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Cheap Europe flights to book in 2020

Compare prices, learn the best time to book and get deals on flights to Europe.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

Updated

Fact checked
Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

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The cheaper the flight you can nab to Europe, the more money you have to spend sipping cocktails on a Mediterranean beach, shopping in Milan and cruising down the Seine, amirite?

Here are the best deals we could find available, and some tips and tricks to help you get the best price on your next flight to Europe.

Today's available Europe flight deals

Kayak Kayak

Up to 35% off flights worldwide

Subscribe to Kayak's newsletter and receive personalised private deals of up to 35% off. Destinations include Europe, Asia, America, Australia and more. T&Cs apply.

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Skyscanner Skyscanner

London flights from $1,218 return

Available on select dates from January - September 2021. Sample fare departs from Sydney with Qatar Airways. T&Cs apply.

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Deal ends

Skyscanner Skyscanner

Greece flights from $1,624 return

Available on select dates from January - July 2021 to Crete, Santorini, Rhodes and more. Sample fare is Perth-Athens with Qantas Airways. T&Cs apply.

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How much are flights to Europe?

Flights to Europe from Western Australia and South Australia tend to be the cheapest, with fares averaging $1,200-$1,400 return. If you're flying from the east coast of Australia, expect to pay a bit more, with averages between $1,300 and $1,500.

While there are hundreds of airports around Europe, we looked at four of the most-searched destinations – London, Paris, Athens and Rome – for Australians to get an idea of what constitutes a good deal on a flight to Europe.

While those prices are the average lows, based on Skyscanner data, we've found many flight sales where prices can dip below the $1,000 mark.

Keep an eye on deals from budget airlines like Scoot, which is known for its cheap-as-chips fares to its two European destinations – Athens and Berlin. If you're not inclined to fly budget, there are benchmark sale fares between $1,000 and $1,100 from airlines like Qatar, Emirates and Etihad.

When is the cheapest time of year to fly to Europe?

The cheapest time to fly to Europe is during Australia's summer months, when it's winter in Europe, from October to April. On average, prices tend to bottom out in February, after the Christmas/New Year holiday season, but before temperatures start to warm up toward the end of March.

To get the best of both worlds – a fair price and fair weather – we suggest travelling during the shoulder season, in May-June or in September-October. If you're travelling to destinations further south in Europe, like Spain, Italy or Greece, you'll still get days in the low-mid 20C range, fewer crowds than peak summer and lower airfares.

Europe's peak season – both in terms of price and crowds – is during Australia's winter months, especially from June to August. This is when Europe is at its warmest, so if you're set on a beach holiday then you may need to pay a premium to get the best weather.

How far in advance should I book my flight to Europe?

We find with Europe, the earlier you book, the better – especially if you want to travel to Europe during its warmer months.

Airlines like Etihad, Emirates and Qatar often have early-bird Europe sales in November-December for travel from March-June.

Frequently asked questions about flights to Europe

How long does it take to fly to Europe?

The flight time depends on where you're flying from in Australia, which city you're flying to in Europe and which route you take. Currently, the only direct flight to Europe is between Perth and London, when flying with Qantas. Otherwise, your flight will include at least one stop along the way. Generally flying through a city in the Middle East, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Qatar, is the fastest way to get there.

The following are the quickest times we could find from major cities in Australia to four popular cities in Europe. The length of your trip, especially if there's a stop involved, may be longer based on which day and with which airline you fly.

How long does it take to fly to London?

  • Perth: 17 hours (direct)
  • Adelaide: 22 hours (one stop)
  • Melbourne: 22 hours (one stop)
  • Sydney: 22.5 hours (one stop)
  • Brisbane: 22.5 hours (one stop)

How long does it take to fly to Paris?

  • Perth: 20.5 hours (one stop)
  • Adelaide: 23 hours (one stop)
  • Melbourne: 22.5 hours (one stop)
  • Sydney: 23 hours (one stop)
  • Brisbane: 23 hours (one stop)

How long does it take to fly to Rome?

  • Perth: 20.5 hours (one stop)
  • Adelaide: 22.5 hours (one stop)
  • Melbourne: 21.5 hours (one stop)
  • Sydney: 22 hours (one stop)
  • Brisbane: 21.5 hours (one stop)

How long does it take to fly to Athens?

