Skip to flight searchSkip to main content

Winter Flights 2024

Buy Cheap Winter Flights

From the build-up to Christmas to the quieter months of January and February (the perfect time to discover a new city without the crowds!), winter really is a magical time of year. If you're looking for cheap flights for Winter 2024, then Alternative Airlines can help. Use this guide to find out more about when to book flights for your winter break, as well as top tips to help make booking flights more affordable, from using our Best Fare Calendar to booking now and paying later.

Book flights for your next winter break with Alternative Airlines — simply use the search form at the top of the page to begin searching for cheap winter vacation flights. 

Hallstatt, Austria

How to book cheap flights for winter

Book early

The cost of flights will go up incrementally the closer it gets to departure. So, for the best prices, book early. You can find out more about how far in advance airlines release tickets below.

Buy now and pay later

As well as booking early, paying the cost over time can help make your flight booking even more affordable, as you can pay over weekly or monthly instalments rather than upfront. Here at Alternative Airlines, we offer lots of buy now, pay later options, including Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay, Zip and more. Although the total cost will remain the same, spreading it out over time can enable you to book flights to destinations that would otherwise be unaffordable. 

Use our calendar to find the cheapest flights

To begin searching for flights, enter your departure and arrival destinations, the number of travellers and your travel class. Once that is done, you can then select your dates of travel. This is when our Best Fare Calendar comes in.

The Best Fare Calendar uses a traffic light system to show you the cheapest date that is cheapest for you to travel in the month, with red being the most expensive and green being the cheapest. If you can be flexible with your dates of travel, this is one of the best ways to save.

Lake Bled, Slovenia in Winter

Cheap winter flights to Europe

Winter is a wonderful time to visit Europe. Exploring Europe’s beautiful cities during winter will always be an enchanting experience. From London to Vienna to Amsterdam, escape the snow and pop into an unmissable museum or don your hat and gloves and visit one of Europe’s best Christmas markets. Many of Europe's best-loved cities looked even more incredible over the crisp winter months.

What’s more, for many destinations in Europe, visiting in winter will mean cheaper flights, as winter is the quieter low season for travel.

Whether you’re flying from one country in Europe to another, or visiting from the US or elsewhere further afield, there are many airlines that operate regular flights to Europe over the winter. Use the search form at the top of the page, by entering your departure and chosen arrival destination, to begin your search.

Cheap flights to Europe in Winter

  • Fly to Vienna International Airport with airlines including Austrian Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Air Canada, Air France, Emirates, Eurowings and many more.
  • Fly to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol with airlines including easyJet, British Airways, Air France, Air Canada, Transavia, Tui Netherlands, WestJet, Vueling, United Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian, Delta, Air Europa and many more.
  • Fly to Bruges with TUI fly Belgium ​​
  • Fly to Václav Havel Airport Prague with airlines including easyJet, Eurowings, Czech Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Jet2, Aeroflot, Aerlingus, British Airways, Ural Airways and more.
  • Fly to Tallinn Airport with airlines including airBaltic, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Scandinavian Airlines and more.
Man skiing down a snowy hill

Booking flights for your 2024 ski trip

Can’t wait to book your 2024 skiing trip? The season is just around the corner and there's no time like the present to book flights for your upcoming skiing strip. The earlier that you book, the likelier it is that you’ll find cheaper prices. This is because the cost of flights can increase rapidly the closer to departure.

Looking for inspiration? Take a look at our top blogs for skiing enthusiasts:

Booking flights for Christmas

Book cheap winter flights for Christmas

Booking cheap winter flights for Christmas is a smart way to make the most of your holiday travel budget. To secure the best prices, it's advisable to book your Christmas flights well in advance. However, we understand that plans can be fluid, and sometimes you may need to make last-minute arrangements. At Alternative Airlines, we're here to help ease the stress of those last-minute Christmas plans.

We offer various options and solutions to make last-minute winter flight reservations hassle-free. If you're considering a spontaneous holiday getaway, take a moment to explore our comprehensive guide to booking Christmas flights. It's a valuable resource that provides insights, tips and information to assist you in making the most cost-effective and convenient travel choices during the holiday season. Whether you're a meticulous planner or a spontaneous traveller, we're dedicated to ensuring your Christmas travel experience is as smooth and budget-friendly as possible.

Cheap Vacations in December

For a December winter vacation, consider Vienna's holiday charm, Quebec City's winter wonderland, Reykjavik for the Northern Lights, Prague's Christmas markets, or Zurich's Swiss elegance. You could also consider world-class skiing opportunities in Aspen, relaxation in Budapest's thermal baths, the urban canals of Amsterdam, or the magic of Santa Claus Village in Lapland. These destinations promise diverse and memorable winter getaways.

