Buy Cheap Flights within Europe
Search for flights around Europe with great prices and lots of choices
Why buy flights within Europe?
Flights are an easy way to get around Europe, especially with the large surface area of water making getting around by car, boat or train more difficult. There are many airlines that offer domestic flights around particular countries but also flights around the continent with transcontinental flights and also to other continents with intercontinental flights or transatlantic flights.
There are over 50 large European airlines operating in the area and the rest of the world. These airlines include some legacy carriers, and also provides a variety of low-cost, full-service and hybrid airlines.
Are flights within Europe cheap?
Europe has seen a proliferation of low-cost airlines, which have emerged over recent years and transformed air travel within Europe.
Some of the largest and best-known budget airlines in Europe include easyJet, Smartings, Ryanair, Transavia, Norwegian and Wizz Air. These airlines are an alternative to more traditional national flag carriers (such as British Airways or Air France), which tend to provide a full-service and carry higher ticket prices as a result. Flying with a low-cost airline means sacrificing some services, such as complimentary checked baggage and meals, but can dramatically reduce the cost of your flights within Europe.
How much are flights within Europe? - It is likely that you’ll be able to find flights between European cities with a budget airline for $50–250.
How to book cheap flights within Europe
It is possible to grab a very affordable ticket on a low-cost airline, especially if you fly off-peak or during quieter times. You can use the search bar at the top of the page to start searching for flights. To help you find affordable flight ticket prices, try following these steps:
- Fly during the shoulder season.
- Catch a red eye flight and fly during the night or really early in the morning
- Don’t fly during public holidays.
- Before you book your flights, check out our guide to the cheapest day to buy flights to help you discover when the best time to book your flights might be.
Airlines within Europe 🛬
Read about the best airlines for travel around Europe, including facts about each airline, which flies to the most destinations, which have the most coverage and which airline to use for different European regions.
- Air France
The strategic partnership which combined airlines Air France and Dutch KLM created the 4th busiest airline group in Europe.
Both airlines each have a wide selection of destinations across Europe, establishing themselves across Europe and further across the globe.
- Lufthansa
This group not only covers German airline Lufthansa, but also its subsidiary airlines including Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, SunExpress, SWISS, Air Dolomiti and Austrian Airlines.
Lufthansa itself flies to over 80 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The whole group flew an impressive 142.3 million passengers in 2018.
- Ryanair
Ryanair is Ireland’s low-cost carrier, offering cheap flights to Europe. The airline provides a great option for cheap travel around Europe, as it currently flies to many countries in Europe, as well as destinations in North Africa and the Middle East.
It also operates domestic flights in Ireland. It is currently the largest cheap airline within Europe, according to the number of passengers carried, and also the largest airline in the world according to the number of routes it serves.
- International Airlines Group (IAG)
Although this name may not be familiar to some people, this group is in charge of some of Europe’s largest airlines including British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, Vueling and Aer Lingus.
These airlines combined contribute to a huge network across the continent, allowing passengers to travel to more places with this airline.
- EasyJet
EasyJet is known by many for its budget flights around Europe. This British airline operates domestic flights around the UK, and also international flights to the rest of Europe.
This airline is still relatively young compared to others, as it was only formed in 1995. This is also one of our featured cheapest airlines on our blog for its great value for money.
- Turkish Airlines
The national airline of Turkey, Turkish Airlines, was first founded in 1933 and flies to over 300 destinations across the world. Although its services are spread around the world, this airline still has great connectivity across Europe.
This airline is in the top 10 for largest airlines in the world by number of destinations served. The rapid expansion of this airline is also cause for the new airport in Istanbul, which has one of the best shopping scenes in all of the world's airports.
What are the best European airlines? 🛫
Lufthansa
As voted by Skytrax for being the best airline in Europe, Lufthansa was commended for its exceptional service in regard to safety and punctuality as well as their product quality.
SWISS
Swiss International Air Lines (notably a member of the Lufthansa group) was a runner-up in Skytrax’s award, credited for its luxury amenities, genuine and friendly cabin crew and complimentary extras such as its alcoholic beverages.
Austrian Airlines
In third place of the Skytrax award for ‘Best Airlines in Europe for 2018’ was Austrian Airlines. This placed highly for its culinary delights, great service from staff, and also for the efficient service for economy fliers.
Cheapest Cities in Europe
This section shows you the best airports to fly to in the cheapest countries in Europe (with their IATA codes). If you wish to find out more about these countries, please visit our blog on '9 of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe'.
Flights to Sofia, Bulgaria
Best Airport to Fly Into: Sofia Airport (SOF)
Sofia, Bulgaria is a great travel spot for its rich culture, variety of architecture such as Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere while trying Bulgaria's high quality food.
Flights to Kutaisi, Georgia
Best Airport to Fly Into: Kutaisi International Airport (KUT)
Are you looking for a destination with stunning nature? Kutaisi, Georgia is a gateway to beautiful sceneries like the Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon. You can see these picturesque views using Kutaisi's inexpensive bus system or local taxis.
Flights to Riga, Latvia
Best Airport to Fly Into: Riga Airport (RIX)
Looking for affordable accommodation and cheaper meal out options? Well in Riga, Latvia you can find budget friendly hostels and local cafes with main dishes under €10-€15 with cheap beer and coffee options. Visit the Central Market, offering fresh and budget friendly produce.
Flights to Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
Best Airport to Fly Into: Ohrid Airport (OHD)
Did someone say free outdoor activities? Yes! Lake Ohrid, Macedonia offers free hiking trails to take in the beauty of their lakes in Galicica National Park and enjoy the fresh salty air of their beaches too.
Flights to Kraków, Poland
Best Airport to Fly Into: Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK)
Embrace Krakow's historical town by take a walk through the Jewish Quarter, UNESCO World Heritiage Old Town and Wawel Castle. After soaking up all the wonders of the town, you can enjoy a beverage and a light meal such as dumplings or traditional Polish pizza bread to end the day.
Flights to Bucharest, Romania
Best Airport to Fly Into: Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP)
Are you looking for a destination that is the life of the party? Well look no further Bucharest, Romania is famous for its restaurants, lively bars and diverse cultural music. Travel to 'The Old Town' in Central Vechi for a night to remember in a charming city nicknamed "Little Paris".
Flights to Bratislava, Slovakia
Best Airport to Fly Into: Bratislava Airport (BTS)
After a whole day of exploring around Bratislava try a low price refreshing drink starting around €3-€5 of their local beer 'Pivo' at a local Slovak Pub or the Bratislava Flagship.
Flights to Lviv, Ukraine
Best Airport to Fly Into: Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO)
Are you looking for an affordable holiday destination where you can splurge more on attractions then transport? Lviv, Ukraine is well known for its coffee houses, so many opportunities to sit back and relax. Lviv is believed to be the birthplace of roasting and brewing the coffee beans when the Austro-Hungarian Empire was in full force.
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FAQs
What are the immigration policies for 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. 29 countries (as of 2025) 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.
Will I need multiple visas if travelling between multiple countries in Europe?
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.
Will I need a connecting flight?
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.
How can I book flights within Europe?
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.
Why are flights within Europe so cheap?
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.
What are the check-in times for flights within Europe?
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.
What is a flight within Europe?
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.
Why are European flights so expensive?
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.
Are iPads allowed on European Flights?
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.
Are dogs allowed on European Flights?
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.
When do European flights go on sale?
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.
Where can I buy European flights?
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.
When to book flights within Europe?
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.
How early to book European flights?
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.
Are inter Europe flights the same as flights within Europe?
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.
Other useful guides
Take a look at some of our other guides about travelling in Europe: