Cheapest Cities in Europe to Fly to from Canada and the US

Want to travel around Europe without spending all your money? You're not the only one. Every year, thousands of people from North America discover that they can have fun in Europe on a budget by planning their flights wisely. Budget airlines will connect them to other cities across the continent. Knowing which gateway cities offer the best deals makes traveling to Europe less of a luxury and more of a reality.
Before you even start packing your bags, you need to know how to travel cheaply in Europe. The city you choose to arrive in has a significant effect on the overall cost of your trip. Due to competition among airlines, efficient hub airports, and favorable routes from North America, some European destinations consistently offer lower fares. Let's explore the affordable gateways that make dreams of traveling to Europe a reality.

Understanding Flight Pricing to Europe

Before booking a flight to a specific destination, it's helpful to understand the factors that contribute to the higher cost of transatlantic flights.

Why Some European Cities Are Cheaper to Reach

Major airline hubs with multiple carriers competing for passengers typically offer the lowest fares. Cities like London, Paris, and Dublin host numerous airlines operating transatlantic routes, creating price competition that benefits travelers. These hubs also serve as connection points for budget European carriers, allowing you to extend your savings beyond the initial flight.

• Direct flight availability significantly affects pricing. Routes with daily direct flights from multiple North American cities maintain competitive pricing. Less popular routes with limited service often carry premium prices despite shorter distances.
• Airport efficiency and landing fees also influence ticket costs. Airports with streamlined operations and lower fees enable airlines to offer more competitive prices. Secondary airports near major cities sometimes offer even better deals, although you'll need to factor in the costs of ground transportation.
• Peak vs. Off-Peak Travel Timing

The prices of flights to Europe change a lot depending on when you travel. The summer months, from June to August, are when prices are highest due to high demand for vacations and favorable weather conditions. Prices also go up a lot during holidays like Christmas, New Year's, and Easter.

The best times to travel are in the spring (April to May) and fall (September to October), when the weather is good and the prices are low. During the winter months, except for holidays, prices tend to be the lowest, but the weather can be unfavorable, and some attractions have shorter hours.

Booking flight through PlaninGo allows you to compare prices across multiple months, helping you identify the most affordable travel windows while ensuring good weather and full attraction availability.

Don't forget, the Day of the week matters for transatlantic flights. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday departures typically cost less than flights on weekends. Flexibility with travel dates can save hundreds of dollars per ticket.

Before diving into the list, listen to our short Guide:

Top Budget-Friendly European Gateways from North America

Following, cities always have the best prices for flights across the Atlantic, so they are great places to start your European adventure.

• London: The Top Spot to Cross the Atlantic
  London is one of the most affordable European cities to fly into, due to its numerous airports and a wide range of airlines that operate there. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton airports all offer international flights, resulting in significant competition.
  British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, and United are among the largest airlines that fly directly to numerous North American cities regularly. Budget airlines like Norse Atlantic Airways have also started flying on key routes, which has further lowered prices.
  London is an excellent starting point for exploring both the UK and continental Europe. The city has numerous train connections, and it takes just over two hours to reach Paris and less than two hours to reach Brussels. Cheap airlines from London's airports fly all over Europe, and round-trip tickets are often less than $50.
  There are accommodations available in the city to suit every budget. London is renowned for its expensive hotels, but there are also affordable neighborhoods and hostels where you can stay. Staying outside the city center is practical and inexpensive due to the city's extensive public transportation system.
  
• Paris: Culture and Low Prices
  Paris is one of the cheapest cities in Europe to fly into, along with London. Many transatlantic airlines compete for North American passengers at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
  Air France, Delta, United, American Airlines, and several other major airlines offer direct flights from cities throughout the US and Canada. The number of flights causes prices to compete with each other, which is suitable for travelers. Norwegian Air and other low-cost airlines have also flown essential routes, but the level of service changes with the seasons.
  Paris is the best place in Europe to start exploring. The city is located in the heart of France and is easily accessible from other countries in the region. High-speed trains can get you to Brussels in 90 minutes, London in two hours, and many other big cities in a few hours.
  Even though Paris is known for being expensive, it is actually a great value. Parks, street markets, and amazing buildings are just a few of the free attractions that will keep you busy. Affordable neighborhoods outside of tourist areas offer good metro access and budget-friendly accommodations.
  
