Although airfares for flights between the U.S. and Europe may have increased significantly, and American travelers may need to pay up to 20% more this summer compared with last year if they choose classic European destinations such as Paris, London, and Rome, there are still 10 cities in the Old Continent where flights from the United States cost less than $600.
The war in Iran changed everything overnight. Jet fuel prices surged sharply after the war began in late February, driven by the ongoing rally in oil prices, with transatlantic flights being hit the hardest. Airfares this summer to destinations such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and London range from $1,700 to $2,100 round trip, about 20% higher than last summer. However, according to a new study conducted by the Dollar Flight Club, there are 10 European cities where airfares from the United States range between $350 and $570.
“There are still some opportunities to travel to Europe on a budget right now if you know where to look. The cities with fares in the $350–$570 range… actually have fewer crowds and flights that cost one-third of what you would pay for major tourist hotspots,” the Dollar Flight Club notes.
Thus, while domestic U.S. airfare has increased by 10%–15% and transatlantic flights to popular European destinations have risen by 20%, it appears that there are destinations in Europe where airfares have increased by only 5%–10% or, in some cases, have not changed at all.
These are the destinations with the most affordable airfares from the United States:
- Stockholm, Sweden: $350
- Dublin, Ireland: $390
- Porto, Portugal: $426
- Bergen, Norway: $441
- Kraków, Poland: $494
- Budapest, Hungary: $500
- Bologna, Italy: $506
- Venice, Italy: $519
- Nice, France: $534
- Seville, Spain: $570
What drives affordability
Several factors make flights to the above European destinations more affordable compared with other cities on the continent. It all comes down to route profitability, competition, and travelers’ search behavior.
Shorter flight distances. Dublin is 3,200 miles from New York, while Paris is 3,625 miles and Rome is 4,280 miles. This difference matters when fuel prices rise.
Competition from low-cost carriers. Dublin, Stockholm, and Porto have strong low-cost airline networks that compete aggressively on price. “When traditional carriers try to raise fares, low-cost airlines keep them in check,” the report explains.
Americans “undervalue” Eastern Europe. Krakow and Budapest are world-class cities, but most Americans searching for European destinations tend to focus on better-known locations. As a result, lower search volumes translate into weaker demand pressure. And airlines, of course, price tickets based on demand.
Strategy for secondary cities. Bologna, Porto, Nice, and Venice all serve as alternatives to larger hub airports. “Airlines also know that if they price Bologna at $1,500, everyone will simply fly to Rome and take the train instead; that’s why they set lower fares to fill the plane,” notes the Dollar Flight Club. “For the same reason, Newark is often cheaper than JFK—less prestige and more competition for passengers,” it adds.
Fuel-efficient aircraft on northern routes. Last but not least, many of the Northern European cities included in the list of cheapest destinations are served by newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft, according to the Dollar Flight Club. And guess what? Airlines deploy their most efficient planes on routes where fuel costs would otherwise have a greater impact. This results in better cost per seat and greater ability to offer discounted fares.
