Europe might look small on a map, but flying across it can feel like a nonstop puzzle. Between the shockingly low fares, airports that are nowhere near the cities they serve, and rules that shift from one airline to the next — it’s not exactly a plug-and-play experience for American travelers. But if you know how to navigate it, flying in Europe can be cheap, fast, and surprisingly fun. You just have to know the rhythm.
Why Flying in Europe Feels So Different
The Short-Haul Culture and Budget Carriers
In Europe, flying isn’t just for business travelers or vacationers heading to the beach — it’s an everyday mode of transport. That’s because most flights across the continent last less than three hours, and prices often drop lower than a train ticket. We’re talking $20 from Milan to Prague, $15 from Berlin to Vienna. It sounds unreal, but it’s absolutely normal here.
The main reason is the rise of low-cost carriers — airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Vueling, and Transavia that specialize in cheap, point-to-point flights. They don’t bother with hubs like U.S. airlines do. Instead, they cover hundreds of direct routes, including tiny cities you’ve probably never heard of. Want to fly from Porto to Krakow? There’s probably a $29 ticket with your name on it — as long as you don’t mind flying at 6:10 AM on a Tuesday.
But there’s a catch. These fares are low because they’ve been stripped to the bone. No seat assignments, no free drinks, no checked bags, and sometimes, no guarantee your backpack even fits in the overhead bin. The business model is: sell the cheapest ticket possible, then upsell you on everything else — priority boarding, fast-track security, printing your boarding pass (seriously), and even the right to sit next to your travel companion.
Still, for millions of travelers, the trade-off is worth it. With a little planning, you can fly to another country in the time it takes to drive across Los Angeles.
Booking Flights in Europe: How to Actually Do It Right
If you’re used to punching your dates into Google Flights and grabbing the cheapest fare, you’ll need to adjust your habits a bit when booking in Europe. Yes, flight search engines still work — Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kiwi.com are popular across the continent — but there are a few key differences you should know before you book.
For starters, many budget airlines don’t list all of their fares on every aggregator. Ryanair, for instance, sometimes shows up on Google Flights, sometimes doesn’t. Wizz Air might show only part of its inventory on Skyscanner. And even when fares do appear, the price you see on the aggregator is often lower than the final cost, because it doesn’t always include baggage, payment surcharges, or even booking fees.
That’s why many experienced travelers use the search engine just to compare, then book directly on the airline’s website. You’ll often get better control over add-ons like seats and bags, and it’s easier to manage changes or cancellations later.
Another quirk? One-way tickets in Europe are totally normal — and often just as cheap as round-trips. That’s a game-changer if you’re planning a multi-city trip. You can fly into Rome, explore Italy, then fly out of Amsterdam without paying a penalty. That kind of flexibility is a dream compared to how U.S. airlines structure fares.
But be careful with airport names and codes. Many budget flights don’t land in the main airport — they go to secondary ones that might be miles and miles outside the city.
Airports in Europe Are a Whole Different Game
What “London” or “Paris” Really Means on Your Ticket
Let’s say you book a $29 flight from New York to “Paris.” If you’re flying into Charles de Gaulle, great. But if your ticket says BVA — Paris Beauvais — you’re not really landing in Paris. You’re landing in a field over an hour north, and the only way into the city is a prebooked shuttle bus that takes longer than the flight itself.
Same goes for Frankfurt Hahn (HHN), which isn’t in Frankfurt at all — it’s nearly two hours west. London Stansted (STN) is about as close to central London as Trenton is to Manhattan. It’s fine, as long as you know in advance and plan for the time and transfer cost.
And sometimes the airport name itself doesn’t help. “Milan Bergamo” sounds like it’s near Milan, but it’s a separate city altogether. “Barcelona Reus”? Try 90 minutes away.
Budget carriers love these airports because they’re cheaper to operate from, and cities love them because they bring in tourism. But for you, the traveler, that low fare quickly adds up if you need to shell out €17–€25 for a shuttle or train just to get downtown.
So here’s the move: check the airport code, Google Map the location, and always factor in transfer time and cost before locking in a “great deal.”
Airport Transfers and Real Travel Time
Flying between two European cities might take 90 minutes, but getting from the airport to your hotel can take twice that — especially if you land late, the buses are full, or you didn’t realize your “Rome” flight actually arrives at Ciampino.