• Dublin: The Irish Gateway Advantage
  Dublin has become an unexpectedly cheap way to get across the Atlantic. Aer Lingus has a lot of routes in North America at competitive prices. Other airlines add competition on essential routes.
  The US pre-clearance facility at Dublin Airport has some unique benefits. Before leaving Dublin, American travelers go through customs and immigration. When they arrive in the US, they are considered domestic passengers. This saves a lot of time when you get back and makes it less stressful to miss a connection.
  Travelers from Montreal often find the best deals to London, Amsterdam, and Dublin. Irish connections are powerful for Canadian departures. Dublin is easy to navigate when you have a short layover or visit.
  Many budget airlines, such as Ryanair, frequently fly out of Dublin, making it easy and affordable to travel to other European destinations. This mix of cheap flights across the Atlantic and cheap flights within Europe gives you the most value for your money when you travel.

For more details on budget-friendly European airports, check out our guide to the top 10 cheapest European airports.

• Reykjavik: The Icelandic Stopover Plan
  Reykjavik, Copenhagen, and Paris are among the most affordable European cities for people from Toronto to fly into. Icelandair's business model of promoting Iceland as a stopover destination creates unique value opportunities.
  When flying between North America and Europe, the airline lets you stop in Iceland for free for up to seven days. This means you can travel to Iceland without incurring additional airfare costs to reach your final European destination. The plan involves making two trips to visit two places.
  Reykjavik offers competitive prices comparable to those of major North American cities. Iceland is a relatively affordable destination to visit and a convenient hub for connecting to other places, as flights there are often cheaper than direct flights to mainland Europe.
  Iceland boasts stunning landscapes, geothermal hot springs, and the Northern Lights, making it a fantastic destination to visit. The stopover program allows you to see these sights before continuing to mainland Europe, making your trip more exciting.
  
• Lisbon: The Gateway to Portuguese Values
  TAP Air Portugal offers competitive transatlantic fares and a comprehensive network of flights to and from Europe. Travelers can save money by flying through Lisbon with them. The capital of Portugal offers affordable flights and reasonable prices in the area.
  TAP Air Portugal offers numerous flights from cities in North America, and its prices are often lower than those of its competitors. The airline also allows you to stop in Lisbon for free, which enables you to see more of Portugal before continuing to other European cities.
  Lisbon is a great place to visit because it offers so much value. Most of the time, accommodations, food, and attractions are much cheaper than in other Western European capitals. The beautiful coastal city boasts a rich history, a vibrant culture, and stunning architecture, all at prices that won't break the bank.
  Since the airport is located within the city limits, traveling there by car is more convenient. For a low cost, the metro can take you to central Lisbon in under 30 minutes.

Regional Considerations: Best Options by Departure City

Selecting the proper arrival city has a significant effect on which European cities have the best deals. Regional pricing patterns are caused by geographic proximity and airline route networks.

The best choices for people traveling to the US East Coast

New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., and other East Coast cities offer the shortest flights across the Atlantic and the most flight options. Because numerous flights and airlines are competing with each other, these places often find great deals on flights to London, Paris, and Dublin.
Norwegian Air and other low-cost airlines have focused heavily on routes on the East Coast, which has driven down prices for all their competitors. During sales, round-trip fares under $400 are standard. If you plan, you can find even better deals.
East Coast cities can also find good deals on secondary destinations, such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Copenhagen. There are numerous direct flights, so you don't have to fly to just the main hubs.

