2025 Updated Guide
Cheap Flights From UK to Europe (2025 Master Guide)
You can still fly to Europe for the price of a train ticket to Leeds. But baggage fees have skyrocketed. This guide shows how to navigate budget airlines to get £20 return tickets.
Quick Cost & Flight Summary
| Cheapest Country | Poland / Italy / Ireland |
| Cheapest Airline | Ryanair |
| Avg Short-Haul Cost | £30 - £100 |
| Best Train Alt | Eurostar (Paris/Amsterdam) |
| Hidden Cost | Cabin Bags (£25-£40 each way) |
# The 'Big Three' Budget Airlines Compared
Ticket price is just the start. Here is the real cost of flying "low cost".
| Airline | Base Fare | Cabin Bag Cost | Legroom | Strictness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | £15 - £50 | High (£20-£35) | Tight (30") | Extreme (Sizers used) |
| EasyJet | £30 - £70 | Medium (£20-£40) | Standard | Moderate |
| Wizz Air | £20 - £60 | High (£25-£50) | Tight | Extreme |
# Top 5 Cheapest Destinations from UK (2025)
- Tirana, Albania: The new Croatia. Flights often £30 return. Beautiful beaches nearby.
- Milan (Bergamo), Italy: Ryanair's hub. Great gateway to the lakes.
- Dublin, Ireland: £15 flights common from almost every UK airport.
- Katowice/Krakow, Poland: Consistently the cheapest flights available from Luton.
- Faro, Portugal: Cheap winter sun destination.
# Train vs Plane
Don't forget the Eurostar. For Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, it's center-to-center. When you factor in airport transfers (~£30 each end) and baggage fees, the £80 Eurostar ticket is often cheaper than the '£30' flight.