Cheap Flights in Europe

I won't make a habit of talking about big corporations in my blog, but if you come to Europe for 2 weeks or more, you will want to know that these resources are available and how to best take advantage of them.

To get to Europe, book a flight using a major internet travel company.  I have purchased trans-atlantic flights with each one listed below.  These sites offer the best prices and save you a lot of time.

• Travelocity 
• Orbitz

• Kayak

Once you are in Europe check out Ryanair. Based in Ireland, Ryanair is famous for cheap flights within Europe.  They follow the Southwest Airlines model of using smaller airports near big cities, and flying only Boeing 737s.  Flights can be as low as 5 Euros each way per person (NO KIDDING).  Each person can only carry on one bag weighing up to 22 pounds (10 kilos).  An extra bag costs about $30 each way.



We flew Ryanair to Pisa for cheap
and took a train to Cinque Terra. 
This is my cousin. 

 Their model makes it easy to take an adventerous weekend, as they almost always offer some kind of low cost deal.   My family, with a visiting cousin in tow, flew for a 4 day weekend from Frankfurt to Pisa round trip for around $300.  This allowed us to rent an apartment in Lucca travel by train to the beaches and villages.  It  is not just for family travel.  Singles can go to Ibiza to party.  Couples can relax in Greece or Stockholm.  Skiiers can hit the Alps.

If you can deal with the baggage issue, and don't mind walking outside to board the plane, then they are a great way to fly.  The planes are clean and look brand new.  The destinations are fabulous. (See the map below)

So once you book your flight on one of the major travel sites to get to Europe, then look at settling down near one of Ryanair's hubs (Frankfurt Hahn) go to their site and click on the red squares on the route map and see where they fly. 

Ryan Air destinations.

One neat thing is that they play a little tune over the intercom, and everyone cheers upon landing.  My kids love it.

Other competitors in the cheap airline market are:

• Easyjet
• Aer Lingus
• Berlin Air
• German Wings

We flew Ryanair From Frankfurt Hahn
to Santiago de Compostela. 
This cathedral is the burial place of St James.

Be prepared to go somewhere for cheap while you are here.  Consider basing yourself near one of Ryanair's hubs.  I'm lucky to live near Frankfurt and I have flown to NW Spain and to the Pisa area of Italy.