Best Low-Cost Airlines in Europe: Complete 2026 Comparison Guide

Best low-cost airlines in Europe compared: Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Wizz Air, Eurowings and more. Routes, baggage policies, prices, and tips to save.

Best Low-Cost Airlines in Europe: The Complete 2026 Comparison Guide

Europe is the promised land of low-cost air travel. With dozens of budget carriers competing across thousands of routes, flying between European cities can cost as little as €20 — if you know which airline to pick for each journey. But not all low-cost airlines are created equal: each has its own business model, baggage policies, route network, and even different airports.

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This guide compares the best low-cost airlines in Europe so you can choose the right one for your route, budget, and travel needs.

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Quick comparison (at a glance)

Airline Base Routes Carry-on baggage Seat selection Rating
Ryanair Ireland 230+ bases across Europe Small personal item only (free) Paid (priority boarding) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
easyJet UK 150+ airports Cabin bag included Free (random) or paid ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vueling Spain 100+ destinations Cabin bag included Paid (window/aisle) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wizz Air Hungary 190+ routes Small personal item only (free) Paid ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Air Europa Express Spain 30+ domestic destinations Cabin bag included Free ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Transavia Netherlands 100+ destinations Cabin bag included Free (online check-in) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eurowings Germany 150+ destinations Cabin bag included Paid (selection) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Volotea Spain 95+ destinations Cabin bag included Paid ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Norwegian Norway 100+ destinations Cabin bag included Paid ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

1. Ryanair — Europe’s biggest budget airline

Ryanair is by far Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, operating from over 230 bases and connecting practically every European city with another. Its model is simple: rock-bottom base fares, everything else costs extra.

The good:

  • The most extensive route network in Europe — if there’s a route, Ryanair probably flies it.
  • Unbeatable base prices, especially when booking several months ahead.
  • Young, uniform fleet (all Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX), reducing technical delays.

The not-so-good:

  • Very restrictive hand baggage: only one small personal item (40×20×25 cm) free. For a cabin suitcase you need Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.
  • Secondary airports: Ryanair often flies to airports far from city centers (e.g., Beauvais for Paris, Weeze for Düsseldorf, Girona for Barcelona).
  • Strict boarding process and high change fees.

Best for: Travelers with just a small backpack who book well ahead and don’t need flexibility.

💡 Compare Ryanair against other airlines on your route before booking. Search your flight on TopTravelCentre to see all options side by side.

2. easyJet — the balanced choice

easyJet is the second-largest low-cost airline in Europe and competes directly with Ryanair, but with a slightly different model: more is included in the base fare.

The good:

  • Cabin bag (56×45×25 cm) included in all fares at no extra cost.
  • Flies to main airports in most cities (London-Gatwick, Paris-CDG, Berlin-Brandenburg).
  • Excellent punctuality and customer service, consistently rated above Ryanair.
  • Worldwide connections: possibility to connect with long-haul flights through partners.

The not-so-good:

  • Smaller route network than Ryanair, especially in Eastern Europe.
  • Slightly higher prices on highly competitive routes.
  • Random seat assignment unless you pay (but you can pay to choose).

Best for: Travelers with a carry-on suitcase who value punctuality and prefer central airports.

3. Vueling — Spain’s leading low-cost airline

Vueling is the dominant low-cost carrier in Spain and one of the best options for flying within the Iberian Peninsula and connecting to the rest of Europe.

The good:

  • Barcelona-El Prat is its main hub: hundreds of daily flights connecting across Europe.
  • Cabin bag included in the basic fare.
  • Good mix of domestic and international routes.
  • Option to choose seats (window or aisle) at a moderate cost.

The not-so-good:

  • Outside Spain, coverage is more limited.
  • Basic fares don’t include checked baggage.
  • Change and cancellation fees are high on basic fares.

Best for: Travelers flying from or to Spain, especially from Barcelona.

4. Wizz Air — the best for Eastern Europe

Wizz Air is the most important low-cost carrier in Central and Eastern Europe, with a network stretching from Poland to the United Arab Emirates.

The good:

  • Extremely low fares on Eastern European routes.
  • Modern fleet (Airbus A320neo and A321neo), fuel-efficient and relatively new.
  • Good coverage of destinations underserved by other low-cost carriers.

The not-so-good:

  • Baggage policy similar to Ryanair: only one small personal item free.
  • Secondary airports on some destinations.
  • Customer service could be improved, with few contact channels.

Best for: Travelers exploring Eastern Europe or flying from cities like Budapest, Warsaw, or Bucharest.

5. Transavia — sunny low-cost from France & Netherlands

Transavia, the low-cost subsidiary of the Air France-KLM group, flies from the Netherlands and France to leisure destinations in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands.

The good:

  • Cabin bag included in the basic fare.
  • Excellent holiday destinations (Canary Islands, Greece, North Africa).
  • Links with the Air France-KLM long-haul network.

The not-so-good:

  • Limited network — primarily from the Netherlands and France as origins.
  • Lower frequency on routes compared to the big low-cost carriers.
  • Higher prices in peak season.

Best for: Travelers departing from Amsterdam, Paris, or Lyon heading to beach destinations.

6. Eurowings — Germany’s budget carrier

Eurowings, the low-cost subsidiary of Lufthansa, connects Germany with the rest of Europe and some long-haul destinations.

The good:

  • Cabin bag included (55×40×23 cm).
  • Connection to Lufthansa’s global network.
  • Good origin airports (Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Hamburg).

The not-so-good:

  • Prices slightly higher than Ryanair or easyJet on comparable routes.
  • Limited coverage outside Germany.
  • On German domestic routes, the train can be cheaper.

Best for: Travelers flying from Germany who want the peace of mind of a Lufthansa subsidiary.

