The Cheapest Cities To Fly Into in Europe (and Where You’ll Save the Most)

Travel is volatile right now, we know. Fuel costs, economic uncertainty, and shifting airline capacity have left many travelers wondering whether they should book a trip at all heading into the rest of 2026. We don’t have a crystal ball, but we do have data points. While they show that fares are certainly rising, they also show that great deals are still all around us. We know because Going travel experts continue to send them to our members day after day. 

If you’re leaning toward just not booking the trip this year, it’s understandable. But if you’re looking for someone (or some deal) to convince you otherwise, let this be it. 

The European destinations below are the ones where Going's Flight Experts found deals most consistently over the past year. While deals are never guaranteed, that track record suggests these cities are likely places to see deals in the months ahead, too. We're talking roundtrip fares like $237 to Barcelona, $346 to Helsinki, and $382 to Palermo. They might not always be at the height of summer, but, yes, these prices still exist even now.

If you're itching to visit one of these cities, the great news is that economy deals pop up frequently. 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 Nice, Porto, Vilnius, and more. And those cheap flight deals come with high standards. They’re not on certain budget airlines, or for ultra-last-minute dates, or flights with terrible routing (unless it’s an amazingly good fare). We only send truly great deals, with savings of $550 per ticket on average. 

Here were the top 10 most affordable cities in Europe from the US in the past year. Looking toward Europe in the near future? Let your flight search begin here if you want the best chance at scoring a deal. 

Summarize with ChatGPT | Perplexity | Claude | Google AI Mode | Grok

What makes some cities cheaper to fly into than others?

Some European destinations are more budget-friendly to fly to than others. Why’s 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 have influenced the rankings below.

• Airlines: Pricing can feel like 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. Recent research on intra-European airfares found that low-cost carriers consistently offer significantly lower fares than full-service airlines, especially on competitive routes with high demand.
• 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. Recent research confirms that airfare seasonality is still strong, with prices climbing during holiday peaks and dropping noticeably during off-peak periods. Some European countries seem to be in peak season constantly, so being strategic about your travel dates and destination is key to finding 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, often making them some of the best airports for cheap flights. Therefore, 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, you can save some serious money. 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. As availability shrinks, the price of last-minute tickets skyrockets. Cities with a wider variety of flights have higher chances of presenting surprise deals. If you stay open to adjusting your travel dates, you can save a chunk of change.

Want to learn more about flight price dynamics? Find out when flight prices drop, and see how to book at the best time for maximum savings.

Top 10 cheapest European cities to fly into from the US (2026)

Now that you’re equipped with what influences ticket pricing, it’s time to dig into which European cities offer the best bang for your buck with our flight deals. (Food, accommodation, and excursion costs below are estimates and will vary depending on your travel style.)

Want to learn more about finding the best flight deals? Read our expert tips on how to find the best flight deals and save big on your next trip.

10. Palermo

Palermo (PMO) has (not so) quietly become the most accessible Sicilian gateway for US travelers. United operates a seasonal nonstop from Newark, Neos flies direct from JFK over the summer, and a quick connection through Rome or Milan covers the rest of the year. What's changed is who can actually afford to go: Palermo used to be a NYC and BOS thing, with everyone else facing prices so steep they were forced to more accessible cities, like Amsterdam and London. Now, steep discounts are putting it on the menu for just about anyone willing to slightly stretch their Europe budget. 

• Food: $20–$35 per day
• Accommodation: $90–$150 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $15–$25 for markets, cathedrals, and catacombs

Sample economy deals we’ve sent to Palermo:

• NYC to Palermo for $382 roundtrip
• Cedar Rapids to Palermo for $488 roundtrip 
• LA to Palermo for $553 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Palermo

9. Venice

Venice (VCE) offers nonstop flights from a half dozen major US cities, primarily on the East Coast (plus Dallas) making this bucket-list destination pretty accessible either nonstop or with a single layover. While smaller than Rome and Milan, VCE allows you to hop right from the flight to the gondola with shorter lines and quicker arrivals compared to larger hubs. It’s also well connected to other European cities via full-service and low-cost carriers, and high-speed trains make it easy to continue on to Florence, Milan, or Verona.

