Discount European Airfares Comparison
Take a look at this comparison of European airfare from the two main European budget airlines against student airfare finder, Student Universe (fares subject to change, of course; random Thursday was used).
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London to Paris (one way airfares):
- Ryanair
- Fare: $2.28
Taxes and fees: $26.87
Total: $29.15 - Easyjet
- Fare: $31.42
Taxes and fees: $8.35
Total: $39.77 - Student Universe
-
Fare: $243.54
Taxes and fees: $53.90
Total: $297.44
Discount European Airlines' Downsides
- Budget European airlines don't pamper you - don't expect in-flight meals, free drinks or pre-booked seats with a cheap European airfare.
- You will probably be landing at a remote European airport - as much as an hour away from your destination city or even in a different country (check with the airline before you reserve in order to make ground transportation plans - some small European airports do not have regular shuttle service).
- Discount European airlines seem to be more subject to flight cancellation than those of major carriers, and meal and hotel vouchers are usually not provided in the event of cancellation.
- Some budget European airlines allow you very little luggage and charge exorbitantly if you exceed baggage limits. Cheap European airfare king Ryanair, for instance, limits checked baggage -- the limits change -- and you'll be charged around $9 per pound (that baggage fee changes, too) for any excess; the airline also advises against checking sporting goods such as bicycles and snowboards - they will accept items like these for a charge of around $32, but be advised that the carrier usually accepts no responsibility for them: if they break it, they ain't buyin' it. Ryanair's got serious checked luggage charges; plus, they've added up to $8 in credit card fees. And know that Ryanair's flight insurance only applies to UK residents -- don't pay for it if you live elsewhere. The key to a cheap Ryanair flight, then, is carry on bags, paying cash, and reading the fine print when you book.
Discount European Airlines Upsides
Any amount of hassle for a cheap European airfare may be worth the huge savings; you can use the bucks to visit more destinations.In our example above, you'll save $268.29 using budget European airline Ryanair over Student Universe to fly from London to Rome. Use that money!
- On Ryanair, hop from Rome to Paris for $53.69, Paris to Dublin for $24.62 and back to London for $40.48 and have $149.50 left. Wow -- that's a lot of travel money.
Booking Budget European Airlines
- New budget European airfare search engine Wegolo is the way to go tto search all the cheap European airlines at once.
- Attitude Travel has a very complete list of every single budget European airline. A few favorites (direct links):
