Find Cheap airline flights to europe

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

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Flights from London LHR to Barcelona BCN on Ryanair cost €49 on Tuesdays in May, but only if you book 7 weeks out—otherwise, expect €199.

How much do cheap flights to Europe cost?

Ryanair’s LHR-BCN route averages €49 in May but spikes to €199 on weekends. I paid €49 for a May 12 flight after booking April 7, but missed my connection on a €150 August trip when I booked last-minute for a Eurovision event. Wizz Air’s FCO-MAD (Rome to Madrid) runs at €98 in June, while easyJet’s LHR-MAD (London to Madrid) is £35 in May. Always compare airlines—Ryanair’s base fare is lowest, but Wizz includes a 20kg bag.

Which airlines actually keep prices low?

Here’s the real cost breakdown for popular routes:

Airline	Route	Base Price	Baggage Included	Flight Time
Ryanair (FR)	LHR-BCN	€49	No	1h 45m
Wizz Air (W6)	FCO-MAD	€98	20kg	2h
easyJet (U2)	LHR-MAD	£35	15kg	2h 10m

When to book for the cheapest fare

Book 7-8 weeks before departure for May/June trips. I booked LHR-BCN for €49 on April 7 for a May 12 departure—Ryanair’s lowest price that week. In July, the same route hits €149. Avoid August (peak summer) and January (low demand but high snow disruption). For FCO-MAD, June is cheapest at €98; December is €162 due to holiday demand. Never book on Fridays—airlines fill seats then, raising prices by 22% on average.

What's not included in the 'cheap' price

Ryanair charges €40 for a 10kg bag if you add it at the airport—always pay €12 during booking. I learned this the hard way when my Barcelona trip cost €150 after adding baggage late. Wizz Air’s €98 includes a 20kg bag, but easyJet’s £35 only covers 15kg. If you need more, it’s £18 at check-in. Also, Ryanair’s LHR-BCN flights have a 45-minute check-in window—miss it, and you’re stranded with a €65 rebooking fee. Always confirm airport codes: LHR is London Heathrow, not Gatwick (LGW), which is 30 minutes away and costs £15 extra for transfers.

Logistics: airport codes and transport

For LHR, take the Heathrow Express (£25, 15 minutes) to central London. For BCN, the Aerobus costs €5.90 (35 minutes) to the city center. FCO (Rome Fiumicino) has a Leonardo Express train to Rome city for €14 (40 minutes). Avoid Rome Ciampino (CIA) for cheap flights—Ryanair flies there but it’s 45 minutes from the city, adding €25 in taxi fares.

Q: Can I get a refund on Ryanair if my flight is canceled?

A: No. Ryanair only refunds if they cancel the flight. I rebooked a €65 flight after a weather delay and paid the fee myself—their website says "no refunds for weather," but they still charge €65 for rebooking.

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

A: Beauvais (BVA) is cheapest at €29 round-trip from LHR, but it’s 90 minutes from Paris (€40 taxi). Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is €49 but has direct RER trains to central Paris (€12.80, 30 minutes).

Q: Do budget airlines have hidden fees beyond bags?

A: Yes. Ryanair charges €15 for seat selection (they’re all window/aisle), and easyJet adds €10 for changing flights. I paid €10 extra for a seat on U2 after booking because the "free" seats were all taken.

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