Score Dirt-Cheap Flights to Europe This Summer from NYC - Our Top TipsThis headline captures the key information you requested - providing the cheapest way to get to Europe this summer from New York. It's an independent, fun, and non-commercial title that would fit well on the Mighty Travels blog.
Score Dirt-Cheap Flights to Europe This Summer from NYC - Our Top TipsThis headline captures the key information you requested - providing the cheapest way to get to Europe this summer from New York. It's an independent, fun, and non-commercial title that would fit well on the Mighty Travels blog. - Navigate New York’s Airports for the Best Europe Bound Deals
New York City is served by three major airports, each with their own set of European destinations and flight deals. Knowing which airport to fly out of can make a huge difference in the affordability of your summer trip abroad.
JFK Airport is one of the largest international gateways in the US and offers flights to the widest selection of European cities. Major airlines like Delta, American, and British Airways operate many direct flights to European hubs like London, Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt, and Rome. JFK is also a hub for low-cost carriers like Norwegian Air and WOW Air, providing budget options to cities like Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Reykjavik, Dublin, and Berlin. The sheer volume of flights makes JFK a great place to find competitive pricing, especially on popular routes. Be sure to check both major carrier and budget airline options across a few weeks to find the lowest fares.
Newark Airport is also a major international hub, with direct flights to cities like London, Dublin, Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Frankfurt, Munich, and Reykjavik on United, Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal, and Scandinavian Airlines. As a United hub, Newark offers great connectivity and deals for United’s European partners. Considering United’s Star Alliance partnerships, even flights on Swiss, Austrian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, and Brussels Airlines can be great finds out of Newark. Don’t forget to check budget favorite Norwegian Air too.
LaGuardia Airport has far fewer European flights, but does offer some niche routes that can be excellent deals. Delta operates direct flights to Reykjavik on modern 757 aircraft, often with great sale fares. American flies direct to Dublin, giving you easy Aer Lingus connections throughout Europe. Also watch for seasonal charter flights on carriers like Air Berlin (defunct) and Excel Airways (defunct) to destinations like Germany, Latvia, and Ukraine. While options are limited, the smaller base of flights can unlock some unique bargains.
Score Dirt-Cheap Flights to Europe This Summer from NYC - Our Top TipsThis headline captures the key information you requested - providing the cheapest way to get to Europe this summer from New York. It's an independent, fun, and non-commercial title that would fit well on the Mighty Travels blog. - Savvy Packing Tips to Avoid Extra Fees on Low-Cost Carriers
When flying budget airlines, those tantalizing rock-bottom fares come with a catch - a labyrinth of fees for extras that quickly blow up the initial price. While amenities like seat selection, checked bags, and onboard food/drinks cost extra, savvy packing can help you avoid some of the most common fees. Here are our top tips for packing light and smart when flying low-cost carriers from New York to Europe this summer.
Stick to a carry-on - Checking a bag can add a hefty $50-$70 each way to your ticket cost. Save by packing everything into a carry-on backpack or wheelie bag. Measure your luggage before leaving home to ensure it conforms to the airline's strict sizing limits. Some like Ryanair restrict carry-ons to a tiny 40x20x25cm, so opt for a collapsible daypack that squeezes into their test sizer. Wearing bulky items and using every inch of your bag helps pare down what you pack.
Leave the laptop at home - You want room for souvenirs on the return, so ditch the laptop and heavy electronics. For short trips, a smartphone or tablet should suffice. Some airlines like Norwegian charge for laptops during online check-in, so opt out if possible. If you must bring one, wait until airport check-in to add it to your carry-on to avoid the fee.
Wear layers - Forgo checked bags by wearing bulky sweaters, jackets, and pants onto the plane. You can peel layers as the flight continues, packing them in your carry-on. Voluminous scarves, lightweight down vests, and moisture-wicking fabrics help maximize clothing versatility. Compression packing cubes, sacks, and folders squeeze more into limited space.
Use personal items - Personal items like small handbags, purses, or laptop bags often don't count against carry-on limits. Use them to stash heavy items like books, headphones, chargers, and snacks. Just ensure they fit under the seat in front of you. Some airlines like Ryanair only allow one small personal item up to 25x20x20cm.
Prepay extras online - Add-ons like seat selection and priority boarding are cheaper when prepaid online vs at the airport. Some airlines like WOW charge for large cabin bags during web check-in too. Research airline rules, then pre-book those extras during ticketing for the lowest fees.
