Search and Buy Cheap Flights within Europe

Immigration and customs policies when you're travelling in Europe will depend on which countries you are travelling between. If you’re travelling between two countries within the Schengen Area, you are able to fly without showing your passport. 26 countries (as of 2020) within Europe signed the Schengen Agreement of 1985, which effectively eliminated internal borders.

However, if you are flying between a European country that is a Schengen member (such as Italy, Spain or Sweden), and another which is not (such as the US or Britain), you will need to pass through passport control.

Please note that you may still be required to show identification and it is important to check the requirements of the countries you are travelling between before you book your flights.

If you're from a country whose citizens do require a visa to travel in Europe, such as the United States, then a single ‘Schengen Visa’ will let you travel freely within the Schengen Area. There are currently 26 countries within the Schengen Area. If you’re travelling to two or more European countries which are not Schengen members, you will need a separate visa for each.

Top Tip:If you're visiting Europe from the United States, you can find out more information by visiting our Schengen visa when flying from the US page.

If you are flying between two big cities in Europe, it is likely that your flight will be direct. Europe’s budget airlines all operate extensive networks, flying directly between most of the largest and most popular cities in Europe. However, you may find it is cheaper to fly to your destination via a connecting flight rather than flying direct.

Top Tip: If you're using a budget carrier to connect to a US-bound flight, ensure you allow enough of a layover, in case there are any delays.

Search and book flights within Europe through Alternative Airlines. Simply use the search bar at the top of the page to start searching for flights. Type in the city you will be departing from and the European city you want to travel to then press ‘Search’ to discover all the airlines you can choose from.

Europe deregulated its airways in the 1990s, which resulted in the emergence of a number of budget airlines. These airlines are sometimes called no-frills airlines because many services that full-service carriers usually provide as complimentary are not included in the price of the ticket. This lets travellers add services such as checked baggage allowance and meals to their booking only if required.

The check-in times for flights within Europe vary and will depend on the airline you are flying with, as well as the departure airport. As a general rule, it is recommended that travellers arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before scheduled departure for international flights and flights within Europe — but ensure you check with the airline you are flying with beforehand.

A flight within Europe is a flight which departs and lands within two different European countries. For example, a flight that departs from London, UK and lands at Paris, in France.

European flights don’t have to be expensive. In fact, once you are in Europe, inter-European flights are fairly cheap as there is less distance and more options from low-cost airlines. If you are planning a long European trip, why not use our multi-city planner to get around. If you are planning to travel to Europe from further away where a flight will be more expensive, why not consider one of our finance options to make your flight more manageable such as Klarna or Afterpay? If you're based in Europe, another flexible payment option is Riverty, however, we don't currently offer this as a payment method.

Yes, you are allowed iPads on European Flights. These may need to be removed from your hand luggage during airport security inspections, so please pay attention to and follow instructions from security personnel. Please see our electronics page for information on flying with valuable electronics, including how best to pack and transport them.

The general rule is that if flying between countries that are both in the European Union, they will be allowed with you on the plane subject to them meeting certain requirements and the airline's conditions. Find out information about taking dogs and other pets on flights here, including information on how to qualify.

The date that airline tickets go on sale depends on the airline itself. Find out hereabout how far in advance European flights go on sale according to each airline.

You can fly flights to and around Europe here on Alternative Airlines. We provide flights to the big well-known destinations as well as the smaller, lesser-known regional airports. Enter your destination and date into the search bar above to search and buy flights with us.

The best time to book flights within Europe depends on which European country you choose to visit. The high season for the majority of European countries is in June/July, so it's recommended you book your flights at least 6 months prior if you're planning to visit in the summer months.

This depends on where you are going and when, although generally the best day to book flights is 6 weeks before, and the earliest possible date to book European flights is around 1 year. Read our full blog for tips and advice on the cheapest day to buy flights here.

Yes! Inter-Europe flights are flights departing from one European country and landing in another European country - they are also known as flights within Europe. For example, a flight departing from Madrid, Spain, and landing in Split, Croatia, is considered an inter-Europe flight.

Take a look at some of our other guides about travelling in Europe:

• Blog: Sunniest Cities in Europe
• Blog: European cities with short flight times from the UK
• Blog: 8 Of The Cheapest Countries To Visit In Europe