Cheapest airports in Europe: best budget-friendly airports to fly from and to save money.

A Warm Welcome, Dear Fellow Travellers!

If you’re looking at this, it’s a good bet that your heart beats to the tune of new experiences, but your wallet prefers that feeling of being full and quiet. I mean, really, what’s the joy in exploration if it comes at the guilt of having sacrificed true financial freedom? We are the explorers who understand that the most valuable currency isn’t euros or pounds. It’s the precious days that we claw back from the ordinary time constraints that bind us. It’s having and cherishing experiences that you don’t have to pay a large flight expense for; instead, it comes from thrifty planning, exploration, and an unstoppable exploratory spirit  the very essence of World Flight Vibes.

I know that I have spent thousands of hours frantically working the flight-deal maze to connect obscure regional airlines to major budget centres, and I’m about to let you in on a little secret: the start of your journey doesn’t have to be your most expensive part in fact, it can be the least costly part of the adventure. For those seeking the cheapest airport to fly from in Europe, the secret lies in the starting hub.

Consider an airplane seat simply as the takeoff spot; each pound we save on that initial flight is a few more tapas plates in Seville, an additional day to explore the rugged coast of Ireland, or a ticket to a striking Danish design museum. It’s all about converting the transportation cost into experiential capital.

So let’s stop paying a premium for the arrival and start seeing the first leg of the journey as the tactical masterstroke it is. I have compiled for you a list- my own personal map of the cheapest airports to fly out of and into  Europe. They are the Golden Gateways to allow your European dream to take flight without landing your bank account. The search for the cheapest european cities to fly into often begins right here.

So, here is my curated ranking of the cheapest place to fly into europe to maximize your budget and optimally use your money and enjoyment.

Traveller’s Strategic Rank: Europe’s 5 Cheapest Cities to Fly Into

1. Milan Malpensa (MXP), Italy

You do not have to make a grand statement flying into a part of Italy for a lot of money. Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the portal that allows you to enter the peninsula with style and savings. While Milan itself is a high-fashion city, MXP is refreshingly no-frills in the ticket prices. This is a contender for the cheapest airport to fly into europe.

The charm of using Milan as a low-cost entry point is twofold. First, it is Italy’s second-busiest airport hub with plenty of competition in the sky, with many “big name” international and European airlines flying into MALP and keeping fares down for example, if you’re flying from North America or Asia, look for non-stop round trip fares that will be lower than connecting one-way fares. The second part of the charm for budget travellers is Malpensa’s (MXP) connection to Bergamo Airport (BGY) which is, for many, the extremely low-cost airport. For travellers flying into MXP without a direct-to-your-destination itinerary, taking a high-speed, low-cost train into the city and a connecting train to Venice, Florence, Rome, or other location is the best option. Or, as an alternative option, you’re in range of going to BGY to take one of the many ultra-low-cost services operating in Europe.

Travellers Tip: Just because it is called Malpensa airport does not mean it is “far.” The Malpensa Express train is an excellent option for a quick and seamless connection into the city centre at Cadorna station. Then you are instantly in the heart of the city! And, you’ll avoid the expensive taxi line at the airport and you can use the few pennies you saved on gelato instead (which is a much better investment, don’t you agree?). Consider MXP one of the cheapest airports to fly out of.

2. Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Denmark

The Nordics! When people think of the Nordics, they often associate them with very high prices and very clean design. The thought of an affordable trip to Scandinavia seems inconsistent. But Copenhagen Airport (CPH) does away with that notion, as it is truly one of the easiest ways to enter Northern Europe. CPH is the main hub for Scandinavian Airlines, and more international arrivals take place at CPH than anywhere else in the Nordics, which means they have to offer affordable prices, and have generous flight options. This makes it a great choice for the cheapest airport to fly from in europe.

CPH is arguably the Big Man on Campus when it comes to connections to the Nordic capitals. When you land here, you can avoid the truly outrageous cost of arriving in smaller (intercontinental) hubs like Oslo or Stockholm. From Copenhagen, you can easily and cheaply take a hop on a budget carrier or simply cross the bridge by train to get to Sweden’s Malmö. Moreover, its location means that there is a decent affordable trajectory into Germany and into the major Central European city hubs, which provides for a great launch pad into the Nordic region at a reasonable price. This solidifies its position as one of the cheapest european cities to fly into.

The Traveller’s Tip: CPH is famously efficient. The Metro station is physically attached to Terminal 3! Rather than incurring the costs of transfer from the airport, just get a Copenhagen city card or buy a ticket on public transport and you’ll be in the city centre, an enjoyable trip in under 15 minutes. All of this is again an excellent illustration of how CPH is designed to save the astute traveller time and money.

3. Madrid–Barajas (MAD), Spain

Spain’s capital, Madrid is a city full of passion, with its late-night partying and, unexpectedly, a total haven for us low-cost fliers. The Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) is truly an aerial paradise for anyone seeking low fares. Madrid punches above its weight, serving as headquarters for Iberia Airlines, which is constantly running upbeat fare sales for flights leaving the city. The search for the cheapest place to fly into europe should include Madrid.

