Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EUROPEAN BUDGET AIRLINES
At the time of writing there were 44 budget airlines serving countries in or near Europe.
We've listed the more established operators here, but for full details of routes visit
flycheapo.com
,
while
skyscanner.net
is an invaluable price comparison resource.
Air Berlin
airberlin.com
Blue Air
www.blueair-web.com
Darwin
darwinairline.com
easyJet
easyjet.com
Flybe
flybe.com
Fly Niki
flyniki.com
Germanwings
germanwings.com
Jet2
jet2.com
Norwegian Air Shuttle
norwegian.no
Ryanair
ryanair.com
Smart Wings
smartwings.com
Transavia
transavia.com
TUIfly
tuifly.com
Vueling
vueling.com
Wizz Air
wizzair.com
By train
Direct trains through the
Channel Tunnel
from London to Paris (17 daily, 2hr 30min) and
Brussels (10 daily, 2hr 05min) are operated by Eurostar. Tickets for under-26s start at £38
one-way, £66 return. For over-26s, the cheapest and least flexible tickets cost £39 one-way
or £69 return. Through-ticket combinations with onward connections from Lille, Brussels
and Paris can be booked through International Rail and Rail Europe (see
InterRail
).
Other rail journeys from Britain involve a sea crossing by ferry or, sometimes, catamaran.
Tickets can be bought from International Rail, and from most major rail stations or from
Dutchflyer (
stenaline.co.uk/ferry/rail-and-sail/holland/
) if routed via the Hook of Holland.
For some destinations, there are cheaper SuperApex fares requiring advance booking and
subject to greater restrictions. Otherwise, international tickets are valid for two months and
allow for stopovers on the way, providing you stick to the prescribed route (there may be a
choice, with different fares applicable). One-way fares are generally around two-thirds the
price of a return fare. If you're under 26 you're entitled to all sorts of special deals, not least
cut-price youth fares.
