Budget European Airlines

No doubt about it - rolling around Europe by rail is an appealing way to travel.

Trains run largely on time, there’s plenty of legroom, and where there’s a railway station there’s almost always a way to get to wherever you’re looking to go.

But when cost is your main concern, consider following the lead of Europeans when booking travel plans within Europe – particularly when you’re looking to go fairly long distances - and bypass the rail routes for rock bottom airfares instead.

Europeans might pay more to fill up their gas tanks than we do Stateside. But when it comes to the affordability of jet setting around the Continent, they’ve got it made, thanks to a slew of budget airlines.

Think Southwest Airlines, on steroids.

With a little advance planning, a Londoner can fly to the south of France for a weekend getaway for ridiculously low rates that start at one euro cent each way (add taxes and baggage fees and roundtrip fares still often amount to less than what you’d pay for a tame night out on the town).

So, too, can a Frankfurter (the German citizen, not the hot dog) head to Glasgow for next to nothing. And an Amsterdammer soak up the sun in Barcelona for less than it costs to hit the tanning beds at home.

The good news is that you don’t have to be European to cash in on the fabulous fares.

Ryanair and easyJet are the best-known European low cost carriers.

They service the most destinations - including most European capital areas and Morocco - and offer frequent connections with hundreds of routes.

Additionally, there are Air Berlin, BMI Baby, Thomsonfly,Wizzair, Vueling, Smartwings, Snowflake…the list goes on.

And new low cost airlines seem to crop up every week. All that competition in the skies results in some unbelievably down to earth airfares.

A recent search for cheap flights between Barcelona, Spain and Porto, Portugal for mid-July – a distance of roughly 800 miles by car – turned up a one-way journey on Ryanair for the paltry sum of one euro cent.

Even after taxes and fees, the grand total came to 10 euros for the roughly two-hour flight.

The same journey by train, bus or car between Barcelona and Porto would easily cost many times that in both time and money.

Of course, there are drawbacks to flying.

For starters, there are the usual airport hassles such as security checks and delays.

And if you want to find the best fares, it’s important to book your seat several weeks in advance - just as you’re penalized on major airlines by booking at the last minute, the budget airlines won’t cut you a deal when it comes down to the wire.

And often, low cost carriers operate out of satellite cities rather than major European capitals.

If you’re looking to go to Florence, for example, the closest easyJet will get you is Pisa (about 62 miles away).

Take Ryanair to Frankfurt and you’ll actually land at Frankfurt Hahn, about 75 miles from the city of Frankfurt.

And Paris Beauvais airport, serviced by several low cost airlines, stands some 60 miles from the Eiffel Tower.

That said, satellite airports are usually within relatively easy striking distance of major capitals thanks to shuttle busses run by the airlines and public transport that covers the extra distance.

Just be sure to factor the cost of additional transportation into your overall travel expenses if you’re deciding between taking a low cost carrier and flying on a major airline that offers a more direct route.

Hefty baggage fees are another downside of flying with the low cost carriers.

If you’re used to bringing everything but the kitchen sink along with you on vacation, it’s possible to spend several times in luggage fees what you paid for the original ticket.

And if you’re toting along sports equipment such as snowboards and golf bags, except to shell out even more.

If you want to economize, traveling light is essential.

Here are a few additional tips to make traveling Europe’s low cost airlines as cost effective and easy as possible:

• Start looking online for your airfare at least two weeks in advance – the more lead time you allow, the cheaper your flight is likely to be.
• Avoid traveling during European public and school holidays, of which there are many (and they vary from country to country).
• The cheapest flights are for travel during the fall and spring months.
• Try to travel during the week as opposed to the weekend whenever possible.
• Give yourself plenty of time and show up at least an hour before your flight – Ryanair won’t let you onboard if you don’t check in at least 40 minutes before your flight. No exceptions (not to mention no refunds).
• Keep your checked luggage to one bag weighing no more than 20 kilograms (about 44 pounds) – a charge of 6 euros per additional kilogram is not unusual.
• Allow plenty of time between connecting flights. Many budget airlines won’t rebook you for free when you’ve booked two separate flights on their airline and the first one is late, causing you to miss the second.
• Pack a snack – complimentary beverage service simply doesn’t exist when you’re winging it for next to nothing.
• Explore your options – don’t just snag the first seat you see. With so many low cost carriers in Europe, it’s worth your while to shop around for the most attractive fare.