Cheapest European Cities to Fly Into: Budget-Friendly Gems!

Europe is one of the most popular destinations for US travelers. Going’s team of Flight Experts spends hundreds of hours every week searching for flight deals to the continent (along with other destinations around the world). Despite rising prices for domestic fares, deals to Europe can be a relative bargain, and we continue to send our members fantastic fares for trips to European cities large and small. 

Those cheap flights come with high standards. We don’t send deals on certain budget airlines, and we don’t send our members deals for ultra-last-minute dates or flights with terrible routing. In short, we only send our members truly great deals—with a savings of $500 per ticket, on average—and we know that when it comes to scoring cheap international flights, the city you fly into matters as much as where you're departing from. 

If you're itching to visit one of these cities, the great news is that economy deals pop up frequently. But, even if your desired city isn’t on the list, it doesn’t mean you need to overpay to get there. We search for deals to every city and often find deals to out-of-the-way spots like Basel, San Sebastian, Split, Santorini, and many, many more. 

Here are the top ten cheapest cities in Europe to fly into from the US, based on the volume of deals we found departing US airports and flying to each city. 

What makes some cities cheaper to fly into than others?

Some European destinations are more budget-friendly to fly into than others—but why is that? When determining airfare prices, several factors come into play, and understanding them can help you snag a cheaper ticket. Here are the factors that we’ve kept in mind to craft the ranking you will find below:

• Airlines: Pricing can feel like a bit of a mystery, but key factors like cabin class, demand, and competition on specific routes impact costs. For example, budget airlines, such as Ryanair and easyJet, make a huge difference when it comes to ticket prices by operating from secondary airports or offering fewer in-flight services. “But how does that make a country cheaper to fly into?” you may wonder. Well, which airlines offer flights into each country and under what circumstances (direct flights, demand, cabin class, etc.) make some countries cheaper than others when analyzing overall costs.
• Seasonality: Timing is everything! Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so they tend to skyrocket during peak travel seasons—like summer vacations, Christmas, and school holidays. To score the lowest prices, aim to travel off-season, when the weather is still pleasant but the crowds (and costs) have thinned out. Some European countries seem to be at peak season constantly. So being strategic when deciding your travel dates and destination is key to snagging great deals.
• Departure airport: Not all airports are created equal. While larger, well-connected hubs like New York (JFK) or Chicago (ORD) often have more competition and better deals, smaller airports might offer lower landing fees, too, especially if low-cost airlines are expanding their routes there. Thus, switching airports can help you save a bundle. This way, some cities may be cheaper to fly into than others based on the airports where planes to those cities depart from. 
• Flexible travel dates: If you don’t have to travel on specific dates, a world of saving can open before you. Off-peak departures, midweek flights, and surprise deals are golden opportunities that will go easy on your wallet. Just be careful not to wait too long, though—as availability shrinks, the price of last-minute tickets might shoot up. Cities with a wider variety of flights have higher chances of presenting surprise deals, so staying open to changing your flight to another date is a great way to save some bucks.

Top 10 cheapest European cities to fly into from the US (2024)

Now that you’re fully informed about what influences ticket pricing, it’s time to discover which European cities offer the best bang for your buck with our real flight deals. Make sure to jot them down at the top of your travel bucket list!

10. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon isn’t just a charming place with colorful architecture—it’s also a top budget-friendly entry point into Europe. From the US, there are direct flights from San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, and Washington DC that land at Humberto Delgado Airport (formerly Lisbon Portela Airport) (LIS), the city’s main hub. Among the nearly 60 airlines that serve this airport, you’ll find TAP Air Portugal, Portugal’s flag carrier and ultra-low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet. This makes this city a prime spot for affordable intra-Europe travel and a spot that can be reached from 132 destinations around the world. With direct flights to hotspots like Paris, Barcelona, and Rome, LIS is a fantastic gateway to explore Southern Europe and beyond.

• Food: $25–$35 per day
• Accommodation: $90–$150 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $20–$50 for city tours and museum tickets
• Number of economy class deals in the past year: 71

Examples of previous deals we’ve sent to Lisbon (in economy unless otherwise noted):

• Chicago and Austin to Lisbon for $451 roundtrip 
• Grand Rapids to Lisbon for $510 roundtrip 
• San Francisco to Lisbon for $2,798 roundtrip nonstop in business class

>> See cheap flights to Lisbon

9. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is both scenic and surprisingly affordable to fly into from nine US cities on both coasts, including New York and Los Angeles, as well as the Midwest. Copenhagen Airport (CPH), the third-busiest hub in Northern Europe, connects the Danish capital to Nordic destinations like Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, and even the Faroe Islands. Plus, CPH is served by multiple airlines for all types of travelers: Norwegian and Scandinavian Airlines offer competitive fares on comfortable flights, while low-cost carriers like Ryanair open up further European connections. If you’re looking for a starting point that lets you explore Scandinavia, Copenhagen is the perfect choice for you.

