How to Find Cheap Flights to Europe: Tips and Tricks

Dreaming of Europe but dreading the airfare? The good news is that with the right strategies, you can unlock cheap flights that leave you with more to spend on gelato in Rome, tapas in Barcelona, or a river cruise in Budapest. Here’s a practical guide packed with booking tactics, flexible search methods, and lesser-known hacks to help you fly for less.

1. Start Early and Use the Right Search Tools

The sweet spot for finding affordable transatlantic flights is usually 2–8 months before departure. Use flight comparison tools to scan multiple airlines at once.

Instead of endlessly searching, sign up to receive curated cheap flight deals from your home airport. That way, you’ll be first to know when prices drop — by 40-90% off reglular pricing — or when rare mistake fares appear hundreds of dollars below normal prices.

2. Stay Flexible with Dates, Routes, and Airports

Flying midweek — especially Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays — often costs less than weekend departures. If your travel window is open, try shoulder season travel (spring or autumn) when demand is lower, crowds are thinner, and the weather is still pleasant.

Flexibility with airports also pays off. Search for “gateway cities” — major hubs that are cheaper to fly into — and then take a low-cost airline, train, or bus to your final destination. Here’s more on the gateway city hack.

3. Compare Round Trip, One-Way, and Multi-City Tickets

One-way tickets can be a good deal on budget carriers, but for international flights on major airlines, round-trip fares are often better value. Don’t overlook multi-city or open-jaw tickets (flying into one city and out of another). These can be surprisingly affordable and make it easier to cover more ground without backtracking.

4. Watch for Flash Sales and Error Fares

Error fares — caused by airline pricing glitches — are rare but worth pouncing on when you spot them. Likewise, flash sales often appear for only 24–48 hours. Being ready to book quickly can make the difference between scoring a bargain and missing out. Toby’s deal alerts highlight these opportunities in real time.

5. Book Directly with the Airline When Possible

Even if a third-party site shows a slightly cheaper fare, booking directly with the airline usually means more flexible change policies, easier refunds, and better customer service if something goes wrong.

6. Make the Most of Layovers and Stopover Programs

Routing through a major hub can cut costs — and sometimes give you a bonus destination for free. Several airlines offer stopover programs that let you stay in their home city for a day or two at little or no extra cost, with perks like free hotel stays, airport transfers, or guided tours.

• Turkish Airlines: Free city tours or discounted hotel stays in Istanbul.

• TAP Air Portugal: Stop in Lisbon or Porto for up to five nights.

• Icelandair: Explore Reykjavík for up to seven days without paying extra airfare.

Stopovers can be a great way to turn one trip into two without breaking your budget — and Toby's flight alerts often highlight these opportunities when they offer exceptional value.

7. Look Beyond the Obvious Routes

Flying into a nearby country and then hopping to your final destination on a budget carrier can be much cheaper. Sometimes simply tweaking your arrival or departure city opens up huge savings.

Final Thought

Scoring cheap flights to Europe is all about timing, flexibility, and creativity. By mixing these tactics — and keeping an eye on curated cheap flight alerts — you can turn your dream trip into a reality without draining your savings.