Cheapest Months to Fly to Europe (and How to Find the Lowest Fares)
11 November 2026 · GoFlyLo Blog
Flying to Europe can cost half as much — or twice as much — depending on the month you travel. The same flight from Lahore or Karachi to London can cost $400 in February and $900 in July. The difference is not the airline or the route. It is the season. Airlines raise prices when everyone wants to travel and drop them when planes fly half-empty. If you can choose your dates, you can save hundreds of dollars with no extra effort. This guide shows the cheapest months to fly to Europe, the months to avoid, and a simple step-by-step method to find the lowest fare for your trip.
TL;DR — The Short Version
Cheapest months: January, February and November.
Also cheap: early March and the first two weeks of December.
Most expensive: June, July, August and the Christmas–New Year week.
Best booking time: 6–8 weeks before departure.
Best days to fly: midweek is often cheapest — but compare a few nearby dates, because the cheapest day changes by route.
Where to search: compare fares on Aviasales, then check Kiwi.com for cheaper creative routes.
The Cheapest Months to Fly to Europe
January and February are the cheapest months of the year. After the Christmas holidays, travel demand falls sharply. Families are back at work and school, the weather in Europe is cold, and airlines cut prices to fill seats. A return flight that costs $800 in summer can cost $350–$450 in January or February.
If you do not mind cold weather, these two months give you the biggest saving of the year.
November is the next cheapest month. The autumn crowds are gone, the Christmas rush has not started yet, and airlines run sales to fill November flights. The first two weeks of December are also cheap — but only until about 15 December, when Christmas travel pushes prices up fast.
Early March can be cheap too, especially the first week, before the spring holidays begin. March weather in southern Europe — Spain, Italy, Greece — is already mild, so it is a good month for a budget trip.
The Most Expensive Months to Avoid
June, July and August are the most expensive months. This is school holiday season across Europe and the busiest time for flights from Asia and the Middle East. Prices can be double the winter fare, and the cheapest seats sell out months ahead.
If you must travel in summer, book as early as you can — at least 3–4 months before departure.
The Christmas and New Year week (around 20 December to 2 January) is also very expensive, sometimes even more than summer. Easter week is another price peak, because many Europeans travel for the holiday. If your dates are flexible, avoid these weeks completely.
May and September are in the middle. They are not the cheapest, but they are much cheaper than summer — and the weather is often better than in winter. For many travellers, May and September are the best balance of price and weather.
How to Find the Lowest Fares — Step by Step
Step 1: Search on Aviasales first. Aviasales compares hundreds of airlines and shows the cheapest dates in a calendar view.
Try your dates, then move them a few days in either direction — flying midweek instead of Friday can save $50–$100 on the same route, but always compare nearby dates, because the cheapest day changes by route and season. Read our Aviasales guide to learn how the search works.
Step 2: Check Kiwi.com for creative routes. Kiwi.com can combine two separate tickets into one trip — for example, flying to a cheaper nearby city and then taking a short second flight. This often beats the direct flight price by a large amount.
Read our Kiwi.com guide before you book a combined ticket, so you understand the connection rules.
Step 3: Book 6–8 weeks before departure. For most Europe routes, this is the sweet spot. Booking a year early rarely helps, and booking in the last two weeks is almost always expensive.
Step 4: Fly midweek and at odd hours. Early morning and late night flights are usually cheaper than midday flights.
Step 5: Be flexible with airports. Flying into a nearby airport — for example, flying to Paris Beauvais instead of Paris Charles de Gaulle — can save money, but check the transfer time and cost to the city centre before you book.
One last tip: if you need a visa, read our Schengen visa guide before you book a non-refundable ticket. And if Paris is on your list, our Paris travel guide has real daily costs and the best areas to stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest month to fly to Europe?
January is usually the cheapest month, followed by February and November. Flights in these months can cost half the summer price.
How far in advance should I book a flight to Europe?
About 6–8 weeks before departure is the best time for most routes. Booking too early or too late usually costs more.
Are Tuesday flights really cheaper?
Sometimes. Tuesday and Wednesday are often quieter days, but there is no rule that works for every route — the cheapest day changes with the season and the airline, so compare a few nearby dates instead of trusting one weekday.
Is it cheaper to fly in summer or winter to Europe?
Winter is much cheaper. Summer (June to August) is the most expensive season, with fares often double the winter price.
Related Guides
Aviasales — Full Guide · Kiwi.com — Full Guide · Schengen Visa Guide · Paris Travel Guide
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