The Cheapest Airlines in Europe

Photo: Travel and Tour World

Low-cost airlines remain one of the key tools for travelling across Europe, allowing passengers to reduce flight costs and build flexible routes. Travel and Tour World offers an overview of the European low-cost market and practical ways to cut expenses when planning trips.

Saving on Flights

Eurowings is a German low-cost carrier that is part of a major airline group. The company operates flights between Germany’s main cities, including Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, and serves popular destinations across Europe. Its extensive route network makes it a convenient option for both short city breaks and longer journeys.

Vueling Airlines is based in Barcelona and connects more than 100 cities across Europe. The airline focuses primarily on Southern European routes, including Mediterranean resorts and major cultural centres. Its booking and flight management system is designed to suit both domestic and international travel.

Volotea works with regional airports and smaller cities that are rarely included in the route networks of large carriers. This model provides access to historic destinations, coastal areas and resorts outside overcrowded tourist centres. The summer schedule is geared towards seasonal demand and destinations suited to a more relaxed type of holiday.

Transavia France operates flights from Paris and Lyon to Southern European countries and neighbouring regions. The carrier focuses on warm-climate tourist destinations and combines a low-cost model with comfortable flight conditions.

Iberia Express builds its European route network around Madrid, making it convenient to combine short European flights with long-haul connections. This approach allows travellers to include air travel in more complex itineraries without a significant increase in costs.

easyJet operates one of the largest route networks among European low-cost carriers, linking London, Berlin, Milan and dozens of other cities. Frequent seasonal offers and a dense schedule make it possible to plan multi-stop trips with greater flexibility.

Ryanair serves more than 200 destinations across Europe and offers very low base fares. Additional services are charged separately, which requires careful booking, but at the same time makes it possible to significantly reduce travel costs between countries.

Jet2.com focuses on leisure routes from the UK to popular Mediterranean resorts. Its operating model is geared towards beach and family holidays, with an emphasis on service quality and predictable flight schedules.

airBaltic operates a modern fleet and covers routes between the Baltic states, Central Europe and Northern Europe. Cabin comfort and schedule reliability are combined with a moderate pricing level.

Pegasus Airlines is based in Istanbul and connects European cities with destinations in the Middle East and Asia. Flights via this hub make it possible to build budget routes between regions and expand travel geography.

Tips for Travellers

Planning trips with low-cost airlines requires greater attention to detail, as the low ticket price is based on a flexible service structure. The final cost of a journey largely depends on decisions made at the booking stage. For this reason, the following recommendations should be considered:

book tickets in advance — in this case, low-cost airlines usually offer the most attractive fares, especially on popular routes;

remain flexible with travel dates — midweek and off-peak flights are often cheaper than weekend departures;

take departure and arrival airports into account — secondary terminals can reduce ticket prices but may increase transfer time and costs;

check baggage conditions — basic fares typically include hand luggage only, so careful packing helps avoid additional expenses;

compare airlines and routes — combining flights from different carriers often helps lower the total cost and makes itineraries more flexible.

Market Context: Figures and Trends

Low-cost airlines account for a significant share of the European aviation market. According to Eurocontrol, in 2024 low-cost carriers accounted for around 30% of all flights operated in the region. This segment delivered the strongest growth in flight frequency on intra-European routes. The most active flows remain within the Schengen area, which represent more than 80% of low-cost airline routes.

The key competitive advantage of the segment is affordability. According to industry analysis, the average ticket price among major European low-cost carriers in 2024–2025 ranged from €65–70 to €120–130 on high-demand routes.

Changes are also evident in traveller behaviour. According to the European Travel Commission, the share of trips involving visits to more than one country continues to grow. Short trips lasting two to four days are becoming increasingly popular. This format directly supports demand for frequent and affordable flights between countries.

Analysts at International Investment note that the expansion of the low-cost flight segment is changing the logic of tourist mobility. The key factor is no longer accommodation costs, but the availability and frequency of air connections between regions. This strengthens the role of aviation as a core element of travel planning and influences the geography of tourism. Regional routes are gaining importance, with more direct flights appearing in smaller cities. Low-cost carriers are becoming one of the main tools for integrating secondary destinations into tourist itineraries, expanding the overall map of accessible travel.