The cheapest cities in Europe to fly into: save money on flights to Europe

If you are looking for the cheapest place to fly into Europe from the US, you have many options to choose from. Depending on your departure point and the time of year, you can find some great deals on flights to various European destinations.

Here are some of the cheapest cities to fly into in Europe from the US, grouped by different airlines and points of departure.

Reykjavik

Dublin

London

Lisbon

Madrid or Barcelona

Paris

Zurich

Frankfurt

Milan

Rome

Amsterdam

Copenhagen

Stockholm

Warsaw or Krakow

Reykjavik

One of the cheapest places to fly into in Europe is Reykjavik, Iceland. You can find flights to Reykjavik for as low as $300-$400 round-trip from many US cities, such as:

• Boston

• Chicago

• Denver

• Minneapolis

• New York

• Seattle

• Washington DC.

The airline that offers these flights is Icelandair, the national carrier of Iceland. You can only find these prices if they have a sale.

The other carrier you can use for the flight is Air Canada. It used to have decent prices but became very expensive as of 2024. As you can see from the picture above, the cheapest I was able to find was $530.

The price for airfare goes down if you have a long layover in Reykjavik. It's a good way to see some of the country.

Reykjavik city

Reykjavik is the capital and largest city of Iceland. It is also a popular tourist destination for people who enjoy nature.

Besides its natural beauty, culture, nightlife, and cuisine also praised. You can use Reykjavik as a base to explore other parts of Iceland. You'll be able to see geysers, volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs. And if you're lucky, you'll see northern lights.

However, if you want to stay in Reykjavik for longer than one day, it can be expensive. You can fly to a cheaper place after your short layover.

Accommodation in Reykjavik

Accommodations in Reykjavik are not budget priced! The cheapest I was able to find for 2 people was a twin room with a shared bathroom for $103 a day.

So, taking all factors in an account, if you're on a budget, fly to Reykjavik with a one night stop over, see as much as you can, and fly to a more budget destination from my list in another post.

Dublin

Dublin, Ireland is one of the cheapest cities in Europe to fly into. You can find flights to Dublin for around $400-$500 roundtrip from:

• Boston

• Chicago

• Los Angeles

• New York

• Philadelphia

• San Francisco

• Seattle

• Washington DC

The airline that offers these flights is Aer Lingus, the Irish flag carrier. You can fly to Dublin to celebrate St. Patrick's day for around $430 if you book your flight on sale. I've see prices around $330 on sale. When you see them, book right away!

However, keep in mind that just because Dublin is the cheapest city to fly into (with the purpose of continuing further on a budget airline), you trip won't be budget if you stay there for your vacation.

And yet, Dublin as a city is really worth visiting.

Dublin city.

Dublin is a charming city with many things to see. You can explore its historic landmarks. Better known are: Trinity College, Dublin Castle, or St. Patrick’s Cathedral. You can also enjoy its famous pubs, breweries, and music scene.

And don’t forget to visit some of the stunning natural attractions nearby:

• The Cliffs of Moher

• the Wicklow Mountains

• the Giant’s Causeway.

Dublin accommodations

Dublin is expensive to stay in. The cheapest room I was able to find for 2 people with a decent reviews score was over $215 a night. The cheapest night that wasn't that good was $175 a night (see picture below).

So, once again, if you're on a budget, fly to Dublin, stay for 1-2 night with 2-3 full days tosee as much as you can, and fly to a more budget destination from my list in the section above.

London

London-Heathrow (LHR) in the UK is one of the cheaper places to fly into Europe from the US, especially from the East Coast. You can find cheap flights to this airport on British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, or American Airlines.

This is the hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, two of the largest airlines in Europe. It is also a base for many other airlines, such as American Airlines, Air Canada, Emirates, and Qatar Airways. London-Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports, offers an extensive network of flights to over 200 destinations around the globe.

You can continue your trip from London to other parts of Europe flying on budget airlines from London’s three other busy airports:

• London-Gatwick (LGW): This is the second-busiest airport in the UK and the ninth-busiest in Europe. It has two terminals and one runway. It serves many destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. It is also a base for many low-cost carriers, such as EasyJet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Ryanair.