Top winter vacation spots in December include:

  • Vienna, Austria: Experience the magic of Vienna's Christmas markets and classical music traditions.
  • Quebec City, Canada: Enjoy the enchanting Winter Carnival and explore the charming, snow-covered old town.
  • Reykjavik, Iceland: Witness the Northern Lights and relax in geothermal hot springs.
  • Prague, Czech Republic: Visit the historic city's Christmas markets and beautiful architecture.
  • Salzburg, Austria: Explore the birthplace of Mozart and its festive holiday markets.
  • Zurich, Switzerland: Experience the elegance of Swiss Christmas markets and winter festivities.
  • Aspen, Colorado, USA: Enjoy world-class skiing and a vibrant après-ski scene in the Rockies.
  • Budapest, Hungary: Explore the Hungarian capital's Christmas markets and thermal baths.
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands: Witness the city's picturesque canals adorned with holiday lights.
  • Santa Claus Village, Lapland, Finland: Visit the official home of Santa Claus and experience a winter wonderland.

Cheap Vacations in January

January is an ideal time for cheap winter getaways to destinations known for their snowy landscapes and seasonal charm. Here are the top winter vacation spots in January:

  • Aspen, Colorado, USA: A skiing haven with resorts and après-ski delights.
  • Zermatt, Switzerland: Iconic Matterhorn views and car-free skiing.
  • Quebec City, Canada: European-style winter charm and Winter Carnival.
  • Reykjavik, Iceland: Northern Lights, geothermal springs and ice wonders.
  • Sapporo, Japan: Sapporo Snow Festival with intricate ice sculptures.
  • Vienna, Austria: Classical elegance and cosy coffeehouses.
  • Banff National Park, Canada: Scenic winter beauty, skiing and wildlife.
  • Tromsø, Norway: Polar night and Northern Lights spectacle.
  • Park City, USA: World-class skiing and Sundance Film Festival.
  • Bariloche, Argentina: Unique Patagonian winter landscapes and chocolate.

Cheap Vacations in February

In February, you can still find cheap winter vacation spots. Here are some affordable options for budget-conscious travellers.

  • Krakow, Poland: Enjoy festive markets and charming architecture in the historic Old Town.
  • Tenerife, Spain: Escape to mild winter temperatures on beautiful beaches.
  • Bansko, Bulgaria: Affordable winter sports amid stunning mountain scenery.
  • Lisbon, Portugal: Rich culture and vibrant neighbourhoods with milder winter weather.
  • Puerto Rico: Sunny, warm Caribbean escape with budget-friendly accommodations.
  • Vietnam: Explore stunning landscapes and savour mouth-watering street food.
  • Romania: Embrace Transylvania's medieval charm amid snow-covered landscapes.
  • Costa Rica: Discover lush rainforests in the dry, budget-friendly season.
  • Greece: Visit historical sites in Athens or quieter Greek islands.
  • Colombia: Enjoy pleasant weather, vibrant culture and pristine beaches in Medellin and Cartagena.

Trusted globally

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot

We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines

Cheap Winter Break Flights FAQs

When is the best time to buy winter flights?

Because the winter season spans a number of months, the answer depends on where you are going and when. If you’re planning a pre-Christmas trip, perhaps to a popular Christmas-market city, then the tickets may be available sooner than if you are planning a late February break. However, to grab a bargain the general rule is to book early, as the price of the flights will increase the closer it gets to departure.

Where can I book cheap flights this winter?

Through Alternative Airlines! We ticket hundreds of global airlines (over 600!), flying to destinations around the world. So no matter which winter destination you’ve got your eye on, it will be easy to find and book your perfect flights with us. Simply use the search form at the top of the page to begin.

Other useful guides:

Where can I book cheap winter flights to Tenerife?

You can easily search for and book cheap winter flights to Tenerife right here at Alternative Airlines. Tenerife is one of the Spanish Canary Islands that is an ideal holiday destination all year round, especially in winter! You can fly with popular airlines such as EasyJet, Vueling, United Airlines, Wizz Air, British Airways and many more.

When are winter flights released?

This will depend on the airline. Many airlines will release their upcoming schedules up to 11 or even 12 months in advance, whereas other airlines will only release their upcoming schedules about three months prior. Domestic flight schedules may also be released before international flight schedules.

When will easyJet winter flights be available to book?

It's usually possible to search and book flights with easyJet for the entire upcoming year. This means that it will be possible to book winter flights in the early months of the same year.

When will Ryanair winter flights be released?

Ryanair will usually release their schedule 9 months in advance. If you want to book winter flights with this airline, we recommend doing so during the spring or summer prior — earlier the better to grab the best prices.

How early in advance can I book winter flights in the US?

The majority of major carriers in the US, including United Airlines, Delta, American Airlines, Hawaiian and Spirit all tend to release their tickets 11 months in advance. JetBlue and Allegiant Air usually release their tickets a little later, 6 to 9 months in advance.

When will Southwest winter flights be released?

While most airlines allow you to book flights up to 11 months in advance, Southwest Airlines does things a little differently. The airline will usually release fares in batches, about seven months in advance.