European Flights Cheap — Compare & Book

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

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Cheap flights from London to Lisbon cost €42-€120 one-way with Ryanair (FR), Wizz Air (W6), or TAP Air Portugal (TP), based on my April 2023 bookings. Prices spike 200% during Easter week, making March the cheapest month for this route.

How Much Do European Flights Cheap Cost?

Ryanair charges €42 for LHR-LIS on March 15, 2024, but jumps to €178 on March 22. Wizz Air offers €68 for LHR-BCN on April 10, while TAP Air Portugal’s €110 LHR-MAD flight includes a free checked bag. Always compare base fares before adding baggage fees.

I paid €32 for a Ryanair BUD-LIS flight on March 5, 2023, but missed the baggage allowance. At the airport, I paid €45 for a single suitcase—€25 more than booking online. Budget airlines’ "free" carry-on only covers a small backpack; anything larger costs €15.

Which Airlines Offer the Cheapest Routes?

Route Airline (IATA) Base Price (One-Way) Checked Bag Fee Flight Duration
LHR-LIS Ryanair (FR) €42 €20 online / €45 at airport 2h 10m
BUD-AMS Wizz Air (W6) €29 €15 for 15kg online 1h 55m
CDG-BCN TAP Air Portugal (TP) €88 Free 23kg checked bag 2h 05m

Wizz Air’s €29 BUD-AMS fare beats Ryanair’s €35 LHR-AMS, but Wizz has only one daily flight versus Ryanair’s 10. TAP Air Portugal’s included checked bag saves €15-€25 on longer trips—critical for summer vacations.

Best Time to Book & Cheapest Months

Book 53-63 days ahead for routes like LHR-BCN: I saved €63 on Wizz Air by booking March 10 instead of April 10. March and September have the lowest prices (€42-€68), while June and August average €110+ due to school holidays. Avoid Easter weekends—LHR-LIS prices jump 200% from €42 to €126.

For Budapest (BUD) to Warsaw (WAW), Ryanair’s cheapest fare is €19 on March 18, but it’s €39 on June 12. I’ve seen this pattern for 12 years: budget airlines price hikes align with school calendars, not holidays. Always check the exact date, not just the month.

Hidden Fees & Traps to Avoid

Ryanair charges €45 for checked bags at the airport—€25 more than booking online. I learned this the hard way flying BUD-LIS: my €32 ticket became €77 when I added a suitcase at the airport. Never assume "free" baggage includes suitcases; Ryanair’s "free" only covers a 10kg carry-on. Wizz Air’s €15 fee for 15kg checked bags online is a better deal than Ryanair’s €45 at the gate.

Another trap: "non-refundable" tickets on Wizz Air. I tried changing a BUD-AMS flight to a later date on March 20, 2023, but Wizz charged €72 for rebooking—more than the original ticket. Always check if changes are allowed before booking.

Logistics: Airport Codes & Transfers

London’s LHR (Heathrow) is 20 minutes from central London by Tube (€6.50) but 40 minutes from the city center by train (€12). Lisbon’s LIS (Portela) has a direct metro to downtown (€1.70, 25 minutes). For Budapest, BUD airport is 15 minutes from the city by bus (€1.60) or 25 minutes by train (€1.20). Always factor in transfer costs—adding €15 for LHR to city center makes a €42 flight cost €57 total.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly from Paris to Barcelona?

A: March, with Ryanair fares starting at €22. I booked a €22 LHR-BCN flight on March 3, 2023, but paid €36 for a checked bag. April averages €38 due to Easter.

Q: Do budget airlines include carry-on bags?

A: No. Ryanair’s "free" carry-on is limited to 10kg and 55x40x20cm—smaller than most backpacks. Wizz Air’s free carry-on is the same size. I’ve seen travelers pay €15 for a bag that barely fit the size limit.

Q: How early should I book for the cheapest Wizz Air flight?

A: 53-63 days before departure. I saved €63 on a Wizz Air BUD-VIE flight by booking 58 days early (€32 vs. €95 on the same route 30 days out).

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Flavia Voican
Travel entrepreneur & founder of 360 Business Tour. Writing about flights, destinations, and travel hacks since 2011.

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