• Food: $35–$50 per day
• Accommodation: $150–$250 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $25–$50 for attractions like Tivoli Gardens and canal tours​
• Number of economy class deals in the past year: 78

Examples of previous deals we’ve sent to Copenhagen (in economy unless otherwise noted): 

• Miami to Copenhagen for $299 roundtrip 
• Washington, DC to Copenhagen for $377 roundtrip
• Minneapolis to Copenhagen for $545 roundtrip over Thanksgiving

>> See cheap flights to Copenhagen

8. Amsterdam, Netherlands 

Amsterdam is home to the world’s third-busiest airport, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS), which offers a wide range of direct flights from 19 US cities at relatively low prices. As a major hub for KLM and other SkyTeam airlines, AMS provides seamless connections to cities across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Budget carriers like Transavia and easyJet also make it easy to score low-cost flights to popular destinations such as Berlin, Prague, and Barcelona. Tired of flying? Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is also particularly well-served by rail. There’s a station directly adjacent to the airport with strong connections throughout the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, as well as Northern France and Germany. 

• Food: $35–$45 per day
• Accommodation: $150–$220 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $15–$35 for museum visits and canal tours​
• Number of economy class deals in the past year: 82

Examples of previous deals we’ve sent to Amsterdam (in economy unless otherwise noted):

• Baltimore to Amsterdam for $426 roundtrip
• Boston and NYC to Amsterdam for $475 roundtrip nonstop
• Houston to Amsterdam for $1,244 roundtrip nonstop in premium economy 

>> See cheap flights to Amsterdam

7. Milan, Italy

Milan, Italy’s business and fashion center, is a budget-friendly option for travelers looking to explore Italy and Europe. With six airlines offering direct flights from the New York area and being one of the most popular destinations in the world, competition helps keep prices low. In regard to airports, this town has three main hubs: Malpensa Airport (MXP) for long-haul international flights, as well as Bergamo Airport (BGY) and Linate Airport (LIN) for domestic and European routes. 

Both of them offer easy access to low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air, so you can hop to other Italian or European cities easily. Just keep in mind that many of these connections depart from Bergamo Airport, requiring some time to move in between connections. Plus, Milan’s excellent transportation network offers even more travel possibilities, as it connects you to the Alps, Switzerland, and France by high-speed rail or sleeper trains.

• Food: $35–$45 per day
• Accommodation: $120–$180 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $20–$45 for tours and museum tickets​
• Number of economy class deals in the past year: 99

Examples of previous deals we’ve sent to Milan (in economy unless otherwise noted): 

• San Francisco to Milan for $423 roundtrip 
• Washington, DC to Milan for $476 roundtrip 
• NYC to Milan for $2,000 roundtrip nonstop in business class over Christmas/New Year’s Eve

>> See cheap flights to Milan

6. Madrid, Spain

Visiting Madrid is both affordable and convenient: 12 US cities offer direct flights from 5 different airlines to this destination. The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) sees a wide range of flights take off to more than 200 destinations worldwide.

Madrid is a paradise for budget aviation. Most major cities in Western or Central Europe can be reached for less than $80 roundtrip and sometimes far less. Iberia also maintains an extensive network of regional flights within Spain, though for many domestic destinations you’ll find high-speed rail to be faster and better priced if you’re traveling with luggage. Madrid is particularly well-placed if you’re planning to visit Morocco or the Canary Islands as well, with prices under $50 roundtrip on many dates.  

• Food: $25–$40 per day
• Accommodation: $100–$160 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $15–$40 for walking tours and museum visits​
• Number of economy class deals in the past year: 100

Examples of previous deals we’ve sent to Madrid (in economy unless otherwise noted): 

• Des Moines, Omaha, and Pittsburgh to Madrid for $453 roundtrip 
• Miami to Madrid for $363 roundtrip 
• Long Beach to Madrid for $580 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Madrid

5. Rome, Italy

Rome barely squeaked ahead of Madrid as one of the top 5 cheapest cities on our list thanks to a slightly lower average Going deal price at $506 (its lowest Going deal price sent all year was also lower, at $195). 

Rome boasts Italy’s largest and most well-connected hub, the Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO), which is served by direct flights from ten US cities on three airlines. Where FCO falls short with some airlines, Rome’s secondary hub, Ciampino Airport (CIA), fills in the gaps. Together, these two airports not only represent a major gateway to all domestic destinations in Italy (including Naples, Florence, and Venice) but also sell the cheapest tickets for flights to other popular European hotspots, such as Ibiza, Mallorca, Malta, Croatia, and the Greek Islands.

