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It used to be that the best way to travel around Europe was on the large train network that crisscrosses the continent. This network still exists and is in operation; in fact, there are plenty of high-speed trains that can take you from London to Rome or Prague quicker than you might think. But, there’s also a new kid on the block and that’s the discount airlines who are taking over European skies. These low-cost carriers are a bargain if you know these tips.
Sure, the major national carriers are still in existence and offer you more with your ticket than just a guarantee to get from point A to point B. But if you’re looking to travel and get a deal with low-cost carriers, then here are 5 tips you need to know for flying to and within Europe.
Know the Carriers and Where to Find Their Best Prices.
New discount carriers are popping up every day, and for the most part, you won’t find them on fare aggregator websites (like Orbitz or Expedia). You will need to look for their individual websites or on different aggregator sites like SkyScanner or Momondo.
Personally, I always use Momondo first. When I was recently looking at tickets to Portugal, I was so depressed that the ticket prices were coming up very high and only on major airlines. But I had seen RyanAir and EasyJet planes flying into Marrakech (one benefit of living within spitting distance of the airport).
When I looked at the websites for the low-cost options, the prices were MUCH lower. I realized that sites like Orbitz didn’t show these discount carriers. After some searching, I found Momondo. Here’s an example comparison. Let’s say you’re on vacation in Morocco and decide to go to Paris for the weekend – because you can do this. Momondo results return this;
Yes, that’s 163 euros per person. This is actually higher than normal as I sometimes can get flights for as low as 50-60 euros roundtrip to Paris or Madrid. Our recent trip to Portugal cost us under 200 euros TOTAL for two people using discount airlines.
If you searched the same weekend to visit Paris on Orbitz, your results look like this;
Yea…that’s a big difference wouldn’t you say?
Still, not all discount carriers will show up (but almost all do). If you want to do some additional research, some of the major discount carriers in Europe include RyanAir, EasyJet, Norwegian Air, Transavia, Vueling, or Wizz Air. Each has its own hub and often a regional selection of flights. Some even fly trans-Atlantic (like Icelandair and Norwegian Air).
Pay Attention to City Listings of Low-Cost Carriers
Discount airlines often fly into smaller city airports. So even though your ticket may be for Barcelona, if you’re flying RyanAir, you’re really flying into Girona, and it’s about 40 kilometers outside of Barcelona. Or using the same carrier, listing a flight to Frankfurt – it really flies into Hahn, 70+ miles away. This might not be ideal.
Then again, it might be perfect for where you want to go! Before booking, make sure the flight is really going where you want and that it is a savings. It may be less expensive to take the traditional route once you account for transportation to and from the airport.
Luggage Allowances
If you think luggage allowances and fees on US domestic flights are rough, they’re even worse on these carriers. If you want to check a bag, it will cost you about 50 euros, depending on the carrier. Some discounts are given for paying in advance online. You are allowed one carry-on with most airlines, but the size and weight restrictions are tightly controlled. If it says one piece of luggage, it means one piece of luggage, no extra bag, like a purse or shopping bag. They’re very strict. But, because of this, gate agents almost always ask for volunteers willing to check their bags at no cost.
Odds are, if you’re flying the discount airline, it’s because you want the deal and aren’t willing to pay to check your bag. With so many doing this, they need people to check their bags at the gate. While I won’t say count on it, every time I’ve flown with one of the low-cost carriers it’s been the case – so the odds are good!
No Frills
If you want anything to eat or drink on board – even water – you’ll have to pay for it. The costs are roughly the same as if you purchased a traditional airline ticket, but this can be one cost that adds up. For example, on a Norwegian direct flight from Oslo, Norway, to Marrakech, Morocco, the flight time is 5 ½ hours.
If you’re not prepared, that’s a long time to be without a drink or snack. Some say the seat space is less than on other airlines, but I think it’s quite comparable to US domestic airlines. But there are no hot towels for sure.
Hidden Costs
Then, of course, there are the hidden costs of flying. Low-cost carriers expect you to shoulder some of the work. They can offer low prices by reducing the number of staff they need, for example, at the check-in counter. If you forget to print your boarding pass before arriving at the airport, you’ll be charged to print it. If you want to select a seat or have priority boarding, that will come at a fee, too. Any extras above and beyond having a seat and a minimal amount of carry-on luggage, you will pay extra for.
If you’re shaking your head and wondering why anyone would want to fly with these airlines, the answer is simple: price. You can regularly find flights between major European cities for under 30 euros each way. Even last-minute flights can be very inexpensive.
It’s easy to book one-way tickets at a reasonable price, whereas with traditional airlines, a one-way ticket can cost you as much or more than a round-trip ticket. This also gives you multiple options for destinations. Fly into Madrid, take the bus around the country, hop on a train to Paris, and fly home from London; no need to loop back to Madrid.
Other budget-friendly posts that might help you:
- How To Set A Road Trip Budget
- Online Help for Your Vacation Budget
- Avoid These Pitfalls When Buying Your Souvenirs
- The Best Ways to Take Money Abroad When You Travel
- How To Save Booking Through An Online Travel Agency
- Free or Cheap Activities for Kids in Wisconsin
- 10 Places to Sleep While Traveling That Will Save You Money