• London-Stansted (STN): This is the fourth-busiest airport in the UK and the 22nd-busiest in Europe. It has one terminal and one runway. It serves mainly European destinations, but also some in Africa, Asia, and North America. It is also a hub for many low-cost carriers, such as Ryanair, EasyJet, and Jet2.com.

• London-Luton (LTN): This is the fifth-busiest airport in the UK and the 30th-busiest in Europe. It has one terminal and one runway. It serves mainly European destinations, but also some in Africa and Asia. It is also a base for many low-cost carriers, such as EasyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.

However, you should spend a few days in London first.

London city

London is an amazing city with a long and interesting history that goes back over 2,000 years. It has a wide range of historical sites, like old Roman buildings and castles from the medieval times. There are Tudor palaces, Victorian museums, Gothic churches, and modern skyscrapers to see.

Some of the most iconic and must-see historic landmarks in London are:

• The Tower of London

• Westminster Abbey

• Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

• Buckingham Palace

• St Paul’s Cathedral

  Accommodations in London

  London is not a cheap place for accommodations. You will find better deals if you stay further away from the London city center.

Lisbon

Another cheap place to fly into in Europe is Lisbon, Portugal. You can find flights to Lisbon for around $500-$600 roundtrip from many US cities. You can find cheap lights from:

• Boston

• Chicago

• Miami

• New York

• San Francisco

• Washington DC.

The airline that offers these flights is TAP Portugal, the national carrier of Portugal.

Lisbon is a beautiful and vibrant city with a rich history, culture, and cuisine. It is still relatively inexpensive, compared to the rest of Europe. However, things change fast, especially for Lisbon's hotels and B&B.

You can enjoy its amazing and unique architecture and colorful neighborhoods. Lisbon also has lively nightlife and delicious pastries. Plus, Lisbon is a great base for exploring other parts of Portugal, such as Porto, Evora and the Algarve. Make sure to visit Sintra and its palaces, especially Sintra National Palace.

TAP Portugal often gives you a chance to explore Lisbon for free with a 1-day layover. This means you can visit two destinations for the price of one! They do this because they know that once you see Lisbon, you will want to return! Because Lisbon has so many amazing attractions and sights to see.

Here is a short list of most famous attractions in Lisbon:

• Belem Tower

• Jeronimos Monastery

• Tram 28

• Praça do Comércio

• Castelo de São Jorge

• National Coach Museum

For traveling beyond Lisbon, read my guide on how to travel around Portugal.

Also read the guide on how to use buses in Portugal and what bus companies are out there.

Lisbon accommodations

Lisbon's prices for hotel rooms are still almost 4 times cheaper than Dublin. That is if you don't mind to share a bathroom. Rooms are more expensive when comes with a private bathroom.

Here is a screenshot of the cheapest rooms for around $50 a night for 2 people. The price was based on the 4 nights stays.

Still, there are choices for a budget travelers, so you can stay in Lisbon for a while and see all the wonderful old alleys (completely for free!).

Madrid and Barcelona

Another cheap place to fly into in Europe from the US is Madrid. Or, you can fly to Barcelona, Spain. You can find flights to Madrid or Barcelona for around $350-$700 round-trip from many US cities. You can fly cheaply from:

• Boston

• Chicago

• Los Angeles

• Miami

• New York

• San Francisco.

The airlines that offer these flights are Iberia or Norwegian Air Shuttle, both low-cost carriers.

Madrid and Barcelona are both amazing cities with a lot to see and do.

Madrid is the capital and cultural center of Spain, with its impressive museums, royal palace, and lively squares. Madrid has an unforgettable and lively vibe and impressive architecture.

Depending on the season, Madrid can be cheap to stay in as well to fly into.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and a modern and busy city with its unique architecture, beaches, and nightlife. Barcelona also has great beaches.

