I cringe when I hear travelers setting aside $1,200 or more to fly to Europe. Those travelers are doing it wrong, because you can cross the pond for half that if you time your trip to be in Europe right.
For months, we've been telling travelers that flight prices to Europe were dropping to record lows … and that those prices were too good to last. Yet every time we think airfare to Europe can't possibly get any cheaper, the airlines prove us wrong.
For travelers willing to travel to Europe this winter – I'm talking about Christmas markets season (November/early December) and winter (January – March), we've found thousands of roundtrip airfares in the $400s, $300s, and even $200s roundtrip! And that's just what we've found in the last two weeks.
We search for flight deals to Europe every single day for our Thrifty Traveler Premium members, and we have been for years. So trust us when we say that what we're seeing right now is special – the flight deals to Europe are cheaper and more frequent than we've seen in years.
So, let's plan your trip. Where should you go to book that magical Christmas markets trip, a ski adventure in the Alps, or a seaside escape?
Christmas Markets in Belgium, Denmark, & Germany
If you only want to fly to Europe in June or July, you're missing out on some real magic. Christmas markets season across the pond is special with most European cities hosting huge holiday celebrations that are worth the trip!
If you're anything like me, a sanitized visit to a mall Santa outside a vacant JC Penney in the suburbs doesn't quite get my Christmas juices flowing anymore. Do you know what does? Celebrating Belgium's St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6…and paying as little as $355 roundtrip to get there!
This flight deal we sent was to Brussels (BRU) with best availability in late November and early December put travelers right in the center of the action. In Belgium, Dec. 6 is their primary Christmas celebration, meaning you could visit for St. Nicholas Day and then head home for a Christmas double-dip.
You can get the same energy with a trip to Germany this Christmas season, because the Germans take their Christmas markets seriously. The Christmas market in Nuremberg, Germany is widely considered the best in the world. And fares like these will put you within a few hours' train ride away from Nuremberg right in the heart of market season.
If anyone disagrees with Nuremberg being the best Christmas market on earth, it's the folks up in Denmark, because Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens hosts an iconic Christmas celebration, too. The old school European amusement park in the heart of Copenhagen becomes a winter wonderland during the holiday season – bringing together the market with the typical outdoor rides and activities – all decorated like the North Pole. It looks truly spectacular.
Oh…and I almost forgot…getting to Copenhagen (CPH) is always incredibly cheap thanks to cutthroat competition from the airline SAS. These fares in the $400s roundtrip – many of which are nonstop – would make for a perfect 4-or-5-day trip to Denmark and a few incredible nights at Tivoli!
Skiing in the Swiss Alps
While some travelers might balk at heading over to Europe during January or February when the weather is dreariest, mountain lovers know that's exactly when you want to be in the Alps.
This flight deal to Zurich (ZRH) would drop you right into the snowy Alps in the heart of ski season for some unbelievably cheap rates. The lowest fare on this deal was just $376 roundtrip from Chicago (ORD) with the highest fare on the deal coming in under $494 roundtrip, too.
From Zurich, take the train down to Zermatt, over to Murren and Grindewald, or down to other incredible spots like Laax. The Swiss Alps are a skier or rider's paradise. And even if you don't ski, the resorts are full of fun sledding, winter hiking, and more. It's a piece of winter wonderland, and it's never been cheaper to go.
Seaside Escapes in Spain or Greece
Not everyone's a winter sicko like me, I understand that. But you don't have to love Christmas or sliding down snowy mountains to enjoy Europe in the late fall or winter. You know why Europe is loveliest in the winter time? No crowds!
If you want to see some of Europe's most popular sites, you'll be in mob of gawkers if you want to go in June or July. You know who's going to be there in November, December, January, or February? Just you!
Why else would you want to visit Europe in fall or winter? Well…
When travel demand drops off, so do the prices. That's how you can fly roundtrip to Athens, Greece (ATH) under $497 roundtrip this winter. Our latest flight deal from just a few days ago did just that.
It's not going to be 90 degrees and sunny if you visit in November or February, but if you really want to experience Greece, you will find a less touristy, more authentic experience in the off-season, paired with no line-waiting and easy-to-find reservations.