• Food: $35–$55 per day
• Accommodation: $140–$220 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $20–$50 for St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and gondola or walking tours

Sample economy deals we’ve sent to Venice:

• Boston to Venice for $349 roundtrip
• Los Angeles to Venice for $371 roundtrip 
• Cincinnati to Venice for $439 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Venice

8. Helsinki

Helsinki (HEL) is Finnair's home base and one of the better-connected Nordic hubs for US travelers, with nonstop service from New York (JFK), Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, and Miami, most operated by Finnair year-round or seasonally. As a Oneworld hub, HEL also offers easy onward connections to the rest of Scandinavia, the Baltics, and beyond. The airport itself is famously efficient: A single compact terminal means connections can take as little as 35 minutes. The city rewards visitors with a design-forward culture, world-class food, and some of Europe's most beautiful archipelago scenery. Just note that on-the-ground costs run higher than in Southern European destinations.

• Food: $40–$60 per day
• Accommodation: $130–$200 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $20–$40 for museums, islands, and city tours

Sample economy deals we’ve sent to Helsinki:

• NYC to Helsinki for $346 roundtrip
• Atlanta and Seattle to Helsinki for $361 roundtrip 
• Denver to Helsinki for $371 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Helsinki

7. Rome

Rome boasts Italy’s largest and most well-connected hub, Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino (FCO), served by direct flights from more than a dozen US cities. Where FCO falls short with some airlines, Rome’s secondary hub, Ciampino (CIA), fills in the gaps. Together, they represent a major gateway to Italy’s domestic destinations, like Naples, Florence, and Venice, and they also offer cheap tickets 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

Sample economy deals we’ve sent to Rome:

• NYC to Rome for $319 roundtrip 
• Miami to Rome for $346 roundtrip 
• San Francisco to Rome for $405 roundtrip nonstop

>> See cheap flights to Rome

6. Athens

Athens (ATH) serves as Greece’s largest airport and main international gateway, with nonstop flights from about 9 major US cities. As the hub for Aegean Airlines and a major Star Alliance connection point, ATH offers convenient flights across Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. It’s also a key starting point for exploring the Greek islands, with frequent short flights and ferry connections to destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, making it easy to combine city sightseeing with island hopping.

• Food: $30–$50 per day
• Accommodation: $100–$170 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $15–$35 for archaeological sites, museums, and guided city tours

Sample economy deals we’ve sent to Athens:

• NYC to Athens for $325 roundtrip
• Nashville to Athens for $436 roundtrip 
• Los Angeles to Athens for $438 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Athens

Flight hack: You can use the 24-hour rule to cancel your flight with no fees. Here’s how.

5. Paris

Served directly by more than 20 cities from the US, Paris is a top budget-friendly European destination, whether you’re lingering in the City of Light or jetting onward to nearby destinations. Charles de Gaulle (CDG), among the biggest and busiest hubs in Europe, provides connections to cities all over the world on full-service and budget carriers alike. For more deals, you can look for flights to or from alternate hubs, such as Orly (ORY) and Beauvais-Tillé (BVA). 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​

Sample economy deals we’ve sent to Paris:

• NYC and Newark to Paris for $312 roundtrip
• Chicago to Paris for $388 roundtrip 
• Portland to Paris for $435 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Paris

4. Madrid

More than a dozen US cities offer direct flights to Madrid. Not only is Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) well connected (you can access more than 200 destinations worldwide from here), but it’s also a paradise for budget aviation. Most major cities in Western or Central Europe can be reached for less than $80 roundtrip, or if you’re looking to visit Morocco or the Canary Islands, you’ll often find prices under $50 roundtrip. Iberia 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. 

• Food: $25–$40 per day
• Accommodation: $100–$160 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $15–$40 for walking tours and museum visits​

Sample economy deals we’ve sent to Madrid:

• Chicago to Madrid for $299 roundtrip 
• Miami to Madrid for $300 roundtrip 
• Los Angeles to Madrid for $347 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Madrid

3. Dublin

From the US, there are direct flights from more than 20 US cities to Dublin (DUB). As Aer Lingus’ headquarters, it’s an ideal starting point to discover top destinations throughout Ireland and the UK (think Manchester, Cardiff, and the Isle of Skye), plus other cities in Western Europe. Ryanair also operates out of DUB, making it easy to score low-cost flights across Ireland. And if you aren’t a fan of long waits, Dublin’s pre-clearance facilities let you skip the customs lines at checkpoints, making for a smoother entry.

