Lyla Lindsey
Planning a trip to Europe from Australia? You're in for a treat, but it's no secret that the journey can be a long and expensive affair. Luckily, there are ways to make your trip more affordable. When deciding where to fly into Europe, consider the following: London is one of the cheapest places to fly to from Australia, thanks to the high demand and multiple operators offering flights. Amsterdam, Athens, Madrid, Rome, and Milan are also budget-friendly options, with low-cost airlines and convenient layover options. To save money, book in advance, travel during the off-season, and compare prices between Sydney and Melbourne as departure points.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheapest cities to fly into | Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam, London |
| Factors that affect flight prices | Number of layovers, time of year, taxes and fees, airline, competition between airlines, demand |
| Tips for finding cheap flights | Book in advance, use flight comparison sites, monitor prices, book multi-city itineraries, use frequent flyer programmes |
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What You'll Learn
- London: a cheap entry point to Europe from Australia
- Rome: a budget-friendly destination with good rail links
- Athens: a low-cost option with a long-haul airline connection
- Paris: affordable, with many airline options and good connectivity
- Amsterdam: cheap flights, especially during the off-season months
London: a cheap entry point to Europe from Australia
London is one of the most visited cities in Europe by Australians, and for good reason. As a significant international travel hub, it is a cheap entry point to Europe from Australia. Qantas Airways operates Dreamliner flights from Melbourne and Sydney to London, with seasonal flights from Perth.
When flying to London, the ideal destination airport is London Heathrow (LHR), with London Gatwick (LGW) also an option. London is a great entry point to Europe, as it is well-connected to the continent by air and rail. You can easily travel to Paris, Berlin, Prague, and Athens, and then fly back to Australia from a different city, such as Rome. This can save you money on your flights.
If you are travelling to Europe from Melbourne or Sydney and want to visit multiple cities, Amsterdam is a great base due to its central location. Schiphol Airport (AMS) offers regular flights to other European capitals and has plenty of train connections.
To save even more money on your flights, consider booking separate tickets and building a stopover into your itinerary. This can help you avoid the impact of potential delays and give your body time to adjust to new time zones. Popular stopover destinations include Oman, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Greece.
It is important to keep in mind the potential implications of booking separate tickets, such as needing to collect and re-check luggage and meeting any entry requirements of your destination. Additionally, when using points, finding reward seats for your entire journey may not always be possible, and you may need to book a positioning flight using cash.
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Rome: a budget-friendly destination with good rail links
Rome is one of the cheapest European cities to fly to from Australia. This is because long-haul airport taxes are much lower in Italy than in other European destinations like London. Once you're in Rome, you can easily travel to other Italian cities by train. The Italian railway system has options for all budgets, with three grades of trains and a choice of first class or second class on two of these.
The main railway station in Rome is Termini, which is also the major transport interchange for all kinds of transport in the city. Here, you can find the main bus station for local buses, as well as airport buses and trains. Direct trains run from Rome to nearly all significant Italian cities. The Frecciarossa trains are the fastest option, but fares are normally double that of the express inter-city trains. Inter-City trains are the normal inter-city trains with stops at major towns along the way, and regional or local trains are slower and cheaper. You can book tickets online, but for local services, you can only see fares and order tickets within 7 days of travel. For the best fares, plan your rail travel in advance.
Rome itself is as expensive or as affordable as you want it to be. There are plenty of great historical sights to see for free, like the Trevi Fountain, and the streets are packed with stunning architecture and history. You can also take a walk around the outskirts of the Colosseum for a great view of the amphitheatre and the sunset. There are also plenty of restaurants offering affordable, delicious plates of pasta, as well as street food for even lower prices.
There are also plenty of budget-friendly day trips you can take from Rome by train. Anzio, for example, is a beautiful beach that offers an escape from the heat of the city. Gaeta is another beautiful coastal town, with a well-preserved historical centre, quaint cobblestone streets, charming piazzas, and medieval buildings. Assisi is a little further away, but it's worth the trip for its spectacular sights.
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Athens: a low-cost option with a long-haul airline connection
Athens is a great option for those looking to fly into Europe from Australia on a budget. The Greek capital is one of the cheapest places in Europe to fly into from Australia. This is due in part to its geographical location, but also to the fact that it is served by a long-haul, low-cost airline that operates out of Singapore. Scoot connects various Australian cities via its hub in Singapore to Athens, and other airlines must adjust their pricing to compete.
