10 Cheapest European Cities to Fly Into from Australia (2024)

Europe remains one of the top destinations for travelers worldwide, thanks to its rich history, diverse cultures, and seamless travel experiences afforded by the Schengen Area's borderless policy and well-connected transportation networks. With numerous airlines linking Europe to all major continents through thousands of daily flights, exploring this continent has never been easier.

However, for Australian travelers, Europe might seem less accessible than other regions, primarily due to the significant distance between Australia and Europe. As a result, airfare costs are significantly higher, making trips to Europe expensive. Nevertheless, there is an opportunity to save a notable amount of money on flights to Europe if you are flexible with your choice of destination city and travel dates.

In this article, we've compiled a list of the 10 cheapest European cities to fly to from Australia. In preparing this guide, we used the most up-to-date flight prices and took into account the availability of convenient flights with the shortest duration and fewest layovers. Moreover, for each destination, we've identified the cheapest months for travel, during which flight prices can be up to 50% lower than usual.

#1. Istanbul, Turkey

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Turkey is considered the cheapest European country to fly to from Australia. Istanbul's iGA Airport is a pivotal international hub due to its strategic location. This modern airport is engineered to serve an estimated 90 million passengers annually, making it an essential point for travelers seeking economical routes from Australia to Europe.

Among the airlines operating flights from Istanbul to Australia are well-known names such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Additionally, Air China and BatikAir known as the cheapest airlines from Australia to Europe, regularly operate flights between Australia and Istanbul, enhancing the affordability of travel to Turkey.

📅 Best dates to fly: The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Istanbul are July, August, and September. For Sydney to Istanbul, the cheapest months are May, June, and November. During these periods, flights can be up to 30% lower compared to standard prices.

Roundtrip flights:

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#2. Barcelona, Spain

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Barcelona stands out as one of the cheapest European cities to fly into from Australia. The city's primary airport, Barcelona-El Prat Airport, is a major international gateway, efficiently connecting passengers from Sydney, Melbourne, and other Australian cities to Spain.

Popular airlines facilitating this route include Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Vueling Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Etihad Airways. These carriers ensure that travelers have a variety of options when searching for the cheapest European city to fly into from Sydney, Melbourne, and other cities making Barcelona a top pick for both convenience and affordability.

📅 Best dates to fly: The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Barcelona are May and June. For Sydney to Barcelona, the cheapest months are June, August, and January. During these periods, flights can be up to 30-50% lower compared to standard prices.

Roundtrip flights:

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#3. Madrid, Spain

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Madrid emerges as another top choice for Australians seeking cost-effective travel options to Europe. The city's principal airport, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, is renowned as a significant international hub that bridges Sydney and other Australian locations with Spain. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas stands out for its capacity to facilitate a seamless connection for passengers traveling from down under, thanks to its comprehensive services and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Airlines such as Emirates, Iberia Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air Asia, Qatar Airways, and Air China operate frequent flights between Madrid and Australia, providing travelers with multiple options to find affordable fares. This extensive network of flights underscores Madrid's status as one of the cheapest European cities to fly into from Australia, appealing to budget-conscious travelers without compromising on the quality of their journey.

📅 Best dates to fly: The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Madrid are May, June, October, and November. For Sydney to Madrid, the cheapest months are May, June, and November. During these periods, flights can be up to 30% cheaper compared to standard prices.

Roundtrip flights:

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#4. Milan, Italy

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Milan is celebrated for being at the forefront of Italy’s fashion and business scenes, and it’s also a gateway for adventures into the Alps, making it one of the most popular destinations worldwide. Malpensa Airport, Italy's second busiest and among the top 20 in Europe, serves as a vital link for travelers, including those coming from Australia.

Milan is one of the cheapest European cities to fly into from Australia, with major airlines like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines offering competitive fares.

📅 Best dates to fly: The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Milan are May, June, and October. For Sydney to Milan, the cheapest months are June, July, and November. During these periods, flights can be up to 20-30% cheaper compared to standard prices.

Roundtrip flights:

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#5. Copenhagen, Denmark

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Copenhagen's airport holds the distinction of being the second-largest airport in the Nordic countries. It's renowned for offering some of the cheapest airfares from Australia to Europe, thanks to the competitive routes provided by airlines like Scandinavian Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, and Air China.

The airport's efficiency and the competitive pricing by these carriers make Copenhagen one of the cheapest European countries to fly to from Australia.

📅 Best dates to fly: The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Copenhagen are May and June. For Sydney to Copenhagen, the cheapest months are June and July. During these periods, flights can be up to 30-40% cheaper compared to standard prices.

Roundtrip flights:

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#6. Athens, Greece

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Athens, the cradle of civilization, is not only the heart of ancient history and mythology but also a modern city that serves as a gateway to exploring the beauty of Greece and its islands. Its airport, Athens International Airport, is a major hub in the Southeastern Europe region, efficiently connecting travelers to various destinations across the globe.

For Australians looking to explore Europe on a budget, Athens presents an attractive option, with airlines like Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Air Canada, Scoot, and Air France offering competitively priced flights from Sydney to Athens and Melbourne to Athens in 2024. These affordable airfare options make Athens an accessible starting point for a European adventure, ensuring that travelers can experience the rich history and dynamic culture of this ancient city without breaking the bank.