• Food: $30–$45 per day
• Accommodation: $100–$170 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $20–$60 for Colosseum and Vatican tours
• Number of economy class deals in the past year: 100

Examples of previous deals we’ve sent to Rome (in economy unless otherwise noted):

• Chicago to Rome for $490 roundtrip 
• Raleigh to Rome for $493 roundtrip 
• NYC to Rome for $456 roundtrip nonstop

>> See cheap flights to Rome

4. Barcelona, Spain 

Barcelona’s El Prat Airport (BCN) is the second-busiest airport in Spain, and for a good reason—it’s a hub for low-cost airlines LEVEL and Vueling, and a focus city for Air Europa, Iberia, easyJet, and Ryanair. The best part? You can get here in a breeze with a budget-friendly direct flight from major US cities like New York City or Washington, DC, to kick off your adventure throughout Europe. Since Barcelona has a strategic location, it offers flying routes to almost any airport in the UK, Mediterranean cruises, and convenient rail connections that take you across Spain and Southern France by train. It is number four on our ranking thanks to its low landing fees and taxes compared to other major European hubs.

• Food: $25–$40 per day
• Accommodation: $110–$170 per night for mid-range hotels 
• Excursions: $25–$50 for La Sagrada Familia tours and other attractions​
• Number of economy class deals in the past year: 105

Examples of previous deals we’ve sent to Barcelona (in economy unless otherwise noted):

• Atlanta to Barcelona for $497 roundtrip
• Washington, DC to Barcelona for $379‍
• Billings, Great Falls, and Aspen to Barcelona for $450 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Barcelona

3. Dublin, Ireland

From the US, there are direct flights on five airlines from 14 US cities to Dublin’s international airport (DUB). Serving as the headquarters of Aer Lingus national airline, this hub is an ideal starting point to discover top destinations throughout Ireland and the UK, such as Manchester, Cardiff, and the Isle of Man, as well as several cities throughout Western Europe. Ryanair also operates out of DUB, which makes it easy to score low-cost flights across the country. Plus, if you aren’t a big fan of long waits, Dublin’s pre-clearance facilities let you skip those pesky customs lines at checkpoints, making your entry as smooth as possible.

• Food: $25–$45 per day
• Accommodation: $120–$190 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $25–$50 for Guinness Storehouse visits and city tours
• Number of economy class deals in the past year: 122

Examples of previous deals we’ve sent to Dublin (in economy unless otherwise noted):

• Detroit to Dublin for $487 roundtrip
• NYC to Dublin for $477 roundtrip nonstop over the summer
• Philadelphia to Dublin for $418 roundtrip nonstop over St. Patrick’s Day  

>> See cheap flights to Dublin

2. London, UK

London is currently at the peak for US travelers seeking a budget-friendly trip. London is home to six major airports—Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), London City (LCY), and London Southend (SEN)—with Heathrow being the busiest airport in Europe. 

Heathrow and Gatwick offer the cheapest deals by far, but generally speaking, travelers can get to London from the US with about 30 nonstop routes from major cities across the entire US. From London, you can fly to practically any European city via British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, or hop on a Eurostar train to Paris or Brussels.

• Food: $35–$55 per day
• Accommodation: $180–$250 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $30–$65 for major attractions like the Tower of London​
• Number of economy class deals in the past year: 136

Examples of previous deals we’ve sent to London (in economy unless otherwise noted): 

• Miami and Orlando to London for $212 roundtrip nonstop
• Chicago, NYC, LA, San Francisco, and Washington, DC to London for $252 roundtrip
• Omaha, Madison, and Wichita to London for $568 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to London

1. Paris, France

Since it’s served by more than 20 routes from the US, Paris remains a top budget-friendly European destination. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), the biggest and the second-busiest hub in the Old Continent, provides connections to cities all over the world through airlines like Air France, easyJet, and Vueling. 

For even more affordable fares, you can look for flights to alternative hubs, such as Paris Orly Airport (ORY) and Paris Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA). From the US, there are more than 20 direct routes departing from major and smaller cities. Then from Paris, it’s easy to reach Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, or catch a high-speed train to explore the rest of France and beyond, making it the perfect spot to start your budget-friendly European tour.

• Food: $40–$50 per day
• Accommodation: $150–$250 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $15–$45 for tours of the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower​
• Number of economy class deals in the past year: 159

Examples of previous deals we’ve sent to Paris (in economy unless otherwise noted):

• NYC to Paris for $230 roundtrip nonstop
• Baltimore to Paris for $380 roundtrip 
• Detroit to Paris for $400 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Paris

What is the most affordable European country to visit?

