Cheap Flights from NYC to Europe – 2025 Guide

 

Cheap Flights from NYC to Europe – 2025 Guide

Planning a trip to Europe from NYC in 2025 doesn't have to break the bank! Here's a comprehensive guide to finding cheap flights:

When to Fly for the Cheapest Fares

Timing is crucial for securing affordable flights. Here's a breakdown for 2025:

• Cheapest Months:

  • January-February: Post-holiday deals make these months the absolute cheapest for international travel (around 15% below holiday rates).

  • March-April: Off-peak spring savings.

  • May: Early summer deals before the peak season.

  • August: Late summer price drops, with international fares potentially dropping by 29% compared to June.

  • September-October: Fall brings 10% lower fares than summer, with best savings post-Labor Day and mid-October.

  • November-December: Book early (45-60 days ahead) for pre-holiday travel deals.

• Cheapest Days to Fly: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays often offer more affordable fares. Flying early to mid-week can save 13-20% compared to weekend flights.

• Best Time to Book:

  • For international flights, prices are generally lowest between 50 and 101 days before your trip.

  • It's generally best practice to book as early as you can, as average prices tend to rise within 50 days of the flight itself.

  • While there isn't a "cheapest day to book," some sources suggest booking on Tuesdays or Wednesdays when airlines may launch sales or adjust fares.

Budget-Friendly Airlines Flying from NYC to Europe

Several airlines consistently offer competitive fares from New York airports (JFK, EWR) to Europe:

• Norse Atlantic Airways: Known for some of the cheapest nonstop flights to cities like London (Gatwick), Oslo, and Berlin.

• PLAY Airlines: An ultra-low-cost carrier based in Iceland, offering very low base fares, often $250-$400 round trip when on sale.

• TAP Air Portugal: Combines full-service quality with discount fares, frequently offering competitive prices and a stopover program in Portugal.

• Icelandair: Often ranks among airlines with cheap flights to Europe due to frequent fare deals and a unique Iceland stopover program.

• French Bee: A top option for direct, cheap flights to Paris from select U.S. departure cities including Newark.

• SAS Scandinavian Airlines: A legacy carrier that can offer competitive fares, especially during sales, particularly to Scandinavia.

Cheapest European Cities to Fly Into from NYC

Consider these cities as your entry points for potentially lower fares:

• Lisbon, Portugal: Consistently offers affordable flights from North America due to low-cost airlines and competition.

• London (Gatwick/Heathrow), UK: A major hub with multiple airports, making it a strategic and often cheap entry point with options like Norse Atlantic and Aer Lingus.

• Paris, France: Despite its reputation, flights to Paris can be surprisingly affordable, especially with airlines like French Bee.

• Reykjavik, Iceland: Its strategic location between the U.S. and Europe makes flights shorter and often cheaper, especially with Play Airlines and Icelandair.

• Dublin, Ireland: A major hub for Aer Lingus and Ryanair, offering competitive prices and easy connections to other European cities.

• Rome, Italy: Fiumicino Airport often has surprisingly affordable flights due to the presence of low-cost carriers like Norse Atlantic Airways.

• Berlin, Germany: Benefits from past low-cost carrier experiments and ongoing competition.

• Oslo, Norway: Scandinavia's embrace of low-cost long-haul carriers can make Oslo a budget-friendly option.

• Madrid, Spain: Often one of the cheapest Western European cities to fly into, particularly with Iberia and budget carriers.

• Milan, Italy: A good budget-friendly option for exploring Italy and Europe, served by several airlines.

• Copenhagen, Denmark: Affordable due to its status as a SAS hub and competition from low-cost carriers.

• Frankfurt, Germany: One of Europe's largest international flight hubs, leading to competitive pricing.

Tips for Finding Cheap Flights

• Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations: This is the #1 rule. If you're not tied to specific dates or a particular city, you'll find the best deals. Use "flexible dates" or "explore" options on flight search engines.

• Use Flight Comparison Tools:

  • Google Flights: Excellent for quickly seeing average prices on a calendar view and tracking price changes. Allows you to add multiple departure and arrival airports.

  • Skyscanner: Great for finding the cheapest month to fly to a region (e.g., "Europe") if you're open to destination.

  • Kayak: Another strong comparison site that shows deals from various airlines and online travel agencies.

  • Trip.com: Compare flights and find great deals. https://trip.tpk.mx/j22by1YZ

• Consider Alternate Airports: Flying into or out of a smaller or secondary airport in a region can often lead to significantly lower fares (e.g., London Gatwick (LGW) instead of Heathrow (LHR), or smaller airports near major cities).

• Don't Dismiss Layovers: Flights with layovers are almost always cheaper than nonstop flights. You can save 25% or more by opting for a connecting flight.

• Think About Open-Jaw Tickets: Fly into one city and out of another to save time and money on backtracking.

• Consider Budget European Airlines for Internal Travel: Once you're in Europe, ultra-budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air offer incredibly cheap flights between European cities, often for less than a taxi ride. Fly into a major hub like Lisbon, London, or Reykjavik, then grab a cheap onward flight.

• Sign Up for Price Alerts: Many flight comparison websites allow you to set up alerts for specific routes, notifying you when prices drop.

• Be Aware of Dynamic Pricing: Airlines use algorithms that adjust prices based on demand. Prices can fluctuate, so if you see a good deal, it's often best to book it.

• Check Airline Websites Directly: While comparison sites are great, sometimes airlines offer exclusive deals on their own websites.

• Clear Your Cookies/Use Incognito Mode: Some theories suggest that airlines track your searches and may raise prices if you repeatedly search for the same route. While not definitively proven, it doesn't hurt to try.

• Plan Your Ground Transportation:

  • Pre-book reliable airport transfers. 

  • Compare prices for car transfers and rentals with a driver. 

• Find Affordable Accommodation:

  • Search and compare hotel prices from various booking sites. 

• Know Your Passenger Rights:

  • Get compensated for delayed or canceled flights.

By employing these strategies and staying flexible, you'll be well on your way to finding cheap flights from NYC to Europe in 2025!