Europe overview
Taking a cheap flight to Europe lands many a traveler smack bam in the middle of a life-changing experience. Getting lost in the romantic streets of Paris, sampling authentic German beers at the Oktoberfest, lazing on the heavenly beaches of Greece; these are but a drop in the ocean when compared to all the amazing experiences to be had on the majestic continent that is Europe. It’s not hard to understand why the appeal of Europe transcends boundaries, geography, and languages; it truly is a one of a kind destination where you might just lose your heart for good!
When is the best time to fly to Europe?
Peak season:
Depending on where it is you are heading, Europe’s peak tourism season varies dramatically. Most flights to and from Europe are more expensive during the summer months and school holidays, which run from May through September. If you are planning on visiting Spain or Greece, however, you’ll find that visiting during the winter months can be just as enjoyable as these countries experience year-round good weather. Just keep in mind that regardless of where you’re planning on touching down in Europe, ensure that you book your flight tickets well in advance to save on the price of airfare, especially if you’re looking at booking flights over the summer months.
Off season:
As with the summer Europe’s summer, the off season for tourism can vary widely depending on where exactly you plan on going. Eastern European countries have icy winters characterized by heavy snowfall, which might not be ideal for outdoor explorers, but it does offer plenty of fantastic skiing holiday opportunities. Popular destinations such as Germany and France have their off seasons during the winter months, which may see you landing cheap flight deals to Europe from the months of October through April.
When is the best time to book a flight to Europe?
Flights to Europe should preferably be booked at least two months in advance if you want to save money on the price of flight tickets. During the summer months and school holidays, this becomes an even more crucial aspect of saving with regards to airfare. Being a little flexible with your travel dates is still one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the best prices on your flight tickets to Europe, albeit prices will still vary greatly depending on what European destination you’re visiting.
How long is the flight to Europe?
Johannesburg to Paris 10 hours, 50 minutes
Johannesburg to Madrid 10 hours, 25 minutes
Johannesburg to Frankfurt 10 hours, 40 minutes
Which airlines operate flights to Europe?
There are plenty of airlines which all offer cheap flights to and from Europe, and which one you end up using, will likely depend on where exactly you plan on going and what your budget is. British Airways, Lufthansa, South African Airways, Air France, and KLM Royal Dutch Airways are but five of the major airlines operating flights between South Africa and Europe. The cheapest flights to Europe can often be found with British Airlines, although booking your flights with an airline such as South African Airlines may provide you with more onboard comfort. Go ahead and compare all of your options to determine which airline’s offerings best suit your individual needs.
How to get from the airport to the city center?
Madrid
There is an Airport Express bus that runs from the Madrid airport to the city center, which is a good option to use if you plan to disembark at one of its three routine stops. To get to your final destination after getting off the Airport Express, you can take the metro, but this might not be ideal for travelers with a lot of baggage. Alternatively, you can take a cab from the airport, but keep in mind that they are a lot more expensive to use than the bus, unless the fair is split among four people traveling together. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to get from the airport to the Madrid city center is to hop on the metro bus and catch a ride to the city.
Paris
You can quickly and easily reach the Paris city center by using the metro bus which runs from the airport. There are also a lot of buses that operate transfers between the airport and the city, although these take longer than the metro but are a little cheaper. If you’re not on a tight budget, you may also want to consider using a taxi, which is one of the most expensive ways to get to the city center, but also offer the quickest transport services to the city center of Paris from the airport.
Frankfurt
Germany’s rail system is very safe and efficient, and it’s also one of the best ways to get to the city center of Frankfurt. Some hotels offer a free shuttle service from the airport, so be sure to inquire whether or not your hotel offers this service. Alternatively, you may make use of one of the buses which operate transfers to and from the city center. The buses are some the cheapest and most convenient way to get to the city center if you’re not on a tight schedule.
