How to Find Cheap European Airfare

Budget European Airlines Cheaper Than Student Airfares
European airlines offer big airfare discounts if you look. Before you buy a student airfare for European puddle jumping, check out the many budget airlines offering super cheap one way European airfare - how about a $2.28 airfare from London to Rome? Add taxes and fees and you're looking at a European airfare of $40.00 or less.

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).

London to Paris (one way aifares):

o Ryanair
Fare: $2.28
Taxes and fees: $26.87
Total: $29.15

o Easyjet
Fare: $31.42
Taxes and fees: $8.35
Total: $39.77

o 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 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. Ryainair checked luggage charges kicked in March 16, 2006,too: £2.50 (about $4.40) per bag if you book online, £5.00 (about $8.80) at airport check in. And that will be changing in fall 2007. The key to a cheap Ryanair flight, then, is carry on bags 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.

Be prepared to be flexible to get the cheapest airfare on any budget European airline - airfares vary from day to day; weekdays are generally less expensive.

List of Budget European Airlines

* Attitude Travel has a very complete list of every single budget European airline. A few favorites (direct links):

o Ryanair
o easyJet
o Central Wings

Happy cheap European airfare hunting!

From Kathleen Crislip,
source: http://studenttravel.about.com