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Traveling around Europe doesn’t have to break the bank. By investigating prices early, you can book cheap airfare to make it to your final destination. Whether you are booking a weekend away or planning international travel to include multiple countries, this overview will give you guidance on how to navigate Europe’s budget airlines.

Benefits of Budget Airlines in Europe

Inexpensive 

If you are looking to travel cheaply in Europe, budget airlines can save you a lot of money, especially if you are flexible in terms of dates. In 201, when I lived in Heidelberg, I booked a Ryanair flight to Rome. It cost me about 15 Euros!

Safety

Just because you’re booking a budget airline, it does not mean it isn’t safe. Many of these airlines are operated by big airline carriers (For example, Eurowings is operated by Lufthansa). The EU also has strict regulations for aviation safety. Ryanair, Europe’s most popular budget airline, has also never had a fatality and has a high safety rating according to AirlinesRatings.com.

Challenges with Budget Airlines 

Upcharges and Fees 

Budget airlines will typically upcharge you for everything. When using Ryanair, I would always travel with only a backpack since carry-ons cost extra. If traveling with a cheaper airline, you will need to take into account that extras such as snacks, water, check bags are all additional costs.

Not Always Cheaper 

While budget airlines will typically have better deals, it’s important to shop around. Airfare through these airlines is not always cheaper, particularly if you are not flexible in the dates you want to travel or are bringing a carry-on.

Be sure to fator in transportation costs from the airport as well. Since airlines such as Ryanair usually fly into smaller airports, it’s important to see what the charges are to get to your final destination.

Airport Locations

Budget airlines don’t always fly into the main airport, which can be a hassle. Sometimes these airports will also be in the middle of nowhere, without access to much public transportation. Frankfurt Hahn, for example, is where Ryanair tends to fly in. There is no train here, so you will need to book a bus or rent a car to get to your final destination (Our recommendation is Flixbus).

Budget Airline Brands

Ryanair

Ryanair has the cheapest airfare of any airline I have ever taken, which was great for me in college. They tend to fly out of smaller airports and are pretty strict on the size of your personal item. However, they are great and was perhaps the main reason I got to see so much of Europe while a student.

easyJet

easyJet is a budget airline headquartered in London Luton Airport and can be used to travel throughout Europe.

Eurowings

Eurowings is headquartered in Düsseldorf and owned by the Lufthansa Group. They offer inexpensive flights throughout Germany and the rest of Europe.

Icelandair

I wouldn’t necessarily consider this a budget airline. Icelandair is Iceland’s major airline and it is often cheaper in terms of transatlantic flights. I once flew their business class for work (which was lovely) and it still cost me less than taking a direct flight to Frankfurt. Icelandair also has the added bonus of offering a seven day layover in Iceland without any extra cost.

Aer Lingus

Though not a typical budget airline in our opinion, Aer Lingus is based in Dublin and is another way to get to Europe relatively cheaply. Plus – If you travel through Dublin, you can do US customs already at the Dublin airport. It’s one of the few places in the world where this is possible, saving you so much time when you get home.

Vueling

Vueling is based in the Greater Barcelona area. Another advantage of this airline is that we’ve seen it connect cities, which may not be connected by bigger airlines (For example: Dubrovnik and Rome).

WizzAir

WizzAir is based in Budapest, Hungary. They also have subsidiaries, such as WizzAir UK and WizzAir Malta.

Final Thoughts

If you have ever wondered how people afford to travel, budget airlines are the answer to traveling long distances cheaply. In Europe, there are a lot of different carriers to choose from, and these can save you a lot of money. Any other tips on how to save money in Europe? Leave them in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Europe’s biggest low-cost airline?

Ryanair is Europe’s biggest low-cost airline.

How do you travel cheaply in Europe?

You should investigate deals before booking travel in Europe. Budget airfare, such as Ryanair, may be a good option. However, Eurorail also has a fixed price for unlimited train fare. Buses such as Flixbus are also a good option, depending on your final destination.

Why is Ryanair so cheap?

Ryanair is so cheap due to its business model, which includes smaller airports and fees related to baggage. The cheapest airfare also tends to be sold far in advance (so book your tickets early!).