While Barcelona is the most expensive city in Spain, Spain is still relatively cheap, compared to the rest of Europe.

Both Madrid and Barcelona are also great starting points to explore the cheapest regions of Spain: Andalusia, with its amazing Mudejar architecture, Valencia, or Galicia.

Take a day trip from Barcelona to see medieval architecture of L'Espluga de Francoli, one of the gems of Catalonia.

Accommodations are more expensive in Barcelona, compared to Madrid. Keep this in mind.

Paris

When planning a tip to Europe, remember that Paris, France is a popular place to fly cheaply into in Europe. You can find affordable round trip flights to Paris for around $350-$800 from these US cities:

• Atlanta

• Boston

• Chicago

• Dallas

• Detroit

• Los Angeles

• New York

• Philadelphia

• Seattle

Air France and Delta Air Lines are the main airlines that offer these flights. Paris has three airports, but most direct flights go to Charles de Gaulle.

Paris is famous for its romantic vibes. The good news is that it’s one of the cheapest European cities to fly to from USA.

Who hasn’t heard about Paris? It’s a city that has something for everyone. You can admire its famous landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, or Notre Dame Cathedral. You can also enjoy its famous cuisine, fashion, art, and culture. And don’t forget to explore some of the charming neighborhoods. Montmartre, Marais, or Latin Quarter are the best!

Paris has been is some turmoil lately, and because of that some hotels offer very cheap prices.

Paris is also a great hub to travel to other European cities by train, bus, or plane. You can find some cheap and convenient options to get to London, Berlin, Rome, or Amsterdam.

Paris is a good city to take a train or local flight to Nice, to explore its beaches and see amazing and exotic Eze garden.

Below is the cheapest air price I was able to find to Paris from Los Angeles. These are direct flights, so they are more expensive. You can get a better deal when air tickets go on sale.

Zurich

Zurich can be a cheap place to fly into Europe from the US, if airfares are on sale. It ranks as the 8th cheapest place by both skyscanner.com and kayak.com, with average roundtrip prices ranging from $800 to $900.

However, I got a round-trip ticket from Portland, Oregon to Zurich in February, returning in March for $329 roundtrip. That’s an outstanding price, isn’t it? I saw a similar price next February, so that might be the reason for such a low-ticket price—the season.

Just keep in mind that while your air ticket was cheap, everything else won’t be. Zurich is quite expensive. But it’s possible to find bargains there.

Zurich is the largest city and the financial center of Switzerland. It is on the banks of the Limmat River and Lake Zurich, and surrounded by the Alps. Zurich has a cute old town, great lake-views, and many attractions. Not to be missed are the shopping streets.

Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the main international airport serving Zurich and the rest of Switzerland. It is also a hub for Swiss International Air Lines, Edelweiss Air, and Helvetic Airways.

Zurich Airport has direct flights from these US cities:

• Boston

• Chicago

• Los Angeles

• New York

• Washington DC.

The airlines that offer these flights are:

• SAS

• TAP Air Portugal

• LOT Polish Airlines

• United Airlines

• Air France

• Delta Air Lines

• KLM

• American Airlines

Zurich Airport (ZRH) is unique as it is the winner of World Travel’s ‘Best Airport in Europe’ Award. It offers many services and amenities for travelers, such as VIP service, showers, lounges, day use rooms, and an app with real time information.

Zurich Airport also has a train station that connects it to the city center and other destinations in Switzerland and Europe. It goes right through the old town and is very convenient.

You can also take a bus from the airport to your final destination. Be prepared that public transportation in Zurich is more expensive that you are used to.

Zurich accommodations are rather expensive. If you're on a budget, stay for 2 nights only and make the most of it.

Zurich has a convenient train network going to and from Zurich airport from the center

Frankfurt

Frankfurt (FRA) in Germany is one of the cheapest places to fly into Europe from the US, especially from the Midwest or the West Coast.

This is the hub for Lufthansa, the largest airline in Europe and a founding member of Star Alliance. It is also a base for many other airlines, such as United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and ANA. You can find cheap flights to this airport on Lufthansa, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or American Airlines.