Fly nonstop - Those tempting one-stop tickets with a connection in Iceland or Ireland seem like a good deal but carry hidden fees. Nonstop itineraries avoid charges for things like airport transfers, exit and re-entry taxes, and potential missed connection fees that may be imposed if your first flight is delayed.
Score Dirt-Cheap Flights to Europe This Summer from NYC - Our Top TipsThis headline captures the key information you requested - providing the cheapest way to get to Europe this summer from New York. It's an independent, fun, and non-commercial title that would fit well on the Mighty Travels blog. - The Art of Flexible Itineraries – Maximizing Savings with Open Travel Dates
The allure of a cheap flight can cause tunnel vision, locking you into specific dates in the hunt for the lowest fare. Yet flexibility with travel dates can unlock substantial savings you may miss by clinging to rigid dates. The art of flexible booking involves loosening your schedule to expand options. While demanding some strategy, date flexibility maximizes the odds of scoring those jaw-dropping deals to Europe.
Leave booking until the last minute. Sounds counterintuitive, but last-minute deals pop up to fill unsold seats. Airlines would rather discount fares than fly empty aircraft across the Atlantic. Popular routes like New York to London or Paris see frequent last-minute sales. But you’ll need to pack a go-bag you can grab quickly once deals appear. Set fare alerts and check regularly for a week or two before your ideal departure date. Be ready to snatch a bargain and go within a couple days.
Consider open-jaw tickets. Flying into one city and returning from another can cost the same as a roundtrip to a single destination. Explore options that allow you to visit multiple cities without backtracking. For example, book New York to Amsterdam, returning Paris to New York for nearly the same fare as New York roundtrip to Amsterdam. Open-jaws give flexibility to visit more of Europe.
Have backup destinations in mind. Finding crazy low sale fares to alternative cities can provide savings up to hundreds of dollars over your original destination. Follow flight deal sites across Europe, then jump on a bargain fare that fits your schedule. Maybe Oslo or Stockholm pop up cheap when you were considering London. Be prepared to substitute another great European city for your first choice if the discount is big enough.
Avoid school holidays and peak season. July and August see a surge in leisure demand, driving up fares. But traveling Europe in late May, early June or September yields deals on flights, hotels and activities. You’ll also avoid the crush of peak crowds. For families tied to school schedules, watch for holiday weeks like Easter, Christmas/New Year's and February half-term that are easier to schedule.
Consider red-eye flights. Flights departing New York at night arrive in Europe the following morning. Tickets are often discounted since travelers dislike redeyes. But sleeping through the flight and waking up in Europe can be an efficient option. Some airlines like Norwegian have comfortable Dreamliner aircraft with special cabin lighting to aid sleep. Pack eye shades, noise cancelling headphones, and comfy clothing to make red-eyes more bearable.
Score Dirt-Cheap Flights to Europe This Summer from NYC - Our Top TipsThis headline captures the key information you requested - providing the cheapest way to get to Europe this summer from New York. It's an independent, fun, and non-commercial title that would fit well on the Mighty Travels blog. - Scouring the Web – Top Websites and Apps for Bargain Flight Hunters
The internet has revolutionized flight booking, with countless websites and apps competing for your business. With a bit of time and effort, these online tools provide a treasure trove of money-saving opportunities. Using the right sites can help uncover deals and maximize your budget for an affordable summer escape to Europe.
Google Flights should be most travelers' first stop when flight searching. Google's intuitive interface makes it easy to quickly view date grids showing the cheapest days for specific routes. Flexible date and city searching reveals fluctuation in pricing you may miss on airline sites. Google Flights compiles options across airlines, online travel agencies and metasearch sites in one view. The Explore and Tracking tools provide customizable notifications when deals that match your ideal dates and budget appear.
Mighty Travels takes the stress out of finding the lowest fares by sending subscribers curated lists of current flight deals worldwide. The site does the heavy lifting of sifting through confusing matrices of prices across dates and airlines. Emails contain masterfully summarized tables of recommended bargain flights from your home airport to destinations worldwide. The deals often beat what Google Flights can surface. Mighty Travels sets the bar for efficiently distilling cheap flight possibilities in one place.
Airline and online travel agency websites should not be overlooked either. Major carrier sites like Delta, American Airlines and United search across alliance and codeshare partners you won’t necessarily see on metasearch engines. OTAs like Expedia also compile options across airlines while offering additional filters. Signing up for fare alerts on both airline and OTA sites provides update when sales pop up.
Third party metasearch sites like Kayak, Skyscanner and Momondo are worth checking too, since they cast a wide net across airlines and may surface an occasional anomaly Google misses. Their flexible date grids parse pricing by day.
