Europe overview
When is the best time to fly to Europe?
Peak Season:
The peak season in Europe depends entirely on where you are going. You'll find flights to Europe more expensive during the summer and school holidays, and generally from May until September is the peak months. However Southern Spain and parts of Greece have very pleasant weather during the winter too, so it all varies because of how big Europe is. You'll want to secure your flight tickets early though to make savings on your flights to Europe, especially if you are visiting during a festival or half-term holiday.
Off Season:
Again this varies tremendously depending on where your flights to Europe are taking you. Countries such as Bulgaria and other Eastern European countries suffer from extremely low temperatures and lots of snowfall, however they have great ski and Winter sports activities on. Most popular destinations such as Spain, France and Germany are in the quietest period during the winter, so you'll find cheap flights to Europe then, as well as good deals on your accommodation too. The cost of flight tickets also vary drastically depending on your country of choice so research several countries and find one that suits you before booking your flights to Europe.
When is the best time to book a flight to Europe?
Aim to book your flights to Europe at least a month or two in advance the save money on your flight tickets. This is especially necessary during the summer and during festivals as the cost of flights to Europe will shoot up during the peak season. In the winter you can grab bargains on flights to Europe and on accommodation, and while you can find deals last minute it's still suggested to secure your flight tickets early. If you are flexible then you can find great deals on flights to Europe, but the price will vary drastically from one European country to the next so decide on your ideal vacation destination before looking for flights to Europe.
How long is the flight to Europe?
Flights from London (All airports) to Paris - 1 hours 20 minutes
Flights from Manchester to Paris - 1 hour 30 minutes
Flights from Birmingham to Frankfurt - 1 hour 55 minutes
Flights from Glasgow to Madrid - 4 hours 40 minutes
Which airlines operate flights to Europe?
There are loads of airlines that offer flights to Europe, so it all depends on exactly where you want to travel. Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, Norwegian and Monarch are just five of many airlines. You'll find cheap flights to Europe with Ryanair, although they add a hefty fee for checked in baggage during the summer so compare a few and see what airline works best for you.
How to get from the airport to the city centre?
Madrid:
You can get the Airport Express directly from the airport, although it only makes 3 stops before returning the airport. Due to this you'll have to jump on the metro to get to your final destination in Madrid, so if you're carrying lots of baggage this can be quite tiresome and inconvenient. Another option is to get a taxi directly from the airport, although this can be quite costly. If there are a few of you to split the fare though, a taxi can be an ideal transport option. Perhaps the easiest way is to jump on the metro from T1 or T4 and go straight to the centre of the city. The metro runs regularly and is an effective way to travel.
Paris:
The easiest and one of the quickest ways to get to the centre of Paris is to jump on the metro directly from the airport. A slightly cheaper option, although not as quick, is to get a bus. There is a regular bus service that operates from the airport and you can find times and destinations at the airport. Lastly you can opt for a taxi, although taxis in France are quite expensive. This is a quick way to get to your hotel so if you're travelling with friends it can be a great option.
Frankfurt:
From Frankfurt airport you can get trains to any major city in Germany, as well as to the centre of Frankfurt. You might also get a free shuttle transfer from your hotel, so once you've booked your flights to Europe, browse accommodation and see if you can find a hotel that offers this service as it makes getting to the city easy and cheap. If you want you can also get a taxi, it'll take around 20-30 minutes depending on traffic but will cost more than the train. The cheapest option is to get one of the many buses that operate to and from the airport, you can find more information out regarding times and specific locations once you've arrived in the airport.