What makes Madrid(MAD) high on this list is the intensity of the traffic. Almost every major or minor airline you can think of flies here to create a super competitive environment, where cheap tickets are the norm rather than the rarity. The airport is designed to facilitate mass movement and offers an unrivaled range of options for connections to Western and Central Europe. Whether your next stop is to Lisbon, Paris or even a small regional city in Spain, MAD can get you a budget ticket to the destination. It is the central nervous system of Iberian budget aviation. Finding the cheapest airport to fly from in Europe is easy here. It’s a key spot among the cheapest airports to fly out of.

Traveller’s Tip: Unlike many others in Europe, the Madrid metro is a direct line into the airport. The cost of the surcharge is nothing compared to the convenience. And upon arrival, get on the pink Line 8 and be connected to the entire city; only a true capital city could provide truly seamless and inexpensive transport options and help you fly cheapest, save money.

4. Dublin Airport (DUB), Ireland

There’s an absolute charm to arriving in Dublin, and the fact that it is one of Europe’s financial flight champions is just the cherry on top. Dublin Airport (DUB) is a bedrock of budget travel for two reasons: its location and the airlines that use it as their hub. This is a top choice for the cheapest airport to fly into Europe.

First of all, DUB is the closest major European airport to North America and has absorbed a huge slice of the cheapest transatlantic flights as a result. Secondly, it is the home base for Aer Lingus and most importantly Ryanair – the largest budget carrier in Europe. This is a huge advantage. When you arrive in Dublin, you suddenly think you are plugged into the huge cheap (and sometimes unreliable) Ryanair network, so continuing your travel onward to Europe or the UK is so cheap that it’s the exact opposite of bank breaking. You have not just landed in Ireland, but the centre of a European budget airport system. This makes it a contender for the title of cheapest airport for connecting flights.

The Traveller’s Hint: Consider DUB not only for flights into Ireland but as a deliberate stopover. An itinerary like flying from New York to Dublin, spending a few days there, and taking a Ryanair flight to a last destination in Poland or Portugal, could be £100s cheaper than just flying directly to Poland or Portugal. The buses (e.g. Aircoach or Dublin Express) are your best friends in this scenario, comfortable and many times cheaper than taking a taxi into the centre of the city. For those looking for the cheapest European cities to fly into, Dublin offers significant value.

6.Barcelona-El Prat (BCN), Spain

we made it to the top of the cost pyramid. For my money and travel ethos, Barcelona El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport (BCN) is the most cost-saving airport in Europe for the astute traveller and budget seeker. This is consistently a great choice for the cheapest place to fly into Europe.

Barcelona itself is more than just a stunning seaside city with incredible architecture but is also a carefully thought out strategic travel hub. BCN is consistently featured on lists globally for the best average fares for flights. Why? Because Barcelona developed a product that is undeniably appealing to low cost carriers. It is a major base fo giants Vueling and LEVEL as well as all the other main budget brands. This creates a constant, fierce competition that drives down prices year around. This constant competition solidifies its position as a cheapest airport destination. BCN is also one of the cheapest airports to fly out of.

Touching down at BCN is the ultimate power move because of the flexibility it encourages. You can head north to France, go west to the rest of Spain, or hop on an unbelievably cheap flight across the Mediterranean. There is no competitor that matches or even remotely rivals the combination of affordability, frequency, and massive volume of low-cost options. If you want to initiate your European experience with the least financial investment, BCN is your brilliant, beautiful answer. The search for the cheapest airport often ends here.

The Traveller’s Tip: The Aerobús is a brilliant, bespoke shuttle service from BCN straight into Plaça Catalunya. It’s only slightly more expensive than a standard public transport, but much better regarding passenger luggage capacity, and trip speed. You might as well pay the small premium here, it’s worth it to not start your time in this magnificent city with unnecessary transit stress.

Beyond the Runway: A Budget Traveller’s Philosophy

Remember, friends, these airports are simply tools in our budget travel kit. If you want to be a master budget traveller, it is necessary to use a few golden rules that work best when flying from these ‘hubs’:

1. The Real Low Cost Hubs: Just be careful, the main airport is often cheap for long hauls (for example: MXP in Milan) but the second regional airport (for example: BGY) will be your best option when considering the cheap intra-European flights – check both flights before buying! Always consider the regional alternative if you want the absolute cheapest airport fare for short hops. You can often find the cheapest airports to fly out of from these secondary hubs.
2. Travel Light, Travel Smart: The budget airline is the reason why these fares exist – they make their money off of baggage fees! If you want to take advantage of these fares, invest in a cabin-compliant backpack that maximises the volume of the strict dimensions the airlines provide. This will save you hundreds over your grand tour.
3. Mid Week: Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to fly from these ‘hubs’. Flexibility is your best budget friend! When considering the cheapest european cities to fly into, being flexible with days is key.

So, go ahead, fellow adventurers. You now have the road map to the cheapest skies in Europe. Don’t let a high initial price of the flight keep you at home; the smart way is to obtain the low price, save the money, and spend that extra money you earned on a true European experience. The knowledge of the cheapest place to fly into Europe is your first great savings!

Have a happy and safe journey and embrace those world flight vibes!

Frequently Asked Questions