Score Dirt-Cheap Flights to Europe This Summer from NYC - Our Top TipsThis headline captures the key information you requested - providing the cheapest way to get to Europe this summer from New York. It's an independent, fun, and non-commercial title that would fit well on the Mighty Travels blog. - Embrace Layovers – Turning Inconvenience into Opportunity for Adventure
Layovers used to be the bane of travelers’ existence. But with some clever planning, long layovers can become opportunities for memorable detours. Savvy travelers now embrace layovers as a chance to tack an extra destination onto a trip for free or minimal cost. With flights between the U.S. and Europe often routed through Iceland, Ireland, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London or Paris, the prospect of a bonus city visit becomes tempting.
While even a couple hours allows time to step out and sample a new place, layovers of 6 hours or longer open a world of possibilities without impacting the convenience of a direct flight. All it takes is choosing the right connection city, researching transportation options, and having an adventurous spirit!
Veteran travelers know a long Reykjavik layover means unwinding at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa or experiencing Iceland’s otherworldly volcanic landscapes. During a long sitover in Amsterdam, the enterprising traveler can take a canal cruise, tour the Van Gogh Museum, cycle to a windmill, or sample stroopwafels before continuing the journey.
Frankfurt, with its airport rail connections, provides fast access to charming German towns like Heidelberg to pass several hours. In London, the efficient Heathrow Express whisks passengers to Central London for classic sightseeing before catching their next flight. CDG and Orly airports offer quick links to downtown Paris for magical Seine strolls past Notre Dame Cathedral, lunches in lively cafes, and ascents of the Eiffel Tower.
The key is researching transportation from the airport to the city center to determine if a lengthy layover allows sufficient time for a mini-visit. Transit methods like express trains, metro lines, and shuttle buses provide the fastest connections. Budget extra time for immigration, customs and security when switching airports. Have a backup plan like relaxing in an airport lounge if delays jeopardize your layover tour.
While airlines once frowned on layover stopovers, many now embrace them as a customer perk and profit generator. Carriers like Icelandair, Condor, and TAP Air Portugal specifically promote free or low-cost stopovers of up to a week in their hub cities. Taking advantage softens the hassle of a layover, transforms it into a value-add, and gives you an extra destination for minimal expense. Capitalizing on the opportunity for adventure makes a brief layover city stay rewarding.
Score Dirt-Cheap Flights to Europe This Summer from NYC - Our Top TipsThis headline captures the key information you requested - providing the cheapest way to get to Europe this summer from New York. It's an independent, fun, and non-commercial title that would fit well on the Mighty Travels blog. - Rewards Programs and Points Hacks for Frequent Flyers to Europe
For road warriors jetting across the pond multiple times per year, airline frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs unlock the possibility of earning free flights and rooms through points and status perks. Becoming a master hacker of these programs enables frequent travelers to maximize every dollar spent into tangible rewards. Here’s how to work loyalty programs and points strategies to keep European travels reasonably priced.
Joining an airline alliance like Star Alliance (United, Lufthansa), SkyTeam (Delta, Air France) or Oneworld (American, British Airways) opens access to benefits across all member carriers. Crediting flights on any alliance airline earns miles towards free reward travel on any partner. For frequent Europe trips, choose a primary airline within your preferred alliance and stick to it and partners to concentrate miles.
signing up for all three major credit card point programs - Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points. Rack up sign-up bonuses then keep spending on the card to accumulate points for redeeming award flights. Transfer points between partner airlines to top up accounts as needed to book reward seats, especially premium cabins costing more miles.
Masters also leverage airline shopping portals and dining programs that convert purchases into additional miles. Little extras add up over time. Travel hacking is like a giant puzzle. The more pieces you work simultaneously - flights, credit card points, transfers, bonuses, portal shopping - the faster the miles accumulate.
Elite status in programs like United MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles and American AAdvantage unlocks perks like upgrades, lounge access, and mileage bonuses. Reach thresholds by consolidating flights on a primary airline. Score extras like bonus points by using the cobranded credit card. Elite tiers grease the wheels for free flights and frills.
Frequent guests at chains like Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt benefit from points earned per stay and through affiliated credit cards. Set up accounts to earn at all brands since you never know where a good rate deal may pop up. Points transfer between brands and convert to airline miles opening redemption flexibility. Remember elite benefits like late checkout and upgrades when choosing where to stay, especially on longer trips.
Independent hotels have loyalty programs too. They often provide outsized value, like free nights, food and beverage credits and early check-in/late checkout. Never assume only big chains play the points game.