Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Though the exchange rates for the U.S. dollar, euro and British pound continue to fluctuate, traveling through Europe can still be affordable. The key lies in using small tricks when looking for and booking flights. While Eurailpass once was the most economical way to bounce across Europe, budget airlines are expanding their routes rapidly, making quick travel from country to country economical as well.
Flying to Europe from the United States can be the most expensive part of your trip. However, when booking your trip keep these tips in mind.Try flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday. These are generally the cheapest days to travel. If possible, book your flight out of a city with a major international airport, such as New York; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; or Chicago. Similarly, it will be cheaper to fly into one of Europe's major airports, such as Dublin, London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Frankfurt or Rome. The cheapest time to visit Europe, for accommodations as well as transportation, is from late fall to early spring.
For travel within Europe, there are several budget airlines to choose from. Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air all offer inexpensive flights to cities across Europe. Check the websites of these airlines regularly; they run flight specials every day of the week. Keep in mind, however, that these airlines hardly ever fly out of or into major airports. This provides you with an opportunity to see many locations not overrun with tourists, but can also present transportation issues when visiting major cities. For example, most budget flights fly into London Gatwick, which is a 45-minute train ride or more than an hour-long shuttle ride from the city. Also, travel with as little luggage as possible. Carry-on luggage is free, but most airlines charge for checked luggage, either by number of bags or by weight.
While planning ahead can enable you to get great deals, waiting until the last minute can be a money-saver as well. Waiting until the day before to book your ticket, or even showing up at the airport the day of the flight to see if there's any availability can save you money. Airlines are looking to fill their flights, and by flying standby you can often pay half the regular price of a ticket. Flying standby is not a good option for people with concrete plans, however; standby essentially means you wait until an hour or less before the flight to find out if there is still space. If there are still seats, or if someone doesn't show up, you've made a great deal. If there's no room, you're back to square one.