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A European getaway doesn't have to come with sky-high airfare. With many budget and legacy airlines offering expanded transatlantic route schedules, competition on pricing is intense. For frugal travelers, that means both more options for flights — and more opportunities for deals.
According to data provided to NerdWallet by Dollar Flight Club, an airfare deals website, certain routes offer consistently low fares. That makes cities like Madrid, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal some of the most affordable European destinations to fly to from the U.S. in 2026, with Southern European entry points appearing more frequently among the cheapest routes than in years past.
The cheapest average routes between the U.S. and Europe in 2026
Flights under $400 are still appearing from several major U.S. hubs, particularly Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. Dollar Flight Club analyzed flight deals identified between January 1 and March 1, 2026, focusing on round-trip economy fares from the 10 largest U.S. airports.
Here are the lowest fares found, broken out by departure airport:
| U.S. airport | European airport | Average round-trip fare |
|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK). | Dublin (DUB). | $900. |
| Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW). | Dublin (DUB). | $920. |
| Atlanta (ATL). | Lisbon (LIS). | $920. |
| Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW). | Lisbon (LIS). | $940. |
| Chicago (ORD). | Madrid (MAD). | $940. |
| Miami (MIA). | Milan (MXP). | $940. |
| Atlanta (ATL). | Rome (FCO). | $950. |
| Chicago (ORD). | Barcelona (BCN). | $950. |
| New York (JFK). | Paris (CDG). | $950. |
| New York (JFK). | Berlin (BER). | $950. |
| Miami (MIA). | Dublin (DUB). | $950. |
| Orlando (MCO). | London (LGW). | $950. |
| Orlando (MCO). | Lisbon (LIS). | $950. |
| Charlotte (CLT). | Dublin (DUB). | $950. |
Fares will vary depending on your specific airport or travel date. But in general, knowing these routes can be useful in narrowing down where in Europe to go.
How 2026 fares compare to last year
Transatlantic airfare in 2026 is showing mixed signals compared to last year. Because of rising oil prices, fares in general are increasing — and they seem to get higher nearly every day.
But there are also deal to be had. One notable shift is the growing presence of Southern European entry points among the cheapest routes — cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Dublin are appearing more frequently in low-fare deals, reflecting strong airline competition and expanded transatlantic capacity.
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Tricks for traveling cheaply in Europe in 2026
Book at the right time
International flights often have the best prices around 60–90 days out. Avoid peak travel days like Fridays and Sundays, and aim for lower-demand days like Tuesdays or Wednesdays to save.
Be open-minded to long layovers, stopovers and multi-city trips
You don’t necessarily have to spend your European vacation at the city where your transatlantic flight arrives or departs. Those cities might simply be starting and ending points for your trip.
Georgia Fowkes, travel consultant with Altezza Travel and self-described "flight deal hunter" says she once flew from her home in Pittsburgh to São Miguel Island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. A day-long stopover in Boston helped her get there for less money.
“It was a well-planned route with a built-in side trip to Boston,” she says. “I was able to squeeze in a mini-reunion with an old high-school pal… and eat clam chowder.”
She paid $387 for the round-trip flight. Had she not been willing to spend a day in Boston, her flight would have cost nearly $700.
Expand your airport search
Checking nearby departure airports can unlock significantly cheaper fares. For example, flights from Baltimore (BWI) are often cheaper than Washington Dulles (IAD) for travelers in the D.C. area.
Go during shoulder season
Summer is generally a busy time to go to Europe because kids are out of school. Shoulder season, which is the period between the high season and offseason, can offer the best of both worlds, with mild weather and seasonal activities still open.
Consider a late spring or early fall trip to Europe if you're looking for lower prices — and smaller crowds.
Travel by train through Europe
Besides being a bit unconventional with your lodging, transit doesn’t need to be simply traveling by air. Train travel within Europe is more accessible than it is within the U.S. For example, it takes less than two hours to go from Munich to Salzburg, Austria, and you can often find fares for less than $20. You can also ride in sleeper cars, for overnight trips, which could trim your hotel costs.
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