Based on the latest data available to our team, France stands out as the most affordable destination for US tourists. Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is not only a major global hub, but it also consistently offers some of the best airfare deals.

Once in France, budget travelers can keep costs down and reach farther French destinations or nearby countries by taking advantage of Paris’s alternative hubs, such as Paris Orly Airport (ORY) and Paris Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA), to score additional savings with budget carriers such as Air France, easyJet, or Vueling. Plus, Paris’s solid rail connections provide seamless connections to other European destinations, which allows everyone to explore the Old Continent without spending a fortune.

How far in advance should you buy plane tickets to Europe?

While most airlines release their flights up to a year in advance, jumping on tickets too early hardly provides a price benefit nor guarantees the best deal. However, it is also true that booking last minute won’t get you the cheapest deals. 

The best time to book flights to Europe (or any other international destination) is between 2 and 8 months, which is considered the “Goldilocks Window,” the time frame where prices are the cheapest and great deals appear; for peak seasons, like summer and the winter holidays, you should add a couple months to this time frame. Thus, to boost your chances of maximizing your savings, trust Going’s search engine and flight alerts to deliver unbeatable flight deals. With us, you’ll never miss out on a steal!

Tips for scoring the cheapest flights to Europe

Jetting off to Europe doesn’t have to drain your bank account. With a few smart strategies and a little insider know-how, you can find cheap flights and explore the entire European continent for a bargain.

Set up price alerts

When looking for budget-friendly flights, airfare price alerts from sites like Going are your best friend. Our dedicated team of Flight Experts uses sophisticated technology to compare thousands of flights daily to bring you the best deals. Simply set up the alerts on our app, sit back, and let us do the rest.

Use flexible dates search

Flexibility is also your best friend when hunting for deals. Shifting your travel dates can help you dodge the higher prices and busy crowds that come with popular departure days like Mondays and Fridays. If you’re wondering how to find cheap flights, keeping your dates open is one of the smartest tricks in the book.

Consider alternative airports

Exploring alternative airports can lead to unexpected savings. Major hubs may offer more routes and flights, but they’re much more expensive than smaller ones. Try the Greek Islands Trick to get the best airfares: Fly into a cheaper airport close to your final destination, then use budget airlines or trains to get the rest of the way.

Use points and miles

Don’t sleep on enrolling in airline loyalty programs. Sign up for free and start earning miles and points that can be redeemed for special discounts. Members of loyalty programs also enjoy extra perks, like exclusive deals, free luggage, priority boarding, and even occasional free upgrades.

Keep an eye out for mistake fares

Error fares are like hidden treasures in the world of travel deals—rare but golden opportunities to save big. These mistake fares happen when an airline accidentally lists a ticket for way less than intended. They’re unpredictable and disappear fast, which is why our Premium and Elite memberships give you instant alerts, so you can grab these deals before they vanish.

Book within the Goldilocks Window

The closer you get to your traveling day, the more you’ll pay for plane tickets. To score the best deals, aim for the Goldilocks Window, a specific window of time (typically around 2–8 months before departure for an international trip) when cheap flight offers are most likely to pop up.

Explore multi-city flight options

If you have a flexible itinerary, consider booking a multi-city flight. In no more than five minutes, you can often add extra destinations to your trip for little to no additional cost. Just remember to check out whether this option is more convenient than buying the short-haul flights one by one before making any purchase.

Save on your flights to Europe with Going!

With a Going membership, finding an affordable flight to Europe is easier than ever. Premium members get exclusive access to incredible international economy deals to Europe’s most budget-friendly cities, often saving an average of $500 on international trips and $200 on domestic roundtrips.

For those who prefer luxury in the skies, our Elite membership unlocks thousands in savings on business and first-class international flights. No matter how you like to travel, our team of Flight Experts is here to make your European adventure both affordable and enjoyable.

Start a 14-day membership trial today, and start receiving personalized flight deals straight from your preferred airport. With Going, your dream trip to Europe is just a click away!

Methodology

The Flight Experts at Going look at thousands of possible airfare deals every week. When a deal meets our standards, we send it out to our 2+ million members, saving them an average of $500 on each international flight.

Deals to some cities in Europe are simply more prevalent than deals to others, and there are a number of factors that impact fares and frequency of deals—including the number of airports in the city, the number of airlines serving those airports, and the amount of competition on various routes to and from that city.

To determine which cities in Europe are among the cheapest for Americans to reach right now, we looked at metro areas with a population of at least 700,000 people. We then tallied up the total number of deal emails we sent to members arriving at those airports between April 15, 2023, and April 15, 2024.

We chose to rank based on the volume of economy deals and average price because—while the price of the single best deal we found to one city might be lower than the price of the single best deal we found to another—volume is the better indicator of a traveler’s likelihood of snagging a great price.