How to Find Cheap Flights to Europe

Plan your trip for the low season -- the smartest way to save money. Excluding the holiday season, flights from November through March are usually less than half the price of flights during the summer months.

Begin looking for flights at least three months before your trip. The most affordable deals require early booking, and ticket prices typically rise in the final two weeks before flights leave.

Check comparison websites such as Travelocity (travelocity.com), Expedia (expedia.com) or Cheap Tickets (cheaptickets.com) to see which airlines have the best deals for the dates of your trip. Vayama (vayama.com) specializes in discount international flights. Write down the prices before checking the same flights on the airline websites, as some airlines promise the best deals on their sites.

Keep your European destination flexible, as some cities are less expensive to fly to than others. Traditionally, the most affordable flights to Europe fly into Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin and Zurich, according to "The Rough Guide to Germany" and Rick Seaney, chief executive of Farecompare.com speaking to "The New York Times."

Keep your travel dates flexible, as a flight may be cheaper late in the week rather than early in the week, or vice versa.

Keep an eye out for code shares, which are two airlines selling each other's flights. You'll know you have spotted a code share when you see two identical departure times and routes from different airlines. Check both websites to see which has the better deal, as one airline may sell a ticket on the exact same flight for less than the other airline.

Sign up for email alerts when flight prices drop, a service available on many airline websites. Sometimes you can specify the price you're willing to pay; the website will send you an email when prices meet your budget.

Wait to purchase your tickets on a Tuesday. Some airlines have sales that are offered on Tuesdays.