Is Tuesday really the cheapest day to fly?

Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically 10-15% cheaper than Friday-Sunday flights. The old myth about Tuesday being the best day to book flights is largely false—timing matters more than the day you purchase.

Should I book one-way or round-trip tickets?

Round-trip is almost always cheaper for transatlantic flights, often by $200-400. The exception is if you're planning to fly home from a different city or on a different date more than 6 months later.

How much do I save flying into London vs other cities?

London typically offers flights $100-300 cheaper than other European destinations from North America due to competition and hub size. Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris are the next most affordable entry points.

Are error fares worth chasing?

True error fares happen maybe 10 times per year and sell out in hours. Don't build travel plans around them. Focus on consistently available strategies like flexible dates and positioning flights instead.

How to find cheap flights to Europe

Book flights to Europe 6-8 weeks in advance, be flexible with dates and nearby airports, and use flight comparison sites like Google Flights or Skyscanner. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically cheapest, and flying into major hubs like London, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt often costs less than smaller cities.

Start with flexible dates and destinations. Use Google Flights' calendar view or Skyscanner's whole month search. If you can travel within a 2-week window, you'll save 20-40% compared to fixed dates. Consider multiple European cities as entry points—flying into London then taking a budget airline to your final destination often costs less than flying direct.
Check multiple airports in your departure city. Search from all airports within 2 hours of home. In New York, check JFK, LGA, and EWR. In London, search LHR, LGW, STN, and LTN. Budget carriers often use secondary airports with lower fees, passing savings to you.
Book 6-8 weeks before departure. This is the sweet spot for transatlantic flights. Earlier than 10 weeks and prices haven't dropped yet. Later than 4 weeks and you're paying premium pricing. Set price alerts if you're not ready to book immediately.
Consider budget airlines for positioning. Fly into a major hub on a full-service carrier, then connect on Ryanair, EasyJet, or Wizz Air to your final destination. A New York-London-Barcelona route often costs $200 less than direct to Barcelona. Factor in connection time and baggage fees.
Clear cookies and use incognito mode. Airlines track your searches and may increase prices after multiple visits. Use private browsing or clear cookies between searches. Some travelers see price increases of $50-100 after repeated searches for the same route.
Check airline websites directly. After finding flights on comparison sites, check the airline's website directly. Some carriers don't share their lowest fares with third parties, and you'll avoid booking fees. Southwest notably doesn't appear on comparison sites.

Is Tuesday really the cheapest day to fly?: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically 10-15% cheaper than Friday-Sunday flights. The old myth about Tuesday being the best day to book flights is largely false—timing matters more than the day you purchase.
Should I book one-way or round-trip tickets?: Round-trip is almost always cheaper for transatlantic flights, often by $200-400. The exception is if you're planning to fly home from a different city or on a different date more than 6 months later.
How much do I save flying into London vs other cities?: London typically offers flights $100-300 cheaper than other European destinations from North America due to competition and hub size. Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris are the next most affordable entry points.
Are error fares worth chasing?: True error fares happen maybe 10 times per year and sell out in hours. Don't build travel plans around them. Focus on consistently available strategies like flexible dates and positioning flights instead.