Athens is a fantastic gateway to Europe, offering rugged landscapes and intriguing ancient architecture. The city itself is over 3,400 years old and is home to the Parthenon, the Temple of the Olympian Zeus, and one of the world's largest and best-equipped planetariums, the Athens Planetarium. The city also boasts crystal-clear waters and pearly white buildings, with sunsets to die for.
Athens International Airport (ATH), also known as Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, is located 35 km east of the city and is the only option for low-cost flights into the area. From there, travellers can easily connect to other European cities. For example, travellers can fly from Athens to Berlin Schonefeld (SXF) with Ryanair or Easyjet, or to Paris Orly (ORY) with Easyjet or transavia.
In addition to Athens, other affordable European cities to fly into from Australia include Rome, Milan, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Budapest, and London. The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Athens are May, June, and October, and from Sydney to Athens, the cheapest months are May, June, and October. During these periods, flights can be up to 25-30% cheaper than standard prices.
When planning a trip to Europe from Australia, it is important to consider the time of year and book in advance. Travelling during the off-season or shoulder season, between September and May, can result in significant savings. Additionally, it is worth checking the fees charged by different airports, as these can vary.
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Paris: affordable, with many airline options and good connectivity
Paris is a great option for travellers flying into Europe from Australia, as it is relatively affordable, has many airline options, and offers good connectivity.
Firstly, Paris is one of the more affordable European cities to fly to from Australia. As a major international hub, Paris has lots of competition between airlines, which helps to keep prices down. In fact, Paris has two airports, Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY), which offer a combined total of 28 operators for flights from Australia as of March 2025. This competition means that you can often find good deals on flights, with return flights sometimes available for under $1500 AUD. For example, the cheapest month to fly to Paris from Australia is October, with flights averaging $928 return, whereas flying in December will cost you an average of $1447.
Secondly, Paris has many airline options for travellers coming from Australia. As well as popular airlines like Qantas Airways, which offers direct flights from Australia to Paris, there are also budget options available. For example, XiamenAir, Vietnam Airlines, and China Southern all offer one-way flights for under $1000.
Finally, Paris has good connectivity, making it a convenient option for travellers. Paris has an excellent rail network, which connects it to other European cities in a fast and affordable way. For example, CDG airport in Paris is a good departure point for those wanting to fly with Qantas, as they offer seasonal services from there.
Therefore, Paris is a great option for travellers from Australia looking for an affordable, well-connected European city with lots of airline options.
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Amsterdam: cheap flights, especially during the off-season months
Amsterdam is a great option for travellers flying from Australia to Europe, especially if you're looking for cheap flights. While the journey from Australia to Europe can be long and expensive, Amsterdam offers affordable flight options, especially during the off-season months.
When planning your trip, it's important to consider the peak and off-travel seasons in Amsterdam. The most popular month to visit is March, with an average flight ticket price of AU$627. However, the cheapest month to fly is May, with an average ticket price of around AU$302. Being flexible with your travel dates and times can also impact the cost of your flight, as prices are generally cheaper during early mornings, late evenings, and weekdays.
There are no direct flights from Australia to Amsterdam, but you can find convenient connections through popular routes such as Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Perth Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, or Melbourne Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The average ticket price to Amsterdam is around AU$749, but you can find flights for as low as AU$606 or even cheaper if you book at least a week in advance.
To find the best deals, consider using flight search engines like KAYAK, which allows you to compare prices from multiple airlines. You can also explore alternative airports, such as nearby cities or airports, as they may offer more budget-friendly options. Additionally, booking separate one-way tickets for your outbound and inbound flights instead of a round-trip ticket can sometimes save you money.
Amsterdam is a great gateway to Europe, offering easy connections to the rest of the continent. With its picturesque canals, world-class museums, and vibrant nightlife, Amsterdam has something for everyone. So, whether you're a culture enthusiast or a partygoer, Amsterdam is an excellent choice for cheap flights from Australia to Europe, especially during the off-season months.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the cheapest cities in Europe to fly into from Australia include Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, Amsterdam, and Madrid.
Yes, here are a few tips:
- Consider flying with low-cost airlines such as Scoot, which operates out of Singapore.
- Book flights in advance and travel during the off-season or shoulder season (between September and May) for lower prices.
- Compare flight prices using websites like Google Flights or Skyscanner.
- London is one of the cheapest places to fly to in Europe from Australia due to the high demand and multiple operators offering flights. However, be mindful of the high departure taxes when flying out of the UK, especially for premium cabin seats.
Athens is a great starting point for a European trip due to its low flight costs and its position as a gateway to other Greek islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, and Istanbul. Rome is also a good option, as it has a great rail network that connects to other Italian cities, and it is one of the cheapest cities to fly to from Australia.
