Everything you need to know about flying to Europe
Pick a route to see live fare trends, airlines, flight times and the best time to fly.
How much is a return flight from London to Europe?
Return flights from London to Europe typically cost between £146 and £199 in August, though fares move with demand, season and how early you book. The lowest fare our search found recently was £102 — a great price and well below the usual range, so a price near this is worth grabbing. Keeping your dates flexible and comparing nearby days is the easiest way to land at the cheaper end.
£102 is a great price
£146£199
What is the cheapest month to fly to Europe?
indicative
On average, November is the cheapest month to fly to Europe, with return fares around £131, and April is another good-value option at about £154. Prices peak in July, when return tickets average around £288 because of higher demand. If your travel dates are flexible, shifting your trip into a cheaper month can save you a meaningful amount.
What is the cheapest day to fly to Europe?
The cheapest day to depart to Europe is usually Tuesday, when fares start from around £153 — midweek departures tend to be quieter and cheaper. Friday is typically the most expensive day to fly out (around £176), as weekend travel is popular with leisure and business travellers alike. Where your plans allow, moving your outbound to a cheaper weekday can noticeably lower the total fare.
What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Europe?
Flights to Europe are generally cheapest departing in the evening, with fares from around £132. Departures in the afternoon tend to cost more (about £162), as those slots are more convenient and in higher demand. Picking an off-peak departure time is a simple way to trim the price without changing your dates.
What is the cheapest London airport to fly to Europe from?
The cheapest return flights to Europe depart from London Heathrow (LHR), from around £143. London has several airports serving this route and fares can vary between them — Stansted (STN) is often the priciest at around £286. It's worth checking which London airport is both cheapest and most convenient for you before booking.
Can I save money by flying with a stopover to Europe?
For Europe, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct, with fares from around £114 versus about £208 for a 1-stop itinerary. A direct flight also saves you time and the hassle of a connection, so it's usually the better all-round choice on this route. Stopovers only tend to pay off here if a particular date or airline happens to be cheaper.
How far in advance should I book a flight to Europe?
To get a below-average price to Europe, aim to book roughly 26 weeks before departure, when fares tend to dip to around £148. Leaving it to the final week is usually the most expensive time to buy, costing about 44% more, as availability tightens. Booking extremely far ahead isn't always cheaper either, so a few weeks to a couple of months out is typically the sweet spot.
See what customers who have flown with Air France, Turkish Airlines, KLM and more to Europe have to say. Each airline is scored on boarding, crew, food, comfort and entertainment.
Air France gave me a really pleasant start to my trip. The airport staff were helpful, the boarding process was organized, and the cabin crew made everyone feel welcome. The whole experience felt smooth and professional.
Top 10 airlines flying from London to Europe
Cheapest and average return economy fares by carrier, from our sampled live searches. Fares change constantly — tap Search to see live prices for your dates.
Airline
Cheapest
Average
Flights
Search
British Airways
£102
£171
Direct available
Norwegian Air International
£106
£197
Direct available
Iberia
£132
£155
Direct available
A.P.G. Distribution System
£188
£193
Direct available
ITA Airways
£208
£242
With stops
LOT Polish Airlines
£227
£280
With stops
KLM
£227
£252
With stops
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
£235
£404
With stops
Pegasus Airlines
£250
£287
With stops
Turkish Airlines
£276
£292
With stops
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About flights to Europe
Overview of flying to Europe
Europe is the UK's favourite short-haul playground — from the beaches of the Mediterranean to the great capitals, Alpine slopes and sun-soaked islands, all just a short flight away. With dozens of airlines and airports competing, Europe offers some of the best-value fares of anywhere, for city breaks, holidays and weekends away.
Best time to visit
Summer is peak for the Mediterranean beaches, spring and autumn are ideal for city breaks with fewer crowds, and winter suits the ski resorts and Christmas markets. Fares rise over school holidays — the price charts on this page show the cheapest dates.
Popular countries & cities
Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga): beaches, culture and cities.
Italy (Rome, Venice, Milan): history, food and romance.
France (Paris, Nice): the capital of style and the Côte d'Azur.
Greece (Athens, the islands): ancient wonders and blue seas.
Portugal (Lisbon, Faro): charming cities and Algarve beaches.
Airlines and routes
A huge choice of carriers from every UK airport, including British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, Wizz Air and the major national airlines serves Europe. Most flights take between one and four hours, making Europe ideal for short trips.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Europe
Book a few weeks ahead for the best short-haul value.
Travel outside school holidays where possible.
Be flexible — midweek and early-morning flights are often cheapest.
Compare nearby airports at both ends for lower fares.
Travel essentials
UK travellers can visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa; check your passport meets validity rules.
Most countries use the euro (EUR), though some keep their own currency.
Baggage
Baggage & hand-luggage allowance for flights to Europe
Your allowance to Europe depends on the airline and the fare you book. The table below shows typical long-haul allowances so you know roughly what to expect — always confirm the exact limits with your airline before you fly.
Typical hand and checked baggage allowance by fare type for flights to Europe.
Fare type
Hand baggage
Checked baggage
Basic / Light economy
1 small under-seat bag
Usually none — add for a fee
Standard economy
1 cabin bag + 1 personal item
Typically 1 × 23 kg
Premium economy
1–2 cabin bags + personal item
Typically 2 × 23 kg
Business / First
2 cabin bags + personal item
Typically 2 × 32 kg
Indicative only. Allowances vary by airline, route and fare — always check your airline's baggage policy.
Packing & baggage tips
Full-service carriers (e.g. British Airways, Turkish Airlines, KLM) usually include a checked bag on long-haul economy fares; basic/low-cost fares often don't.
Cabin (hand) bag size is commonly around 56 × 45 × 25 cm — confirm your airline's limit before you pack.
Liquids in hand luggage must be in containers of 100 ml or less, inside one clear resealable bag.
Weigh your bags at home — airport excess-baggage fees are far higher than pre-booked allowances.
Extra or heavier bags are almost always cheaper added online in advance than at the airport.
FAQs — booking Europe flights
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Cheapest countries to fly to in Europe
Return economy fares from London, cheapest first — a quick way to find where in Europe your money goes furthest.
