European Cities With The Cheapest Flights From The U.S.

These European cities consistently have some of the cheapest flights from the United States: Dublin, Paris, Reykjavík, Lisbon, Rome, Berlin, Oslo, Bergen, London, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Barcelona, and Madrid — thanks to high flight volumes, strategic locations, and budget airlines like Aer Lingus, French Bee, Icelandair, PLAY Airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways, TAP Air Portugal, Iberia, SAS, and LEVEL that service these routes from the U.S.

1. Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is often one of the cheapest European cities to fly to from the U.S., thanks to its high volume of flights, competitive market, and strategic position as a gateway to Europe. The city’s affordability is driven by:

• Aer Lingus: As Ireland’s flag carrier, Aer Lingus offers numerous direct flights from U.S. cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston, often at competitive prices due to its focus on transatlantic routes.
• Icelandair: This carrier provides affordable connections to Dublin via its hub in Reykjavík, leveraging Iceland’s strategic location to keep fares low.
• Play Airlines: Another Icelandic low-cost carrier, Play Airlines offers budget-friendly connections to Dublin through Reykjavík, often with fares under $200 one-way.
• Norse Atlantic Airways: Known for its ultra-low-cost model, Norse may offer direct flights or connections to Dublin, adding to the competitive pricing.

Once in Dublin, travelers can easily connect to other European destinations via budget airlines like Ryanair, making it a cost-effective starting point.

2. Paris, France

Paris is a perennial favorite for budget travelers, thanks to its multiple airports (Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais) and fierce airline competition. The city’s affordability comes from:

• French Bee: This ultra-low-cost French carrier offers direct flights from U.S. cities like San Francisco and New York to Paris-Orly at cut-rate prices.
• Norse Atlantic Airways: Norse provides low-cost direct flights to Paris, further driving down fares through competition.
• Icelandair: Offers connections to Paris via Reykjavík, often at lower prices than direct flights on legacy carriers.
• Play Airlines: Similar to Icelandair, Play provides affordable connections through Reykjavík.
• TAP Air Portugal: Offers competitive fares to Paris via its Lisbon hub, making it a viable option for budget travelers.
• Iberia: Provides connections to Paris through Madrid, often at competitive prices due to its oneworld alliance partnerships.

Paris’s role as a hub for intra-Europe budget airlines like easyJet and Vueling also makes it a great starting point for a broader European adventure.

3. Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík’s affordability is unmatched, thanks to its strategic location halfway between the U.S. and Europe, making flights shorter and cheaper. The key budget airlines are:

• Icelandair: Iceland’s flag carrier specializes in low-cost transatlantic flights, offering direct routes from multiple U.S. cities and connections to other European destinations.
• Play Airlines: A newer low-cost carrier based in Iceland, Play offers one-way fares as low as $200, making Reykjavík a budget traveler’s dream.

Keflavík Airport serves as a budget hub, allowing travelers to either stay in Iceland or connect onward to Europe at low costs.

4. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a budget-friendly gem, largely due to TAP Air Portugal’s aggressive pricing and competition from other carriers. The airlines keeping fares low include:

• TAP Air Portugal: Portugal’s flag carrier offers frequent sales and direct flights from U.S. cities like New York and Miami, using Lisbon as a connecting hub.
• Norse Atlantic Airways: May provide direct or connecting flights to Lisbon, adding to the competitive pricing.
• Icelandair: Offers connections via Reykjavík, often at lower fares than direct flights.
• Play Airlines: Provides affordable connections through Reykjavík.

Lisbon’s location makes it an ideal starting point for exploring Spain or other European destinations via budget airlines.

5. Rome, Italy

Rome’s Fiumicino Airport is surprisingly affordable, thanks to the presence of low-cost carriers and competition. The key airlines are:

• Norse Atlantic Airways: Offers direct flights from U.S. cities like New York, injecting price competition.
• Icelandair: Provides connections to Rome via Reykjavík, often at budget-friendly prices.
• Play Airlines: Offers similar connections through Reykjavík.

Rome’s secondary airport, Ciampino, is a hub for Ryanair, making onward travel within Europe affordable.

6. Berlin, Germany

Berlin has emerged as a budget destination due to past low-cost carrier experiments and ongoing competition. Affordable airlines include:

• Norse Atlantic Airways: Previously offered direct flights from New York and Los Angeles, now possibly through connections.
• SAS: Offers flights to Berlin via its Copenhagen or Stockholm hubs, keeping fares competitive.
• Icelandair: Provides connections via Reykjavík.
• Play Airlines: Offers affordable connections through Reykjavík.