📅 Best dates to fly: The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Athens are May, June, and October. For Sydney to Athens, the cheapest months are May, June and October. During these periods, flights can be up to 25-30% cheaper compared to standard prices.

Roundtrip flights:

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#7. Stockholm, Sweden

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Stockholm, with its harmonious blend of historical elegance and modern flair, is Sweden's cultural and economic center. The city's main airport, Stockholm Arlanda Airport, is a crucial hub for international travel, offering cost-effective connections for travelers looking to explore Europe or venture to distant destinations.

Whether you're embarking from Sydney or Melbourne, airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, SWISS, and Air China offer affordable choices to explore the majestic landscapes of Sweden and beyond.

📅 Best dates to fly: The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Stockholm are May and June. For Sydney to Stockholm, the cheapest months are July and October. During these periods, flights can be up to 20-25% cheaper compared to standard prices.

Roundtrip flights:

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#8. Paris, France

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Paris, with its iconic landmarks and rich cultural tapestry, remains a perennial favorite among travelers. Serving this metropolis, Charles de Gaulle Airport is the biggest hub in Europe — both in size and in the volume of passengers it accommodates annually.

As the primary airport for France, it hosts a wide array of airlines, including cost-effective carriers like Air France, KLM, Emirates, Pegasus Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Air India. These airlines are at the forefront of offering affordable travel options for flights from Australia to France, including major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

📅 Best dates to fly: The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Paris are May, June, October, and November. For Sydney to Paris, the cheapest months are May, June, October, and November. During these periods, flights can be up to 30-40% cheaper compared to standard prices.

Roundtrip flights:

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#9. Budapest, Hungary

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Budapest's main airport serves as a cost-effective launching pad for travelers from Australia looking for affordable access to Europe. With airlines such as China Eastern and Wizz Air + Air China operating routes between Budapest and Australia, passengers are presented with a variety of budget-friendly flight options. This makes the Hungarian capital an attractive point for those seeking to explore Europe.

Additionally, the presence of low-cost carriers at Budapest airport facilitates onward travel to numerous European destinations, ensuring that visitors can maximize their travel budget.

📅 Best dates to fly: The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Budapest are May and June. For Sydney to Budapest, the cheapest months are May, June, and October. During these periods, flights can be up to 25-40% cheaper compared to standard prices.

Roundtrip flights:

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#10. Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Amsterdam Schiphol Airport ranks as the world's third busiest by international passenger traffic and the busiest in Europe by aircraft movements. With numerous airlines operating flights to Amsterdam, travelers frequently choose this city as their gateway to Europe. The excellent transport links from the Netherlands provide straightforward access to Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and France, positioning it as a strategic starting point for European travel.

Airlines such as KLM, Air France, and China Southern offer flights from Australia to Amsterdam, enhancing the city's appeal as a cost-effective entry point to Europe for Australian tourists.

📅 Best dates to fly: The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Amsterdam are May, June, October, and November. For Sydney to Amsterdam, the cheapest months are May, June, September, and November. During these periods, flights can be up to 25-30% cheaper compared to standard prices.

Roundtrip flights:

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When will flights to Europe get cheaper? Set up price alerts

Although airfare prices from Australia to European countries can be high, you can still save significantly by following simple rules when searching for flights. Since flight prices constantly change, it's important to find the optimal time to book a ticket. To track flight prices, you can use the AirTrack Telegram bot, which will not only find cheap flights for you but will also send you alerts directly in the chat on Telegram messenger as soon as the price for your flight drops. This feature has helped save on airfare for more than 1.8 million of our users. It's a proven way to cut down costs and make your travel budget go further.

>> See cheap flights from Australia to Europe

FAQ

What are the cheapest European cities to fly into from Australia?

The cheapest European cities to fly to from Australia are Istanbul, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, and Copenhagen. Flights to these cities regularly come in under AUD 1000.

Where in Europe flies direct to Australia?

Given Australia's distance from Europe, there are not many direct flights between these continents. However, there are a few European cities you can fly to directly. For example, British Airways operates direct flights to London from Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Similarly, Qantas offers direct flights to Paris and Rome from the Australian city of Perth.

What are the cheapest months to fly from Australia to Europe?

The cheapest months for travel from Australia to Europe are May, and June, as well as October and November. However, the periods of lowest prices can vary depending on the destination.

What is the cheapest airline from Australia to Europe?

The cheapest airlines operating flights from Australia to Europe are Air China and BatikAir. These airlines offer flights to numerous major European cities, including Istanbul, Barcelona, Madrid, and Milan, among others. With competitive pricing, Air China and BatikAir represent excellent choices for travelers aiming to explore Europe without breaking the bank.

What European countries are closest to Australia?

The closest European countries to Australia are in the south and east of Europe. They are Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Turkey is the nearest to Australia.

Useful Links:

Flights: Skyscanner, AirTrackBot
Hotels: Booking.com, Skyscanner
Rental Cars: Skyscanner, Kayak

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