How to Get Cheap Airline Tickets to Europe

Finding a great deal on airfare to Europe isn't so hard to do. When air passenger numbers drop substantially for whatever reason, major airlines and low-cost carriers alike offer more deeply discounted airfare on all destinations, sometimes even during the holidays.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Passport Visa, depending on country of origin and length of stay in Europe Computer with Internet access Credit card
Passport
Visa, depending on country of origin and length of stay in Europe
Computer with Internet access
Credit card

Step 1

Know your dates of travel to Europe, but try to be flexible to attain the cheapest deals. Decide how far you are willing to travel to get to a major U.S. airport, which will usually be cheaper to fly out of. Peak travel occurs in summer, but you can sometimes find great last-minute deals.

Step 2

Check websites like Fare Compare to compare routes and fares of many airlines, and to check which dates are cheapest to fly. Travel Zoo provides many of the latest sales and promotions by major airlines and low-cost carriers as well. Aer Lingus, a low-cost carrier offering trans-Atlantic routes, will fly you round-trip from New York, Boston or Chicago to a few major cities in Ireland and England cheaply almost anytime of the year. If you are traveling on beyond the UK, check the websites of easyJet or RyanAir, both low-cost carriers that will fly to continental Europe for low prices. If you are considered a student or youth traveler, try STA Travel for discounted and flexible tickets to Europe. Children under 2 fly free on most airlines, and other children and senior citizens sometimes qualify for discounted airfare.

Step 3

When paying for your flight, use your frequent-flier miles credit card if you have one. Some credit cards offer cash back on your purchase amount if you book a flight during certain times of the year.

Step 4

Volunteer to be bumped to a later flight if your trans-Atlantic flight happens to be overbooked once you get to the gate. If you are not in a rush, you can benefit greatly from this situation---the airline will probably provide you with travel vouchers good for one year and free hotel stay until your next available flight.

Tips & Warnings

Subscribe to travel newsletters and email alerts from your favorite search engines and websites like Fare Compare or Travel Zoo to get weekly updates on the hottest deals and promotions from airlines and hotels, tailored to your preferred departure and arrival locations. If you have frequent-flier miles, use them when you book your flights. If you are not part of any such programs, sign up when you book your flights, and mention your member number when checking in to make sure that the miles are logged on your account. Going directly to an airline's website can often get you a better deal than booking through a search engine or travel agency website.

If you have frequent-flier miles, use them when you book your flights. If you are not part of any such programs, sign up when you book your flights, and mention your member number when checking in to make sure that the miles are logged on your account.

Going directly to an airline's website can often get you a better deal than booking through a search engine or travel agency website.

Check your airline's international baggage allowance policy so you are not charged unexpectedly for overweight, bulky or extra pieces of luggage.

Resources

Article Written By Suchi Rudra

Suchi Rudra has a degree in journalism and has been working as a writer for more than five years. She has been published in EuropeUpClose.com, "Transitions Abroad" and "Green Business Quarterly," among other publications.

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