Berlin’s affordability is enhanced by its connectivity to other European cities via budget airlines.

7. Oslo, Norway

Oslo benefits from Scandinavia’s embrace of low-cost long-haul carriers. The key airlines are:

• SAS: Scandinavian Airlines offers direct flights from U.S. cities like New York, with competitive pricing.
• Norse Atlantic Airways: Provides direct flights, continuing the low-cost legacy of Norwegian Air.
• Icelandair: Offers connections via Reykjavík.
• Play Airlines: Provides affordable connections through Reykjavík.

Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport is a gateway to Scandinavia, with budget connections to other Nordic cities.

8. Bergen, Norway

Bergen, a scenic secondary city, is accessible through clever routing by budget carriers:

• Icelandair: Offers seasonal flights to Bergen via Reykjavík, making it a cost-effective option.
• SAS: Provides connections through Oslo or Copenhagen, often at competitive prices.

Bergen’s affordability makes it a great entry point for exploring Norway’s west coast.

9. London, United Kingdom

London’s six international airports and high flight volume make it one of the cheapest entry points to Europe. Budget airlines include:

• Norse Atlantic Airways: Offers direct flights to London Gatwick, pushing fares down.
• Aer Lingus: Provides flights to Heathrow and other London airports, often at competitive prices.
• Icelandair: Offers connections via Reykjavík.
• Play Airlines: Provides affordable connections through Reykjavík.

London’s role as a major hub ensures plenty of budget options for onward travel.

10. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen’s affordability stems from its status as a SAS hub and competition from low-cost carriers:

• SAS: Offers direct flights from U.S. cities and competitive pricing through its Copenhagen hub.
• Norse Atlantic Airways: May provide direct or connecting flights (NerdWallet).
• Icelandair: Offers connections via Reykjavík.
• Play Airlines: Provides affordable connections through Reykjavík.

Copenhagen’s connectivity makes it a budget-friendly gateway to Scandinavia.

11. Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki, while less common, offers affordable options through connections:

• Icelandair: Provides connections to Helsinki via Reykjavík, often at lower fares.
• Play Airlines: Offers similar connections through Reykjavík.
• SAS: Provides flights via Copenhagen or Stockholm, keeping fares competitive.

Helsinki’s affordability is enhanced by Finnair’s occasional sales, though it’s not a budget airline.

12. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a favorite for budget travelers, thanks to its low-cost carriers making it consistently one of the cheapest European cities to fly to from the United States.

• LEVEL: A budget airline based in Barcelona, offering direct flights from U.S. cities like New York and Boston.
• Iberia: Spain’s flag carrier provides competitive fares on direct routes and connections.
• Norse Atlantic Airways: May offer direct or connecting flights.
• Icelandair: Provides connections via Reykjavík.
• Play Airlines: Offers affordable connections through Reykjavík.

Barcelona’s robust network of intra-Europe budget airlines like Vueling makes it a great hub.

13. Madrid, Spain

Madrid competes closely with Barcelona, thanks to its large hub and airline competition:

• Iberia: Offers numerous direct flights from U.S. cities, with competitive pricing.
• LEVEL: As part of the IAG group, may provide flights to Madrid.
• Norse Atlantic Airways: May offer direct or connecting flights.
• Icelandair: Provides connections via Reykjavík.
• Play Airlines: Offers affordable connections through Reykjavík.

Madrid’s connectivity via budget airlines like Ryanair makes it a cost-effective entry point.

These European cities consistently offer cheaper flights from the U.S for three main reasons:

• High Number of Flights: Cities with many flights from the U.S. see intense competition among airlines. More flights mean more seats, which pushes prices down as carriers vie for passengers.
• Strategic Locations: Some cities, like Reykjavík, are geographically positioned as natural stopover points between the U.S. and Europe, making flights shorter and cheaper. Others, like London or Paris, are major hubs with connections across the continent.
• Budget and Affordable Carriers: Airlines like Norse Atlantic Airways, French Bee, and Icelandair specialize in low-cost transatlantic travel, offering both direct routes and affordable connections through hubs like Reykjavík or Lisbon.

Tips for Booking Affordable Flights

To maximize savings, consider these strategies:

• Book Early: Aim to book 4-5 months in advance for the best fares.
• Be Flexible: Traveling during off-peak months (e.g., winter) or midweek can lower costs.
• Use Comparison Sites: Check Kayak, Skyscanner, or Momondo to compare fares across airlines.
• Consider Connections: Flights with layovers, especially through Reykjavík, can be significantly cheaper than direct routes.
• Sign Up For Airfare Alerts: Get airfare alerts from Jetsetter Alerts.