Frankfurt is a busy cosmopolitan city in Germany, known for its modern buildings and its financial and trade fair center. Frankfurt’s long and rich history goes back to the Roman times and the Holy Roman Empire.

Some of the most popular attractions in Frankfurt are:

• The Römerberg

• The Main Tower

• The Museum Embankment

• The Goethe House

• The Palmengarten

Frankfurt is a great city to fly into Europe to explore cities around Rhine river, like Heidelberg.

Frankfurt's accommodations are affordable! Here is an example of hotels and even apartments for about $60 a night.

Milan

Milan airport can be a cheap place to fly into Europe from the US. Milan has earned its place among the top 10 most budget-friendly destinations to fly into in Europe from the US. An average roundtrip price of $850. However, this may vary depending on your departure point, the time of year, and the airline you choose. I found some roundtrip air prices to Milan for around $450 during the off-season from the West coast.

Milan is the second-largest city and the economic center of Italy. It is located in the northern region of Lombardy, and surrounded by the Alps. Milan is a fashionable and cultural city with a lot of attractions, such as museums, cathedrals, galleries, and shopping streets. You can also enjoy its cuisine, nightlife, opera, and sports.

Milan has three airports that serve international flights:

• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

• Milan Linate Airport (LIN)

• Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY).

Milan Malpensa Airport is the main airport and the hub for Alitalia, Italy’s flag carrier. It has direct flights from:

• New York

• Atlanta, Miami

• Boston, Chicago

• Los Angeles

• San Francisco.

Here is a list of airlines that offer flights from the US to Milan:

• - Alitalia

• - Delta Air Lines

• - American Airlines

• - United Airlines

• - Air Italy

• - Emirates

Milan Malpensa Airport, or MXP (the airport code) is also one of the cheapest places to fly into Europe from SE Asian on Singapore airline. My ticket from BKK (Bangkok) to MXP was only $324 this year.

Milan Linate Airport is the closest airport to the city center and mainly serves domestic and European flights. It is also a base for Alitalia and EasyJet. Milan Linate Airport has direct flights from some US cities, such as New York or Philadelphia. The airlines that offer these flights are Alitalia or American Airlines.

Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport is the farthest airport from the city center and mainly serves low-cost carriers. It is a hub for Ryanair and Wizz Air. Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport has no direct flights from the US, but you can connect via other European cities.

Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport is usually the cheapest airport to fly to in Milan. My last flight from Lisbon to Bergamo Orio was $24. Flying withing Europe is so much cheaper than flying from the US to Europe!

You can travel to other cities from there, like Genoa. The bus ride from Bergamo Orio al Serio to Genoa on FlixBus was cheap ($12), fast and fun. I am making a video about it.

MXP is also a good spot to travel from to Cinque Terre, Sestri Levante, Santa Margherita Ligure and LaSpezia.

Milan is a convenient place to travel to Venice, Florence, and Rome as well.

If you are looking for a cheap place to fly into Europe from the US, Milan can be a good option, and it's easy to travel from there beyond.

Milan has convenient bus connection between all its airports: MXP, LIN and BGY.

Rome

Rome is one of the most historic and captivating cities in the world, with the most fascinating history. And it could also be one of the cheapest cities to fly into Europe from some of the US cities, but only when tickets go on sale. The average non-sale price is around $700.

Rome has two airports that serve international flights: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA). Rome Fiumicino Airport is the major airport and the hub for Alitalia, Italy’s flag carrier. It has direct flights from many of US cities, such as New York, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

These flights are offered by several airlines, including:

• Alitalia

• Delta Air Lines

• American Airlines

• United Airlines

• Air Italy

• Emirates

Rome Ciampino Airport is the secondary airport and mainly serves low-cost carriers. It has no direct flights from the US, but you can connect via other European cities. Rome Ciampino Airport is usually the cheapest airport to fly to in Rome from other parts of Europe and Asia.

