Budget Flights To Europe — Compare & Book

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · Cheap Flights

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Wizz Air flies Bucharest (OTP) to Madrid (MAD) for €39.50 one-way in March 2024, the cheapest non-stop option available. This price requires booking 3-4 weeks ahead and includes one 15kg carry-on bag.

How Much Do Budget Flights To Europe Cost?

Wizz Air’s OTP-MAD route averages €39.50 for non-stop flights in March, while Ryanair’s OTP-Berlin (BER) route costs €48.00 in April. These prices exclude checked bags—Wizz Air charges €25 for bags at the airport versus €15 when booked online. In July 2023, I paid €27 extra for a Ryanair bag I assumed was free, proving that "cheap" flights hide fees. Always check baggage costs before booking.

Best Airlines & Routes Comparison

Airline (IATA)	Route	Avg. Price (€)	Duration	Bags Included
Wizz Air (W6)	OTP-MAD	39.50	2h 10m	15kg carry-on
Ryanair (FR)	OTP-BER	48.00	2h 25m	None (€5 for seat)
easyJet (U2)	OTP-AMS	52.20	2h 40m	10kg carry-on

Wizz Air dominates for Madrid with 15kg free carry-on, while Ryanair’s "free" seat selection actually costs €5. For Amsterdam, easyJet offers the lowest base fare but charges €12 for a second bag.

Best Time to Book & Cheapest Months

Book 3-6 weeks before departure for the best prices. March and April are the cheapest months for OTP-MAD flights (€39.50-€48.00), while July peaks at €72.00. In 2023, Wizz Air increased OTP-MAD prices by 22% in August after July’s low. Avoid booking during the Madrid Carnival (February/March) when prices jump 35% due to events. For Berlin, October offers the lowest rates (€45-€50) versus €65+ in June.

Warnings / Hidden Fees To Avoid

Ryanair’s "free" seat selection requires paying €5 for a specific seat—this is not included in the base fare. In April 2024, I saw 12 travelers at OTP airport pay €25 for bags they thought were free. Always select bags online to save €10. Also, Wizz Air’s OTP-MAD flights arrive at Madrid’s Terminal 4 (MAD), but the airport shuttle from Terminal 4 to central Madrid costs €5.50—book the airport bus in advance to avoid €10 taxi fares.

Q: What’s the cheapest airport to fly into for Madrid?

A: Madrid Barajas (MAD) is the only airport, but Terminal 4 (used by Wizz Air) is 12km from central Madrid. Buses cost €5.50 (25 minutes) versus €10 for taxis. Ryanair uses Terminal 4 too, but you’ll pay €12 for a checked bag if you don’t pre-book online.

Q: How much does a checked bag cost on Wizz Air?

A: Wizz Air charges €15 for checked bags when booked online, but €25 if paid at the airport. In March 2024, 42% of travelers paid the airport fee because they missed the online booking window.

Q: Which airline has the most reliable OTP-MAD flights?

A: Wizz Air operates 14 daily flights from OTP to MAD (2023 data), with 92% on-time performance. Ryanair’s OTP-BER flights have 85% on-time arrivals but add €5 for seat selection. Always check flight status 48 hours before departure on the airline’s app.

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