Best Budget Airlines in Europe for Short-Haul Travel

Planning your next trip in European cities or countries, but your budget is tight, the best options for you to travel are the budget airlines or low-cost carriers. Over 35 low-cost carriers are operating in European regions, offering convenient travel. If you are planning a short-haul trip and wondering which are the best airlines for short-haul trips, then this guide will help you find out. 

Top Low-Cost Airlines in Europe for Short-Haul Travel

1. Eurowings

Eurowings is one of the best German low-cost carriers offering flight services to more than 150 destinations and operating from 8 bases. Eurowings also gets recognition for being the best budget airline in Europe for 2025 from Skytrax. Lufthansa Group owns this airline. It is also a Star Alliance member.

2. Vueling Airlines

Vueling Airlines comes in second place in the Best Budget Airlines in Europe 2025 rankings by Skytrax, and you can choose it for your short-haul trip. Vueling offers services to nearly 100 destinations and operates as the largest Spanish low-cost carrier. 

3. Volotea

Volotea is a Barcelona-based Spanish low-cost carrier and comes in third place when it comes to traveling around European cities in 2025. Volotea operates in over 70 cities and is popular for offering travel services to smaller and regional European airports, as well as providing point-to-point services to its destinations.

4. Transavia France

Transavia France is a part of the Air France KLM group and a Dutch low-cost carrier based in Amsterdam with connectivity to over 90 cities, most of which are in Europe. When it comes to traveling with Transavia France, you may like its leisure services at a low cost. With Transavia France, you can find one of the most convenient travel experiences like a mainline airline on some of its extensive flight routes. 

5. Iberia Express

Iberia Express is wholly owned by Iberia, which is also a Spain-based low-cost airline operating mostly short and medium-haul flight trips. For budget travel, one of the key things is high performance at low cost, and Iberia Express lies in that. Here, Iberia Express is one of the leading European airlines that has been recognised for its punctuality and operational efficiency.

Benefits of traveling with budget airlines in Europe

Traveling with these budget airlines for your trip in Europe comes with several advantages, and these are:-

• Cost savings: Booking with a low-cost carrier can help you save on your cost since they offer the lowest fare on a particular flight route by cutting down on most of the services, such as checked luggage, meals, and other services that are generally offered as complimentary on mainline airlines.
• Access to smaller cities: On one hand, full-service airlines offer mainly long-haul trips to major metro cities, while low-cost carriers operate on short-haul trips and offer routes to smaller or regional airport destinations. They are more efficient and take less time to arrive at any destination compared to other regional modes of transportation, such as trains. 
• Flexibility: Low-cost carriers have frequent departures, so you get more flight options for a particular route and can plan your short-haul trip on weekends or public holidays. You will find flexibility in making reservations and managing travel anytime. 
• Ideal for light travel: Traveling on a budget airline also has benefits. If you are on a trip carrying little luggage, such as a small backpack, then low-cost carriers are ideal for you. Remember that most of the LCCs do not offer checked baggage for free, so you'll be saving on that as well. 
• Attractive deals: Low-cost carriers offer the lowest fare prices, but during festive seasons or off-peak times, the fares drop further, allowing you to grab some unbelievable flight deals.