Cheap Flights to Europe

Tips for First-Time Travellers Booking Flights to Europe

Don't buy your tickets to attractions late

If you're buying flights to Europe to visit hotspots like Paris and Rome, plan your itinerary in advance. Many of the top cities’ most popular attractions offer the ability to pre-purchase your visitor tickets in advance. This is a great trick to help you avoid any long lines.

Bread and water is not always free at restaurants

At restaurants in Europe, the bread and water on your table is generally added to your bill. If you don't want it, make sure to tell the server as you sit down or refuse the bread altogether when you sit down. It can be worth asking if the bread is free or not however, as some restaurants offer it as a complimentary addition. You can also save money by carrying a water bottle with you instead of ordering it at the restaurant.

You don't need to tip that much

In Europe, tips for service staff are more modest than in other countries. If the tip isn't included in the bill already, a tip of 5% is normal and a 10% tip is considered generous.

Public bathrooms are not free

If you need to use the bathroom while exploring a city in Europe, you can expect to pay anywhere between €0.50 to €1.00 ($0.80-1.60 AUD). The bathrooms also only accept small change, so keep some on you at all times.

Fly into smaller airports

If you want cheap flights to Europe, avoid flying into the airports close to the city. For example, Charles de Gaulle Airport’s (CDG) flights may be more expensive than Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA) that’s an hour outside of the city. Likewise, it can be cheaper to book return flights to Europe and London that land in Gatwick or Luton airports rather than Heathrow (LHR).

The Best Time to Visit on Flights to Europe

Europe is a massive region that stretches across 45 countries. The best time to visit depends on what you want to see and do while you're there. For the best chance at finding cheap flights to Europe, you want to travel over the off-season. From December to February, the cooler weather keeps many international travellers away, and you may have an easier time finding deals on an airfare to Europe. However, if you're travelling to destinations such as Germany or Austria for the Christmas Markets and any of Europe's ski resorts, keep in mind that this period is another high season. From June to August, the warm summer temperatures attract travellers from around the world, and many Europeans go on their annual holiday. As a result, summer is Europe’s peak season for travel. This time sees bigger crowd numbers and longer lines outside popular attractions such as the Vatican in Rome and the Louvre Museum in Paris. Prices for flights to Europe can also increase to meet demand. If you want to visit Europe over the summer months, book your tickets to Europe and make your hotel reservations at least two months in advance. Alternatively, if you’re flexible about where to travel in Europe you can wait for last-minute flights to Europe and other specials or deals. If you don't want the high costs of summer or the cold temperatures of winter, plan your trip to Europe over the two shoulder seasons. From March to May and September to November, you'll find the weather pleasant and fewer crowds at top attractions. You’ll also have an easier time finding cheap return flights to Europe.

Major Events and Festivals

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest in Munich is one of the oldest festivals in Germany. It’s been around since 1820 and began as a celebration of a royal wedding. Today, it's turned into a behemoth annual event and more than six million people fly into Munich International Airport (MUC) every year to crowd the beer halls, devour hot pretzels and revel in the festivities. If you want to attend, you’ll need to book your flights to Europe months in advance to avoid the price increase in airfares.

Carnival of Venice

If you're looking for an event to plan your trip to Europe around, put Venice's Carnival on your itinerary. The event is one of the biggest celebrations in the country and is famous for its Venetian masquerade balls.

La Tomatina

La Tomatina is an annual event held in Spain. Its origins date back to an argument among children, and it has evolved into a massive tomato food fight. If you're booking flights to Europe to attend, make sure to pack old clothes to wear and a pair of goggles to protect your eyes.

Landmarks and Monuments You Can’t Miss

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It was once the tallest building in the world, and it attracts millions of visitors each year. If you're looking for a bird’s-eye view of the city, take the elevator up to the second floor.

Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of the best-preserved buildings from the Roman Empire and is one of the top reasons many people buy tickets to Europe. It's located in the centre of Rome and is where the infamous gladiator contests were held. If you want to see the inside of the building, you'll can join a tour or look around by yourself (audio guides are also available).

Acropolis of Athens

History lovers who book flights to Europe and Athens won’t be disappointed by Greece. Fly into Athens International Airport (ATH) and you can explore ancient temples dedicated to the gods. Some of the top sites include Parthenon, the Erechtheioun, the Propylaia, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

The Alps

If you're booking flights to Europe, The Alps deserve a spot on your bucket list. It's one of the most spectacular landmarks and the mountain range spans across eight countries. Spend your holiday tackling the slopes, hiking the many trails and learning about the different cultures that call the Alpine region home.