The same goes for a trip to Barcelona (BCN)! The region gets overrun with tourists in the summertime, but the off-season is a great way to see everything the city has to offer, but at off-season prices and with off-season crowds.
All starting at just $281 roundtrip!
Bottom Line
Flights to Europe don't have to be expensive. If you time your trip right, you could visit Europe during the most magical time of year for less than half what you budgeted for.
The flight deals to Europe we're seeing lately are unparalleled – cheaper and more frequent than we've seen in years, maybe ever. Something is changing in travel and it's resulting in sub-$500 roundtrip fares to Europe becoming the norm – especially this time of year. And the points deals just keep coming, too.
The insights on dropping flight prices to Europe are spot-on and came at the perfect time. Thanks a ton for sharing, making it easy for folks across the U.S to plan an European getaway.
Browsing now, prices for summer are higher then in 2023, what r u talking about, get real
The discount fares of today don’t match the ones we were seeing pre Covid. Sure the price may be similar but airlines have devalued the international basic economy product so much that you should expect to pay $160 RT plus for any option to even have an oppt to select a seat. Even then seat prices add $15-$50 per segment. By the time you add in all the hidden costs and fees expect to pay $200-$250 over the discount price listed. The old days are gone and those fares are not coming back…ever.
Hello, we are a family of six (2 kids) looking for affordable tickets to Europe. Could leave from Chicago or Detroit. Spring 2024 would be perfect, but can wait til fall if more affordable . What’s the forecast for prices next year? Many thanks,
Susan
Taking my Grandaughter to Paris for her graduation trip, 2024. Unfortunately it’s the Olympics and I’m worried pricing is going to be crazy. Want to snag tickets early but am flexible on dates. End of May through September. Any suggestions??
Greetings and thank you for excellent info. What does your crystal ball reveal with regards to airfare deals to Spain from mid 19/20June to 9/10July 2023. I love Google Flights and use it often. I’m WA state resident and have found SFO to be the best west coast departure port. Willing to fly through any European city if less since fares intra-Europe still remain inexpensive. Thank you
Chris
Looking for a cheep non-stop flight to Copenhagen on July 5, returning on August 13. Is this an impossibility?? I know it’s soon.
Thank you for the mail list – love it!
Until Europe drops the vax card requirement, I’d assume they’ll be hurting for flying business. It’s way stressful to protect that little card.
The fares to Europe over the summer have not come down very much at all. What are your predictions there?
I’ve been watching your site and keep seeing the ads for premium. I’m wondering if it is worth it for us to join as we are in western Canada. Are we really going to see many great deals that originate from Calgary, AB YYC? The whole concept sounds wonderful, but not for us if this is primarily an American site. Any thoughts on this.
Hi Linda! While we do cover mostly US travel news on our website, our flight deal email alerts are for both US and Canadian departure cities 🙂 We typically find flight deals out of YYC at least a few times a month! Would love to have you join for cheap flights 🙂
Looking for cheap flights to Europe from pdx thru october
Lynda, great! We see cheap fares to Europe every month or so from cities including PDX. Just this weekend, we found flight deals to Croatia, Czechia, and Poland for $530 roundtrip from PDX. Don’t miss the next deals we find out of Portland: https://thriftytraveler.com/premium
London RT from TPA
Hi Nat! We don’t make the deals (just find them), but we see cheap fares to London come around every few months 🙂
Lincoln?!! Where can I head off to on the cheap from Lincoln? I’m in!!
Hi Lynne, yes! In the past month alone, we’ve found cheap international flights from Lincoln to Hawaii, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Chile, and Toronto. There’s more to come in the coming months: we’d love to have you join us for more cheap flights! More info on our Premium service here: https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/
What about London ? Any changes there?
I have been a Premium member for several years!
Hi Lynne,
You can add LNK to your departure city preferences to get alerts for deals from Lincoln! Sent you an email with details 🙂
Thank you!
We see cheap fares to London come around every few months! Most recently, we found fares in the low $300s 🙂