Rome is not a cheap city to stay in for long, but one must spend in Rome at least 2 full days. Some of the most popular and must-see attractions in Rome are:

• The Colosseum

• The Vatican City

• The Trevi Fountain

• The Pantheon

• The Spanish Steps.

• Castel Sant’Angelo (featured on the picture) - a great example of old and historic buildings and castles in Europe.

• The Borghese Gallery

Below is the sample airfare I found from Portland, Oregon to Rome on a round-trip. When sale happens, the price goes to around $540.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands could be a cheap place to fly into. You can find flights to Amsterdam for around $900-$1000 roundtrip from these US cities:

• Atlanta, Boston

• Chicago

• Los Angeles

• Minneapolis

• New York

• Seattle.

The airlines that offer these flights are KLM or Delta Air Lines, both major carriers.

Amsterdam is a beautiful and lively city with a lot of charm. You can enjoy its canals, bridges, museums, markets, and cafes. You can also visit some of the nearby attractions such as the tulip fields, windmills, or cheese farms.

Amsterdam is also a great hub to travel to other European cities by train, bus, or plane. You can find some cheap and convenient options to get to Paris, Brussels, Berlin, or London.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen (CPH) in Denmark is one of the cheapest cities in Europe to fly into. This is the hub for SAS, the Scandinavian carrier and a member of Star Alliance. It is also a base for many other airlines, such as Norwegian Air Shuttle, EasyJet, Ryanair, and Finnair.

Copenhagen Airport has direct flights from many US cities, such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington DC. The airlines that offer these flights are SAS, Norwegian Air Shuttle, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Air Canada.

Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is the largest airport in Scandinavia and one of the busiest in Europe, with flights to over 160 destinations worldwide. It is also one of the most efficient and user-friendly airports in the world, winning several awards for its quality, service, and sustainability.

Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, and a cultural, economic, and political center. You can enjoy its architecture, design, museums, parks, and nightlife. You can also visit some of the nearby attractions such as the Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid statue, or the Kronborg Castle.

You can find affordable accommodations in Amsterdam as well.

Stockholm

If you’re flying in from North America, Stockholm Arlanda Airport is one of more affordable airports to land into in Europe. But this is another city where, while it can be relatively cheap to fly into, everything else will be expensive. You can find flights to Stockholm for around $800-$900 roundtrip from:

• Boston

• Chicago

• Los Angeles

• New York

• Washington DC.

The airline that offers these flights is SAS, the Scandinavian carrier.

Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden, and a cultural, political, and economic hub. You can enjoy its beautiful scenery, historic buildings, museums, parks, and nightlife.

You can also visit some of the nearby attractions such as the archipelago (if it’s warm enough), the royal palace, or the ABBA museum.

It is also a major hub for SAS and other low-cost airlines that offer cheap flights within Europe.

Warsaw or Krakow

And the last cheap place to fly into in Europe is Warsaw or Krakow, Poland. You can find flights to Warsaw or Krakow for around $800-$900 roundtrip from:

• Chicago

• New York.

The airlines that offer these flights are LOT Polish Airlines or United Airlines, both major carriers.

Warsaw and Krakow are both fascinating cities with a lot of history, culture, and nightlife. Both cities are not also cheap to fly into, but also cheap to visit.

Warsaw is the capital and modern center of Poland, with its skyscrapers, museums, parks, and monuments.

Krakow is the former royal capital and cultural heart of Poland, with its medieval old town, castle, churches, and markets.

Both cities are also great starting points to explore other parts of Poland, such as Gdansk, Wroclaw, or the Tatra Mountains.

There are also some other airports and cities. Prague, Czech Republic often ranks as the most affordable airport to fly into thanks to Ryanair, Czech Airlines and other budget-friendly carrier routes.

In conclusion.

While flying into Europe from the US became more expensive in 2023 than in 5 prior years, there are still places to fly into cheaper. Looking in 2024 flights, there are some tickets on nice sales, so there is hope!

The prices go way down during the off-season. Do your trip planning in advance, and safe big.

I hope this guide will be helpful. Let’s connect on social media. The links are below.