10 Most Affordable European Destinations To Fly To

A European vacation may be a bucket-list dream for some. Maybe it’s finally time to marvel at the Eiffel Tower, tour Rome’s historic Colosseum or just spend a few nights making new friends in a Dublin pub.

But when it comes time to finally commit to a overseas trip, budget is an important consideration. Some cities are simply cheaper to visit than others. Fortunately, travel-deals subscription site Going.com has researched which European cities are the most affordable to fly into.

The site looked at metro areas with at least 700,000 people, and reviewed data on how many economy-class deals it had sent out to premium members featuring those cities. It don’t consider certain budget airlines, ultra-last-minute dates or flights with terrible routing. It also prioritized volume of deals and average price, since one great deal might be an exception to the rule.

Remember, these are roundtrip flight deals only. You can obviously spend big, or small, in any European city, depending on activities, lodging and more. But take it from someone who just returned from a dream trip to Italy and Ireland: If you’re able to make it happen, the riches you receive from seeing a new part of the world repay you many times over.

Here are the top affordable European cities to fly into, according to Going.com.

10. Stockholm, Sweden

Average economy class airfare to this city: $850

Average deal airfare to this city: $556

Number of economy class deals in the past year: 64

Scenic Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, stretches across 14 islands, and there’s plenty to see there. Don’t miss Gamla stan, the city’s old town, with its cobbled streets and historic architecture.

Learn about Stockholm’s history at the Viking Museum, which features ninth-century Viking ships, or take a more modern journey at the ABBA museum. (Mamma mia!)

Stockholm receives direct flights from Chicago, Newark, New York and Miami, but Going.com notes there are plenty of one-stop flights from other U.S. cities.

9. Zurich, Switzerland

Average economy class airfare to this city: $850

Average deal airfare to this city: $533

Number of economy class deals in the past year: 65

Breathtaking Zurich is filled with activities, Stroll the historic old town, dine on the country’s famed Swiss fondue, wander the shores of Lake Zurich and explore the country’s history at the Swiss National Museum.

Day trips abound, if you’re eager to see the Alps, or explore “Heidiland,” home to the locations described in the famed children’s book by Johanna Spyri.

Don’t miss the Lindt Home of Chocolate, an interactive museum dedicated to the sweet treat. Roughly 60 airlines serve Zurich’s airport, and there are direct flights from both coasts and the Midwest.

8. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Average economy class airfare to this city: $850

Average deal airfare to this city: $553

Number of economy class deals in the past year: 72

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, has a special charm all its own. The city features more than 60 miles of canals, and canal cruises are a popular tourist attraction.

Amsterdam is rich in art and history as well. The Van Gogh Museum, historic Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House, which preserved the office annex where the young diarist and her family hid from the Nazis, are all well worth visits. Going.com notes that Amsterdam is served by direct flights from 19 U.S. cities, with service on four airlines.

7. Copenhagen, Denmark

Average economy class airfare to this city: $850

Average deal airfare to this city: $555

Number of economy class deals in the past year: 79

Denmark’s lovely capital is a must-visit for many reasons, from its charming waterfront restaurants to shopping on Strøget, its lively, pedestrian-only street. Those who love the country’s clean, distinct style should peruse the exhibits at the Danish Architecture Center. And don’t miss the world-famous Tivoli Gardens amusement park, home to rides, live performances and plenty of food. There are direct flights here from seven U.S. cities on both coasts.

6. Madrid, Spain

Average economy class airfare to this city: $850

Average deal airfare to this city: $518

Number of economy class deals in the past year: 82

Art lovers likely have Madrid, Spain’s capital city, on their must-see list. The Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums make up what’s called the “golden triangle” of art. Tapas and tavernas keep stomachs full and thirsts quenched, and the theater and music scene here is marvelous – seek out a flamenco dance performance if you can.

The Madrid airport is a major center for connections to other European cities, and there are direct flights here from 12 U.S. cities.

5. Rome, Italy

Average economy class airfare to this city: $850

Average deal airfare to this city: $551

Number of economy class deals in the past year: 83

Beautiful and historic Rome, the Eternal City, features history around every corner. Tour the Colosseum and Roman Forum, see the exquisite art in the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel, indulge in pizza and gelato near the Spanish Steps or toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain.

Rome’s Fiumicino Airport is served by direct flights from 10 U.S. cities on three airlines, Going.com reports, and once you’ve arrived in Rome, TrenItalia offers train service to Venice, Florence, Trieste and other Italian cities.

4. Milan, Italy

Average economy class airfare to this city: $850

Average deal airfare to this city: $532

Number of economy class deals in the past year: 85

Fashionable, elegant Milan is a favorite shopping stop for many visitors to Italy. Designer brands such as Prada, Versace, Armani and Valentino are headquartered here. And don’t miss the breathtaking Duomo cathedral and the famed La Scala opera house. Milan may not be as major a destination as Rome, but Going.com reports that six airlines offer direct flights from the New York City area, keeping prices low for U.S. travelers.

3. Barcelona, Spain

Average economy class airfare to this city: $850

Average deal airfare to this city: $525

Number of economy class deals in the past year: 86

Bustling Barcelona beckons to foodies, art and architecture lovers, and more. Artist Pablo Picasso spent his formative years here, so it’s fitting that the city’s Picasso Museum houses more than 4,000 of his works. Dine on paella, wander the tree-lined street known as La Rambla, and soak up the Spanish sun on the city’s many beaches.

Going.com named Barcelona’s airport No. 1 for cheap flights to Europe in 2022, thanks in part to the growing number of budget airlines flying here.

2. Dublin, Ireland

Average economy class airfare to this city: $850

Average deal airfare to this city: $554

Number of economy class deals in the past year: 91

Make it to Dublin, and the luck of the Irish will be yours — Ireland’s capital city is a lively, friendly destination. There’s a pub on almost every corner, all pouring pints and many featuring traditional live Irish music. Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral and the Book of Kells at Trinity College are favorite landmarks for tourists.

There are direct flights from 14 U.S. cities, both large and small, on five airlines.

1. Paris, France

Average economy class airfare to this city: $850

Average deal airfare to this city: $552

Number of economy class deals in the past year: 91

Does any city spin a more romantic web than Paris, the City of Light? Visit the sparkling Eiffel Tower, shop on the famed Champs-Elysees, view the art world’s masterpieces – including the “Mona Lisa” – at the Louvre Museum. But many of Paris’ joys are smaller and less expensive – start your day with a fresh baguette at any city bakery, snack on a crepe made fresh at a street stand, snap a selfie on a bridge over the Seine.

And of course, airlines want to make it easy for tourists to get there. Going.com notes that you can reach Paris from almost any U.S. city with only one stop, and 19 U.S. routes fly there.