7. Norwegian — Scandinavia’s low-cost champion

Norwegian revolutionized low-cost transatlantic flying, and although it has scaled back long-haul operations, it remains an excellent option for flying within Europe.

The good:

  • Excellent fleet (Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX) with good comfort.
  • Cabin bag included in the basic fare.
  • Above-average punctuality.
  • Wi-Fi on board on most aircraft.

The not-so-good:

  • Reduced network after the 2021 financial restructuring.
  • Primarily useful for flights originating in Scandinavia.
  • Higher prices than Ryanair or easyJet on shared routes.

Best for: Travelers flying from Norway, Sweden, or Denmark, or heading to Scandinavia.

8. Volotea — the mid-sized route specialist

Volotea is a Spanish low-cost carrier based in Asturias, specializing in short and medium-haul routes underserved by the major airlines.

The good:

  • Connects mid-sized European cities without going through major hubs.
  • Cabin bag included (55×40×20 cm).
  • Young fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft.

The not-so-good:

  • Limited network compared to Ryanair or easyJet.
  • Lower frequencies — there may only be 2-3 weekly flights per route.
  • Higher prices on routes without direct competition.

Best for: Travelers who need to connect secondary European cities without layovers.

How to choose the best low-cost airline for your route

There is no single “best low-cost airline in Europe” — it depends entirely on your specific route. Here’s a quick guide:

Routes within Spain

For domestic flights, Vueling and Iberia Express are the most solid options. Ryanair also covers many domestic routes but often uses secondary airports.

Routes to major European capitals

For flying between Europe’s major capitals, easyJet and Ryanair are the most competitive:

Routes to Italy

For flying to Italy, Ryanair and Vueling offer the best coverage:

Routes to Germany

For flying to Germany, Eurowings and Ryanair dominate:

💡 Compare every low-cost airline for your route in one place. Search your flight on TopTravelCentre — all airlines, best price in seconds.

Money-saving tips for low-cost airlines in Europe

No matter which airline you choose, these tips will help you pay less:

1. Travel with carry-on only

The biggest extra revenue source for low-cost carriers is checked baggage. If your trip is less than a week, traveling with just a backpack or cabin bag saves you €20–40 per leg. Ryanair and Wizz Air are especially strict: make sure your bag meets the exact dimensions (40×20×25 cm for Ryanair; 40×30×25 cm for Wizz Air).

2. Book 2-3 months in advance

European low-cost carriers typically release their lowest fares between 2 and 4 months before departure. Booking less than 3 weeks out usually means paying 50–100% more on the same route.

3. Fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday

As detailed in our complete guide to finding cheap flights, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are consistently the cheapest days to fly. Low-cost carriers adjust prices dynamically, and flying on a weekday is always cheaper than the weekend.

4. Always compare before you buy

Don’t assume Ryanair is always the cheapest. On many routes, easyJet or Vueling offer similar prices while including more services. The only way to be sure is to compare:

👉 Compare all airlines on TopTravelCentre — every option, one search engine.

5. Check in online and have your boarding pass ready

Low-cost airlines charge €20–55 for airport check-in. Always check in online between 7 days and 2 hours before your flight, and keep your boarding pass on your phone.

6. Don’t pay for seat selection if you’re traveling alone

If you’re traveling solo and don’t mind where you sit, skip the seat selection fee. On easyJet, Vueling, and Ryanair, you’ll be assigned a random seat for free. Check in as soon as it opens (7 days before) to maximize your options without paying.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest low-cost airline in Europe?

It depends on the route and season, but in terms of base fare, Ryanair is typically the cheapest, closely followed by Wizz Air in Eastern Europe. However, once you add carry-on baggage and seat selection, easyJet and Vueling can work out cheaper because they include more in the base price.

Ryanair vs. easyJet: which is better?

For short flights (under 3 hours), easyJet is better if you’re bringing a cabin bag, since it’s included in the base fare. Ryanair is better if you’re traveling with just a small backpack and want the absolute lowest price. On punctuality and customer service, easyJet consistently scores higher.

Is Vueling a low-cost airline?

Yes, Vueling is a low-cost carrier, though its model is more hybrid than Ryanair’s. It includes a cabin bag and offers more services than ultra-low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Which low-cost airlines fly to Barcelona?

Vueling has its main hub at Barcelona-El Prat, but the following also operate from Barcelona: Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Transavia (seasonal), Eurowings, Norwegian, and Volotea.

Do European low-cost carriers seat groups together?

Generally, no. If you don’t pay for seat selection, each passenger gets a random seat. To guarantee your family or group sits together, most airlines recommend paying for seat assignment. On easyJet, checking in as soon as it opens (30 days before) increases your chances of sitting close.

Is Ryanair Priority Boarding worth it?

Only if you’re bringing a cabin bag that doesn’t fit the small personal item size (40×20×25 cm). Priority boarding includes a larger cabin bag (55×40×20 cm) plus a small personal item. If you’re traveling with just a backpack, you don’t need it.

Summary: your guide to the best low-cost airline in Europe

  1. For the lowest possible price → Ryanair or Wizz Air (traveling with just a small backpack).
  2. For the best value → easyJet or Vueling.
  3. For flying from Germany → Eurowings.
  4. For flying from Scandinavia → Norwegian.
  5. For holiday destinations → Transavia.
  6. For secondary city routes → Volotea.
  7. Always compare before you buy — no single airline is cheapest on every route.

Once you’ve chosen your route and airline, compare every option in one place:

👉 Find your low-cost flight on TopTravelCentre — all airlines, best price guaranteed in seconds.

Guide updated August 2026. Prices and policies subject to change; always check the airline’s website before booking.