Traveling to Europe can be expensive, but once you're there, you can save money by traveling on budget airlines. These airlines offer deeply discounted airfare, though take care to compare all fees as they could raise prices substantially. While these airlines may not visit the busiest airports, they can get you across Europe quickly and cheaply.
Pegasus Airlines
The European budget airline market is full of options depending on where you will be traveling. With advertisements throughout the continent offering flights at the cost of a local train, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying a ticket before realizing that the added fees can double or triple the cost of a flight. However, a recent comparison of total flights costs found that the little known Turkish carrier, Pegasus Airlines, offers the lowest overall total price for travel in Europe. With over 45 destinations worldwide and a free baggage allowance of up to 20 kilograms, Pegasus has quickly established itself as one of Europe’s best budget airlines.
WizzAir
Established in 1993, the Hungarian-based budget airline, WizzAir, has long been considered a leader in the European market. The no-frills airline maintains low cost by flying out of lesser-known (and often non-centrally located) airports. However, the savings are passed down to its clients as flights run as low as 20 Euro for certain routes. Although checked bag and airport check-in fees do apply, WizzAir was rated the second cheapest airlines in Europe for overall total price.
RyanAir
As one of the most well known budget airlines in Europe, RyanAir offers extremely low base ticket prices while flying to dozens of destinations throughout Europe and the Middle East. However, thrifty travelers must be prudent when planning and booking flights on RyanAir as they are also known for the plethora of fees charged including carry-on baggage, reserving seats, and booking flights with a credit card. To make things easier, RyanAir website offers a unique "Fare Finder" option that overviews prices to all destinations from a specific city. If you're looking to get out of town without having a certain destination in mind, RyanAir's Fare Finder is the perfect option for booking the cheapest holiday possible.
EasyJet
EasyJet, the United Kingdom’s largest airline, flies to over thirty countries in Europe and the Middle East while offering some of the cheapest prices of any low-cost carrier. Prudent travelers can find tickets for as low as 30 Euro even in peak travel seasons if they are flexible and attentive. Although checked baggage will cost extra whether booked in advance or at the airport, EasyJet does not charge for hand luggage and unlike other budget airlines, there is no maximum weight
