Why are summer flights to Europe so expensive?

The US has far fewer airlines than Europe. Less competition = higher fares. On routes where there is more competition (such as between Chicago and New York) flights tend to be cheaper, while on routes to smaller airports, especially those served by a single airline, airfares can be much higher.



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It mostly comes down to supply and demand. Demand is contributing to higher prices as travel continues to surge post-pandemic, Berg said. Sustained strong demand in 2023 continues to put additional pressure on prices, especially to and within regions where travel has only recently reopened like parts of Asia.

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Jul 1 July is the most expensive month to travel to Europe for Americans. If you have your heart set on a European vacation in July, do yourself a favor and fly mid-week.

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Flight tickets though are expensive. Reason is high airport taxes, and the fact that Athens only has one airport. Ferry costs to any island are quite high.

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After soaring in 2022, prices for domestic airline tickets are on the descent. In June 2023, airfares had dropped by 8.1% from May and by 18.9% over the previous 12 months, according to the June Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Domestic airline prices are on the decline in 2023, finally retreating after spiking just a year ago. International fares are still high. After soaring in 2022, prices for domestic airline tickets are on the descent.

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Flights are generally the most inexpensive between four months and three weeks before your departure date. Seasonal changes and holidays can create price fluctuations in ticket prices. The day of the week that you book a flight does not affect the price.

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Factors such as fuel costs, staffing shortages, aging IT infrastructure and hidden fees all contribute to expensive flights in 2023.

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For domestic flights in March and April, Google said, prices are typically lowest 23 to 59 days before departure, hitting their lowest price 38 days out. Summer vacation. For domestic flights in July or August, prices are typically lower 14 to 44 days out, hitting rock bottom 21 days before takeoff.

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  1. Flexibility is your friend. ...
  2. Fly into a major hub. ...
  3. Avoid Weekend flights. ...
  4. Make “mix it up” your mantra. ...
  5. Late summer saves money in Europe. ...
  6. Take a break from the big cities for a cheap Europe vacation. ...
  7. Go Deeper in one country rather than shallow across many. ...
  8. Be thoughtful about dining options.


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Demand is higher than it has been since the pandemic began. Even as airline capacity broadly remains slightly below 2019 levels, a supply-and-demand mismatch is driving prices sky-high. In fact, the U.S. Travel Association, an industry trade group, says domestic leisure demand has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

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Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

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The cheapest months to travel are:
  • November – early December.
  • Late January – March.


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Spring break. For domestic flights in March and April, Google said, prices are typically lowest 23 to 59 days before departure, hitting their lowest price 38 days out. Summer vacation. For domestic flights in July or August, prices are typically lower 14 to 44 days out, hitting rock bottom 21 days before takeoff.

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Both Expedia and Hopper predict airfare to peak in price during the season. In an ideal scenario, you're going to want to book flights for summer travel as soon as possible, ideally at least six months in advance.

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Greece is actually pretty cheap. Greek food, glasses of wine, hostel dorms, and public buses aren't super expensive and you can find some really nice accommodation for between 30-50 EUR a night. There are a lot of ways to save money in Greece without sacrificing comfort.

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What's the cheapest city to fly into in Greece? The cheapest city to fly into is Athens; and the cheapest airport serving this city at the moment is Athens International.

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The summer season, which runs from late May or early June through the end of August, is when many families are available to travel. As a result, it's the most expensive time to visit Europe. The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid/late March—are often the cheapest time to fly.

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The cheapest ticket to Europe found for each month in 2023 based on historical flight searches by Cheapflights users. January is currently the cheapest month to fly to Europe. At this moment in time June is the most expensive month.

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Cheapest Places to Fly to in Europe in 2023: European Cities with Cheap Flight Deals
  • Reykjavik, Iceland. For most people in the US, this is the cheapest European city to fly to. ...
  • Ponta Delgada, Portugal. ...
  • Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ...
  • London, UK. ...
  • Dublin, Ireland. ...
  • Barcelona, Spain. ...
  • Stockholm, Sweden. ...
  • Munich, Germany.


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