Budget Europe Airlines 101 Guide

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It's no surprise that spring and summer are peak travel season in Europe, but what you may not know is that visiting multiple European cities on a single itinerary no longer requires train trips and Eurail Passes. Indeed, the low-fare airlines boom in Europe has revolutionized travel overseas, bringing an end to the long-standing dictum that if you weren't knighted or descended from royalty, you could forget about affording air travel. Now, budget-savvy travelers can take to the skies, too – rather than schlep luggage on fatigue-inducing ten-hour train rides (however quaint in theory they might seem) – and complete the same journey in a quick hour-long plane ride, often at less cost than the train to boot!

The major players in the low-fare European airlines sector, such as Ryanair, Easy Jet, and Air Berlin, have brought on a bold challenge to the traditional European carriers, such as Air France and British Airways, quite similar to what discount carriers like Southwest and Jet Blue have done in the US. Offering no-frills service at dramatically reduced prices, the new airlines have forced legacy airlines to slash their own fares considerably, creating a competitive and very consumer-friendly market overseas.

The success of premier European budget airlines has seen dozens of new smaller budget airlines emerge in recent years, resulting in a continuously expanding network of routes and a plethora of tempting air deals to go with them. We've grouped some 50+ discount European carriers in countries from East to West to help you make the most of your next European adventure and get around cheaper, faster, and with less hassle than ever before.

Visit the following links for budget airlines based in:

Central Europe
Covering Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands

Eastern Europe
Covering Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania

Scandinavia
Covering Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland

Southern Europe
Covering Spain, Portugal, and Italy

UK & Ireland
Covering England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland

HOW TO BOOK
Most discount airlines sell tickets via their websites or by telephone.

If you’re interested in cross-referencing multiple discount airlines simultaneously, there are several sites which can help you find the best rate quotes and schedules. Here are a few of the best and most popular:

www.openjet.com

www.skyscanner.net

www.dohop.com

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
While the budget airlines have their perks, there are a slew of pros and cons to weigh before booking, as well as some tricks of the trade that will make your experience better. We've outlined some of the most important factors to consider below, including tips on ticketing, airports, luggage, and on what to expect onboard:

TICKETING
• The lowest-priced fares are often limited in supply or available only on certain dates. Book early for the widest selection of fare deals, which are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and which usually increase in price as the travel date nears.

• The jaw-droppingly low fares quoted in attention-grabbing ads will have hidden costs, like taxes and fees. Prepare to see the original low fare doubled or even tripled in price by the time taxes and fees are applied.

• Many of these airlines offer low fares on one-way ticket purchase, allowing for flexibility in your travel plans. However, don't expect to receive any special discount for purchasing round-trip tickets, contrary to what legacy carriers offer.

• Most airlines will not refund tickets if travel plans need to be cancelled, except in certain extreme cases, such as a death of a family member. However, some carriers offer insurance at an additional cost, which allows for cancellations under specific conditions. Be prepared – once you buy it, you own it. Nearly all of the companies, though, will allow you to change the dates of your reservation for a fee.

• Be wary of booking too far in advance with discount airlines, except with the more established ones, such as EasyJet, Ryanair, or BMI Baby. There's a lot of turnover in the volatile air industry, and if the company you've booked with happens to go belly up, you might not only be stranded, but you might also have a headache on your hands trying to get your fare refunded.

AIRPORTS
• Several no-frill airlines provide service to smaller airports in remote locations. Factor in additional travel time and ground transportation costs for these secondary airports.

LUGGAGE
• Most low-fare airlines offer non-stop, direct flights from their hubs to another city. Layovers are not usually incorporated into travel, and, as such, extended service may require you to collect and recheck your luggage for the second part of the flight.

• Luggage restrictions may be more restrictive than on larger legacy carriers. Be sure to check individual airline policies in advance, as you'll be charged for additional or overweight luggage.

ONBOARD
• No-frills means just that. Expect to pay extra for food and beverages onboard.

• Several discount airlines don't issue seat assignments, so anticipate a bit of a free-for-all with fellow passengers when boarding the plane.

• Seating is infamously tight on many of these foreign planes, so be prepared to forego the legroom that you may be accustomed to on US airlines.

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