We dream of crystal-clear waters, soaking in the sun and sipping spritz in a piazza in Europe, but turning that dream into a reality does not come cheap. While flights to Europe during peak seasons have dropped, they are not at pre-pandemic levels of affordable quite yet. 

If you’re looking to fly to a European capital city during the summer, then return fares are often more than $2,000. That’s not to say you can’t score yourself a bargain, though. Airlines are often dropping early-bird and flash sales throughout the year. But if you miss out on scoring a steal during the sale period, then Mark Trim, airfare specialist and founder of travel agency Flat Beds, recommends that the earlier you book, the better deal you’ll get. 

“We recommend an 8-11 month booking lead time for the high season to secure the best possible airfare when looking at price, seat selection and stopovers,” says Trim. So if you’re looking to book for June/July, then October/November the year before your intended travel is the key time to book. If you’re looking to book closer to the date, around 6-9 months out, Trim says you’ll need to be flexible to get a good deal, but there are still some around. 

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What Trim doesn’t recommend if booking last minute. “If you’re booking within six months or less, it will almost always result in more expensive airfares or more sacrifices/concessions to get a reasonable airfare,” he says. 

There are also fluctuations in booking habits to watch out for. As European summer temperatures soar above 40 degrees during the hottest months, travellers are looking to travel during May and September, which were traditional shoulder seasons. 

“We have seen a lot of mid-July to late-August European demand pushed back to September, which has flattened the peak season for Europe and eroded the traditional September shoulder season,” Trim says. “If you’re looking at travelling next summer between June-September and want the best value, book now.”

Other top tips Trim has for saving on airfares to Europe include avoiding popular cities like London, Rome and Paris, instead opting for second cities like Milan, Frankfurt and Zurich. He also recommends departing Australia mid-week, preferably Tuesday or Thursday, and returning from Europe Sunday to Wednesday. 

So, if you’re keen to head to Europe for the summer and not break the bank, make sure you book your flights early. 

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