Planning a Europe trip and want to save big on flights? You’re not alone. Whether you’re flying from London to Lisbon or hopping between Central and Eastern Europe, choosing the right low-cost airline can stretch your travel budget without sacrificing the experience.
These budget airlines offer reliable, safe, and surprisingly comfortable options for travelers who want to see more for less in 2025.
💡 Pro Tip: Skip checked luggage and travel with only a carry-on to avoid hidden fees.
👇 Here are the 10 best budget airlines for flying around Europe this year:
✈️ Ryanair – Best for Ultra-Cheap Flights in Europe
One of the most well-known budget airlines, Ryanair connects over 200 cities and offers some of the lowest fares you’ll find — if you book early.
📍 Best Routes: London to Rome, Madrid to Marseille
✈️ Book your flight with Ryanair on Skyscanner
🏨 Hotels in Rome or Marseille on Booking.com
🏨 Compare stays on TripAdvisor
Top Routes:
👉 Daily flights to major and smaller cities
👉 Ideal for short hops across Western Europe
👉 Watch out for fees on seat selection and baggage
✈️ Wizz Air – Top Choice for Eastern Europe Travel
Wizz Air is your go-to airline for affordable connections in Eastern and Central Europe, with hubs in Hungary, Romania, and beyond.
📍 Best Routes: Budapest to Warsaw, Sofia to Vienna
✈️ Fly with Wizz Air via Skyscanner
🏨 Hotels in Budapest or Vienna at Booking.com
🏨 Check traveler reviews on TripAdvisor
Top Routes:
👉 Great prices on Eastern and Balkan routes
👉 Clean, modern fleet
👉 Popular with digital nomads and budget backpackers
✈️ easyJet – Reliable Budget Option Across Western Europe
easyJet is a favorite among travelers for its balance of price, comfort, and wide coverage — especially from the UK.
📍 Best Routes: London to Nice, Amsterdam to Milan
✈️ Find easyJet flights on Skyscanner
🏨 Book stays in Nice or Milan at Booking.com
🏨 Compare hotel deals on TripAdvisor
Top Routes:
👉 Focused on UK, France, Italy, Netherlands
👉 Uses major airports (not far-out budget terminals)
👉 Free cabin bag + add-ons available
✈️ Vueling – Great for Budget Flights from Spain
Based in Barcelona, Vueling connects Spain with dozens of cities across Europe, making it a smart choice for Mediterranean travelers.
📍 Best Routes: Barcelona to Rome, Ibiza to Lisbon
✈️ Book Vueling flights on Skyscanner
🏨 Hotels in Barcelona or Lisbon from Booking.com
🏨 Explore stays on TripAdvisor
Top Routes:
👉 Good coverage in Spain, Italy, and France
👉 Clean cabins and good flight frequency
👉 Works great for one-way short trips
✈️ Transavia – Affordable Flights from France & the Netherlands
If you’re flying out of Amsterdam or Paris, Transavia is an underrated gem for cheap flights to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
📍 Best Routes: Amsterdam to Athens, Paris to Split
✈️ Book Transavia routes on Skyscanner
🏨 Hotels in Athens or Split on Booking.com
🏨 Compare deals on TripAdvisor
Top Routes:
👉 Seasonal routes to Greece, Portugal, Croatia
👉 Backed by Air France–KLM
👉 Flights depart from main city airports
✈️ Jet2 – Budget-Friendly UK to Europe Travel
Jet2 is perfect for travelers starting from the UK, offering great-value flights to popular beach destinations across Europe.
📍 Best Routes: Manchester to Faro, London to Mallorca
✈️ Find Jet2 flights via Skyscanner
🏨 Stay in Faro or Mallorca through Booking.com
🏨 Reviews and hotel picks on TripAdvisor
Top Routes:
👉 Top pick for British tourists
👉 Runs flight + hotel packages too
👉 On-time and trusted service
✈️ Volotea – Fly to Smaller Cities for Less
Volotea is ideal if you’re visiting mid-size or lesser-known cities. Think of it as the budget airline for offbeat European routes.
📍 Best Routes: Nantes to Venice, Palermo to Lyon
✈️ Book Volotea flights with Skyscanner
🏨 Find hotels in Venice or Lyon via Booking.com
🏨 Compare stays on TripAdvisor
Top Routes:
👉 Routes between small regional airports
👉 Simple booking process
👉 Budget-friendly and rarely crowded
✈️ Norse Atlantic Airways – Cheap Transatlantic Flights
Norse Atlantic offers one of the most affordable ways to cross the Atlantic — ideal for U.S.-to-Europe routes.
📍 Best Routes: New York to Oslo, London to Berlin
✈️ Book flights from the U.S. to Europe on Skyscanner
🏨 Hotels in Oslo or Berlin from Booking.com
🏨 Read reviews on TripAdvisor
Top Routes:
👉 Long-haul flights at budget prices
👉 Great for combining U.S. & Europe trips
👉 Check for seasonal deals
✈️ Play Airlines – Budget Flights with Iceland Stopovers
Play Airlines is Iceland’s rising low-cost carrier, offering cheap flights with optional layovers in Reykjavik.
📍 Best Routes: Boston to Berlin (via Reykjavik), Paris to Toronto
✈️ Book Play Airlines deals on Skyscanner
🏨 Stay in Reykjavik or Berlin through Booking.com
🏨 Compare hotels on TripAdvisor
Top Routes:
👉 Perfect for adding Iceland to your route
👉 Smooth flights with affordable tickets
👉 Easy online booking and flexible options
✈️ Eurowings – Affordable Flights Across Germany and Europe
Eurowings, part of Lufthansa Group, offers comfortable budget flights within Germany and neighboring countries.
📍 Best Routes: Berlin to Prague, Munich to Copenhagen
✈️ Book Eurowings routes via Skyscanner
🏨 Hotels in Munich or Copenhagen on Booking.com
🏨 View deals on TripAdvisor
Top Routes:
👉 Germany to major EU cities
👉 More legroom than typical budget airlines
👉 Flies from main airports, not remote ones
✅ Final Tips: How to Find the Cheapest Flights in Europe
📌 Book your tickets 30–60 days in advance
📌 Compare prices on Skyscanner regularly
📌 Fly mid-week (Tuesdays or Wednesdays) for better deals
📌 Avoid peak travel weeks like mid-July and early August
📌 Always check for baggage policies before booking
✈️ More Travel Help for Europe:
🌍 10 Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe This Summer (2025)
🏨 Top 7 Budget Hotels in Europe Under €50 (2025 Edition)
🌍 Budget-Friendly 7-Day Eastern Europe Travel Guide (2025)