlines | Lowest true final fare |
| Directly on the airline's site | One airline | For loyalty programme members |
| Google Flights — comparison only | Wide selection | Price overview, fare alerts |
Enter your route in Aviasales and switch to the calendar or price-graph view — you can immediately see which days are cheapest. Shifting your departure by one day can move the fare by 30–50%.
Before you click buy, check what the price actually includes: is a carry-on bag included, and what are the size and weight limits? Only then is a comparison between airlines fair.
If the fare is still high, set an alert — you'll be notified when it drops. If your travel date is approaching, book without delay: cheap seats disappear fast.
Remote airports (e.g. Beauvais for Paris, Ciampino for Rome) can add 1.5–2 hours and €20–40 each way. Add that time and cost to the "cheap" ticket price before deciding.
Use a flight aggregator like Aviasales — it scans low-cost and full-service airlines simultaneously and shows the lowest true final fare. Stay flexible on dates (±3 days) and check nearby alternative airports: those two moves alone can cut the price by 20–40%.
The sweet spot for European routes is 4–8 weeks before departure. Earlier and prices tend to be higher; later and sold-out seats push fares up. For popular seasonal routes (summer holidays, Christmas) aim for 2–3 months ahead.
It depends on the distance and timing. For routes over 1,000 km, a ticket bought in advance is often cheaper and several hours faster. On shorter routes (under 3–4 hours by train) the train usually wins on comfort and total cost once you factor in the airport transfer.
Low-cost carriers (Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, etc.) sell cheap base fares but make money on add-ons: checked baggage, oversized carry-ons, seat selection, airport check-in, priority boarding. Add those fees up and the final price can exceed a full-service carrier's all-in fare — which is why you should always compare the complete cost.
Yes, if you can manage it. A carry-on-only ticket is cheaper, faster (no waiting at baggage reclaim), and less stressful. For short trips (2–5 days) a cabin bag is more than enough — it just takes a bit of thoughtful packing.
Statistically, Wednesday and Thursday flights are cheapest; Friday and Sunday are most expensive. Early-morning and late-night departures are often cheaper than peak-hour slots. Aviasales has a calendar price view that shows the cheapest days at a glance.
Sometimes, but do the full maths. An airport 60–80 km out can cost 1.5 hours and €30–50 each way. If the saving on the ticket is €20, it is not worth it. If it is €100, it may well be. Always calculate the total journey cost.
Add checked baggage when you buy the ticket — it is significantly cheaper than at the airport or online 48 hours before departure. Also check whether the airline charges for a standard carry-on: some low-cost carriers only allow a small under-seat bag for free, and charge for anything that goes in the overhead bin.
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