The rise of so-called budget airlines has transformed air travel around the world, especially in the UK and Europe. Easyjet, Ryanair, and others all have efficient airline operations, which is essential if they are to charge lower fares and still make a profit. Today, it is possible to fly from the major UK airports to just about anywhere in Europe at a low fare some of the budget airlines have also started offering service to other destinations such as Russia and North Africa. Easyjet, for example now operates over 600 routes in over 30 countries.

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The affordable fares have made flying a realistic alternative to training travel, for those who want to see as much of Europe as possible, and buying several one-way plane ticket can cost the same as one of the rail passes. Of course, if you fly on one of the budget airlines, you should not expect too much in the way of extras, such as free drinks, and the seating is likely to be cramped, although, for a flight of a few hours or less, it hardly matters. Keep in mind that some budget airlines serve airports that are some distance from the actual city, such as London Luton instead of Heathrow or Gatwick.

Flexibility is still important when it comes to getting the lowest fares, and in general traveling during the week is less expensive than Friday, Saturday, and Sunday travel. Book ahead as much as possible and try to have some alternate dates or times of travel. Airlines generally only have a certain number of seats at their widely advertised lower fares and changing your time of travel can often make a big difference.

Although it is easy to book online, if your trip involves several different flights or is more complex, call and speak to someone who can put together the lowest cost trip for you. Also, make sure you understand the cancellation policy and penalties many cheaper tickets don’t allow any changes and you cannot ‘skip’ a flight if you have booked a series of flights. Doing that will often invalidate the rest of your trip.

If you want to see as much of the UK and Europe as possible, and your budget and time are both limited, booking on one of the discount airlines can be a great deal. Just make sure you understand the limitations and are prepared to be flexible with your travel plans.