• The Best Options for Travelers from Canada
  People traveling from Toronto to Reykjavik, Copenhagen, and Paris can find good deals. People traveling from Montreal to London, Amsterdam, and Dublin can often find the best deals. Even though some US routes are cheaper, Canadian departure cities have strong connections to Europe. Before anything, for Toronto residents, explore our comprehensive guide to the cheapest flights from Toronto to Europe, which includes detailed route analysis and booking strategies.
  Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, and several European airlines offer numerous flights to and from Canada. Recently, competition has intensified, resulting in lower prices for Canadian travelers. Icelandair and TAP Air Portugal offer excellent stopover programs that provide great value for your money.
  Travelers from Vancouver typically find that Madrid and Barcelona are the most affordable destinations in Spain. Still, since they are on the Pacific route, flights to most European cities tend to be longer. Even with the extra segment, sometimes positioning flights to Toronto or Montreal can save you money.
  

The Best Choices for People Traveling to the US West Coast
Flights from the West Coast to Europe are typically more protracted and more expensive to begin with. However, some routes still offer good value for money. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle all offer direct flights to major European cities.
Icelandair's Reykjavik route is an excellent deal for people traveling from the West Coast. The stop in Iceland breaks up the long trip and lets you see things that are unique to that country. Although they are far apart, London and Paris remain good choices.

PlaninGo's flexible search options help travelers on the West Coast find the most affordable routes by comparing direct flights to the savings that can be made by connecting through cities on the East Coast or in Canada.

Money-Saving Strategies Beyond Choosing Your Gateway

Choosing the proper city to arrive in is only the first step in getting the most out of your trip to Europe. Extra strategies add to your savings.
Timing and flexibility in booking strategically
For the best prices, book international flights 60 to 90 days in advance of departure. Booking early sometimes gets you better deals during flash sales, but booking later almost never gets you better prices. Use flight tracking services to set price alerts for the routes you want to take.

Being able to change your exact dates can save you a lot of money. Changing your travel dates by even a few days can often help you find better deals. Flights that leave in the middle of the week are usually cheaper than those that go on the weekend.
When you mix airlines or use budget carriers, one-way tickets can sometimes be cheaper than round-trip tickets. PlaninGo makes it easy to compare one-way and round-trip options, so you never pay too much because you think you have to go both ways.

• Connections Between Budget Airlines In Europe

Budget airlines fly all over Europe from major gateway cities. Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and other airlines offer very low-cost flights between European cities. These airlines make it affordable to fly to multiple destinations.
When you book ahead of time, round-trip tickets on budget airlines usually cost between $20 and $50. With these prices, you can go to more than one country for less than staying in one place. However, be aware of the limitations, including extra fees for luggage, no meals, and occasionally inconvenient departure times.

You should book your budget European flights separately from your transatlantic ticket. This gives you some leeway if your international flight is delayed. If your transatlantic flight is delayed, allow yourself sufficient time to connect and avoid missing budget flights.

• Accommodation and Local Transportation Savings
  If the cost of lodging is more than you can afford, cheap flights don't matter. European cities offer a diverse range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and apartment rentals. Staying away from tourist areas and using public transportation usually saves money and gives you a genuine sense of the area.
  In many European cities, you can get around easily and cheaply on public transportation. Multiple-day transit passes are often a better deal than single tickets. Walking is still the most affordable way to get around, and it allows you to see neighborhoods that tourists usually overlook. At the end, check the budget travel packing list to ensure you bring everything you need without overspending on travel gear.

Important attention:

When searching for accommodations through PlaninGo, filter by distance from public transportation rather than just airport or city center proximity, often finding better value without sacrificing convenience.

Conclusion: Find Your Affordable European Flight

When you know which cities are the best deals, you can definitely fly to Europe on a budget. London and Paris have the best cheap flights across the Atlantic. Dublin, Reykjavik, and Lisbon are also great options, each with its own set of benefits. Your departure city affects which destinations have the best prices, but being flexible and planning can help you save money, regardless of where you are.
PlaninGo can help you start planning your cheap trip to Europe right now. You can look at different flight options from other gateway cities, see how prices change based on when you travel, and find the best deals on places to stay that fit your budget. PlaninGo makes it easy to find the best value routes and book everything you need for your perfect European vacation at prices that won't break the bank.