  • Perth: 18.5 hours (one stop)
  • Adelaide: 20.5 hours (one stop)
  • Melbourne: 21.5 hours (one stop)
  • Sydney: 21.5 hours (one stop)
  • Brisbane: 21.5 hours (one stop)

Where is the cheapest place to fly to in Europe from Australia?

The cheapest reoccurring flight prices we've seen to Europe have been to Athens and Berlin with Scoot. We've seen flights to Athens going for less than $600 return, while flights to Berlin have been going for less than $700 return.

The airline flies to the two European cities from Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast via its hub in Singapore.

Which airlines fly to Europe from Australia?

Qantas is the only airline that flies direct between Europe and Australia, with the only route available being Perth-London.

Dozens of other airlines can get you to cities across Europe with one stop, including:

Which is the best airline to fly to Europe from Australia with?

According to Skytrax's annual World Airline Awards, Qatar, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qantas and Thai Airways all sit within the list of the world's 10 best airlines.

What are the major airports in Europe?

If you're looking for the best deals (and fewest stops on your journey from Australia), it's best to look into flights to major cities in Europe. They'll also be more likely to be serviced with more airlines, meaning more competition on fares and lower prices.

Based on what we've seen from flight sales, look for flights into the following cities:

  • Amsterdam
  • Athens
  • Barcelona
  • Berlin
  • Dublin
  • Frankfurt
  • London
  • Madrid
  • Manchester
  • Milan
  • Munich
  • Paris
  • Rome

Do I need a visa to travel to Europe with an Australian passport?

If you're travelling to a Schengen Area country, which includes the 26 countries listed below, you don't need a visa if you're travelling with an Australian passport (or one from New Zealand) if you're planning on staying for 90 days or less.

Although a visa isn't needed, it's expected that from some time towards the end of 2021 (there's no set date yet), the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) – a visa waiver program – will come into effect for Australians looking to travel to a Schengen zone country.

Schengen Area countries:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • The Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • San Marino
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Vatican City

Tips and tricks to finding cheap flights

  • Be flexible. Once you see a heavily discounted fare to Europe, jump on it, no matter where in Europe the flight might take you. Thanks to budget carriers like Ryanair and Easyjet, once you’re in Europe, travel is cheap. It might just cost you $50 with a budget carrier to get you to the city you’d like to visit from where the sale fare takes you, while booking a ticket from Australia to your final destination could easily cost hundreds more. Plus, you might just fall in love with your bonus city!
  • Consider the pros of a longer stopover. If you’re just after a cheap fare, an overnight or hours-long layover along the way could be worth saving a few hundred dollars on your fare. Longer stopovers in destinations where you can leave the airport may also be welcome. A wander around a new city for a few hours could be a nice break between two very long flights.
  • Shop around: Sounds obvious, but it pays to shop around. One of the easiest ways to find cheap flights is to use a comparison booking engine like I Want That Flight, BYOJet, Wotif or CheapOAir. They compare flight prices across various airlines and travel agents and hook you up with the lowest price.
  • Book a package: Package holidays can sometimes be cheaper than purchasing flights and accommodation separately. They can also save you heaps of browsing time. Flight Centre has one of the widest selection of European tours and packages online.
  • Watch out for credit card fees: Many payment systems charge extra for you to pay with a credit card. Check carefully before you buy to see what fee-free options are available, such as direct debit and PayPal.
  • Use those price match guarantees: Travel agents such as Expedia, Helloworld and CheapOAir offer price match guarantees. If you find the same flight cheaper elsewhere, contact them to see what they can do.

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2 Responses

  1. Default Gravatar
    marySeptember 3, 2017

    is it possible to view fares for flights to Europe from Australian cities from Sept 2018 as of today?

    Reply
    • Default Gravatar
      GruSeptember 4, 2017

      Hello,

      Unfortunately, it is not possible to view fares for flights to Europe from Australian cities for next September 2018 as of today.
      You may check back on our site and on this page in the following months to see the availability for September 2018.

      Alternatively, you may contact the airline companies directly to confirm the possibility of booking flights for September 2018.

      Cheers
      Gru

      Reply
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