• Food: $25–$45 per day
• Accommodation: $120–$190 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $25–$50 for Guinness Storehouse visits and city tours

Sample economy deals we’ve sent to Dublin:

• NYC and Boston to Dublin for $239 roundtrip
• Minneapolis to Dublin for $288 roundtrip 
• Seattle to Dublin for $309 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Dublin

2. Milan

Milan, Italy’s business and fashion center, is actually a budget-friendly option for travelers. With six airlines offering direct flights from the New York area alone, competition keeps prices low. Milan has three main hubs: Malpensa (MXP) for long-haul international flights, plus Bergamo (BGY) and Linate (LIN) for domestic and European routes. The latter offer access to low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air, so you can hop to other Italian or European cities easily (just keep connection times in mind if you’re transferring between airports). Milan also has an excellent transport network, which connects you to the Alps, Switzerland, and France by high-speed rail or sleeper trains in a flash.

• Food: $35–$45 per day
• Accommodation: $120–$180 per night for mid-range hotels
• Excursions: $20–$45 for tours and museum tickets​

Sample economy deals we’ve sent to Milan:

• NYC to Milan for $326 roundtrip 
• Boston to Milan for $354 roundtrip 
• Las Vegas to Milan for $426 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Milan

1. Barcelona

Barcelona’s El Prat (BCN) is one of the busiest airports in Europe. Easy to see why, as it’s a hub for low-cost airlines LEVEL and Vueling and a focus city for several other airlines. From the US, you can get here in a breeze with direct flights from 12 US cities. Barcelona has an ideal location, offering onward routes to almost any airport in the UK, Mediterranean cruises, and rail connections across Spain and Southern France. It’s historically earned a high spot on our list thanks to low landing fees and taxes compared to other 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​

Sample economy deals we’ve sent to Barcelona:

• NYC to Barcelona for $237 roundtrip
• Miami to Barcelona for $316‍
• Salt Lake City to Barcelona for $363 roundtrip 

>> See cheap flights to Barcelona

Ready for a European adventure? Read our Europe travel tips, and learn how to make the most of your getaway.

What is the most affordable European country to visit?

Based on the latest data, Spain, Italy, and Ireland stand out as the most affordable destinations for US tourists, based on flight cost (not including on-the-ground costs). Barcelona (BCN) and Madrid (MAD) both offer plenty of competition, Italy has several highly accessible hubs from the US, and Dublin is seeing a good uptick in routing from major US and international airlines.

Once in Spain, Italy, or Ireland, travelers can take advantage of low-cost tickets on budget airlines such as easyJet, Vueling, or Ryanair, or make use of Europe’s extensive rail system for seamless connections to other European destinations.

Remember: Timing is key! Learn when to book a cheap flight to score the lowest fares and maximize your savings.

Want to go even farther for less? These are the cheapest places to fly internationally from the US in 2026, including Colombia, Canada, the Caribbean, and beyond.

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 rarely gets you the best deal. Similarly, waiting until the last minute to book can be a gamble—and an expensive one at that. 

The best time to book flights to Europe (or another international destination) is 2–8 months before departure. This is considered the “Goldilocks Window,” the time frame when great deals are most likely to pop up. For peak seasons, such as summer, winter holidays, or St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, you should add a couple months to this time frame. To boost your savings, trust Going’s search engine and flight hacks to deliver unbeatable flight deals. We never miss a steal, so you won’t either. 

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 on a budget.

Set up flight 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 a flight alert in the 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 can also be more expensive than smaller ones. Try the Greek Islands Trick to get the best airfares: Fly into a cheaper airport—big or small—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. Going Premium and Elite memberships give you the first bite when deals like these drop. 

Book within the Goldilocks Window

The closer you get to departure 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 the purchase.

Save on 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 $550 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 trial today, and receive personalized flight deals straight from your preferred airport. With Going flights, 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 $550 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, we considered destinations with at least one deal every couple of weeks. Note: A single deal can span multiple routes depending how widespread the discounted price was across US departure airports. We then ranked them using a weighted scoring system: 30% average Going deal price, 35% discount off the normal price, and 35% frequency of deals sent. This approach reflects not just how cheap a destination can get, but how reliably affordable it is, a better signal of where travelers are likely to find deals heading into the rest of the year.

Data reflects deals sent between April 20, 2025, and April 19, 2026.