Budget Airlines in Europe

Budget airlines, also known as low-cost carriers, operate with a no-frills business model. These airlines offer significantly cheaper fares than traditional airlines by stripping away extras like checked baggage, in-flight meals, and seat selection. This trade-off is worth it for people looking to stretch their budget and focus their funds on their experiences rather than on flights.

Why fly budget?

The rise of budget airlines in Europe has completely changed how people travel across the continent. While you used to be limited to expensive premium airlines and slow train journeys, you now have access to thousands of affordable flight routes - often for less than the cost of a night out. Budget airlines offer affordable fares, huge networks, and a pay-for-what-you-need approach that suits many modern travellers.

While having access to cheap flights in Europe is a major win for travellers, there are a few things to be mindful of when booking with budget airlines:

Hidden fees

Many budget airlines charge extra for things like checked baggage, seat selection, printing your boarding pass, or bringing a second carry-on. These hidden costs can add up quickly if you're not careful.

Strict baggage policies

If your bag goes over the size or weight limit - even by a little bit - you may be charged at the gate. To avoid surprises, always read the fare details and baggage fees before booking.

Secondary airports

Some flights arrive at airports far from city centres, so factor in extra transport costs for when you arrive if you're planning on visiting the city centre.

If you’re prepared, though, most of these downsides are easy to manage.

Want to get the best value out of low cost airlines in Europe? Try these tips:

• Book early: Fares are usually lowest when released. Prices rise as the departure date nears. Check out our page on the best time to book flights to Europe for more information.
• Compare prices: Use Alternative Airlines' Best Fare Finder tool to compare various budget airlines in Europe and view different payment options. Read more on how to find the cheapest flights to Europe.
• Travel light: Avoid checked bag fees by sticking to cabin baggage only.
• Check in online: Some airlines charge to check in at the airport.
• Use payment plans: At Alternative Airlines, we offer flexible payment methods, including over 20 financing options like Klarna, Clearpay, and Affirm*, to split the cost of your flights into manageable instalments, making budget airlines even more affordable.
  
  

* Available payment methods depend on your location. Check our page to see what Buy Now Pay Later options are available to you.

Each year, the Skytrax World Airline Awards rank the top airlines globally based on millions of passenger reviews. In 2024, several European budget airlines earned standout spots on the list:

Volotea

⭐ Awarded Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe & 3rd Best Low-Cost Airline in the World

• Focuses on connecting smaller and mid-sized European cities often overlooked by bigger airlines
• Known for affordable fares and a pleasant in-flight experience
• Strong presence in France, Spain, and Italy

Transavia France

⭐ Awarded 5th Best Low-Cost Airline in the World

• Offers a great balance between price and comfort - affordable European flights without feeling too stripped back
• Flies to popular holiday spots across Europe
• Friendly service and reliable flight performance

Iberia Express

⭐ Awarded 9th Best Low-Cost Airline in the World

• Operates as the low-cost arm of Iberia (Spain’s national airline)
• Offers both low fares and connections to long-haul Iberia flights via Madrid
• Clean, efficient service with optional extras
• Good balance between price and comfort

RyanAir

⭐ Awarded 10th Best Low-Cost Airline in the World

• The most famous budget airline in Europe - and the largest by passenger numbers
• Incredibly low fares, especially if you travel light and book early
• Flies to a huge number of destinations, including smaller airports
• Known for its efficiency and on-time performance

Here are a few popular and budget-friendly routes to inspire your next adventure:

• London 🇬🇧 to Barcelona 🇪🇸 – From £25–£60: Trade grey skies for sunshine in under 2.5 hours. This is one of the most popular short-haul routes in Europe, with carriers like Ryanair, Vueling, and easyJet offering daily flights.
• Berlin 🇩🇪 to Rome 🇮🇹 – From £30–£70: Wizz Air and Ryanair often run deals on this route, with flight times around two hours.
• Paris 🇫🇷 to Prague 🇨🇿 – From £25–£65: Budget airlines like Vueling and Transavia offer direct flights, typically under two hours.
• Lisbon 🇵🇹 to Budapest 🇭🇺 – From £35–£80: Wizz Air and Ryanair fly this route regularly. You’ll get amazing value considering the distance, with direct flights around three hours.

We pulled these prices from recent deals, average fares on budget European airlines like Ryanair and easyJet, and general trends from travellers who book early, fly mid-week, and skip the extras. Prices can definitely vary, but this gives you a pretty good idea of how budget airlines offer cheap inter-Europe flights.