In many cities, public transportation is excellent, and there are trains or express buses that make things easy. But in smaller towns or with late arrivals, it’s not always that smooth. You might need to wait for a shuttle, then a tram, and then finally hop in a taxi — and after a long flight, that’s the last thing you want.
This is where car rentals come into play, especially if your flight is just the start of a bigger road trip — which brings us to your next move after touchdown.
Renting a Car Right at the Airport: What You Should Know
When your plane touches down in Europe, the real adventure often begins not in the airport, but on the road. For many travelers — especially those planning to explore the countryside, visit multiple cities, or head to places trains don’t reach — renting a car right at the airport is the most convenient and flexible option.
But here’s the thing: renting a car in Europe isn’t quite the same as grabbing a ride at LAX or JFK. Between the types of companies, the way pick-ups are handled, and the endless variations in rules, there’s a bit of a learning curve. Let’s take a closer look at how it works — and how to avoid the common traps.
Airport Pickups Are Not All the Same
In the U.S., you land, follow the signs for “rental cars,” and walk into a giant center with all the big names in one place. In Europe? It depends. Some airports — like Vienna or Amsterdam — are beautifully organized with car rental desks just outside arrivals. Others are more complicated: sometimes you need to take a shuttle bus to a remote parking lot, or find your way to a tiny office two terminals away.
Even in the same city, experiences vary. At Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), rental desks are spread across multiple terminals, and finding your car might feel like solving a maze — especially if you arrive late at night. In Barcelona, on the other hand, the process is often fast and tourist-friendly: you can pick up your car right outside Terminal 1 or 2, and be on the road in less than 15 minutes if you’ve booked ahead.
That’s the golden rule here: book in advance. Prices are significantly lower, and you’ll have access to a wider range of vehicles. Walk-up prices can be brutal, and availability isn’t guaranteed — especially in high season.
Berlin Brandenburg (BER): Easy Handover With Getmancar
Berlin’s main airport — Brandenburg (BER) — is modern, well-organized, and surprisingly straightforward for car rentals. Major players like Sixt, Hertz, and Europcar all have a presence here, but there’s a new name that’s getting attention among savvy travelers: Getmancar.
Unlike the usual rental companies, Getmancar offers a more flexible model. If you book in advance, you can have the car delivered directly to your terminal — no desk, no paperwork, no queues. The car is parked near the exit from Arrivals, fully fueled and ready to go. If you’ve pre-verified your license and paid online, the entire pickup process can take under five minutes.
It’s especially appealing if you’re planning to leave Berlin right away — say, heading to the Baltic coast, the forests of Brandenburg, or even cross-country toward Bavaria. And yes, Getmancar allows for one-way rentals, so you can pick up in Berlin and return in another city.
Bucharest Otopeni (OTP): Local and Flexible
Romania’s Henri Coandă Airport — also known as Otopeni — is the country’s busiest, and it’s the go-to arrival point for travelers heading to Transylvania, the Carpathians, or the Black Sea coast. Rental car options here are a mix of international chains like Enterprise and Budget, and regional specialists like Autonom, Klass Wagen, and increasingly, Getmancar.
Just like in Berlin, Getmancar allows you to reserve online and receive your car right at the terminal, no matter the time of day. For travelers landing on late flights or arriving with lots of luggage, it’s a relief to skip the rental desk entirely.
One thing to note in Romania: local operators may have stricter insurance terms, especially for drivers under 25 or those without credit cards. Be sure to read the terms carefully — and take photos of the car when you receive it.
Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly: Plan Ahead or Pay More
Paris is beautiful, but its airports are not known for their convenience. At CDG, rental desks are split across terminals, and traffic just outside can be chaotic. If you haven’t booked ahead, you’ll likely find yourself in a long line — and paying more than you expected. At Orly, the experience is slightly better: smaller airport, easier navigation, but fewer vehicles available.
All the usual names are here: Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Budget, and Sixt. Cars are often manual transmission by default, and automatic models tend to cost more. You’ll also want to be cautious with add-ons — insurance upgrades, toll passes, fuel options — because in Paris, they come at a premium.
Driving into the city from either airport can be a headache. Between narrow lanes, unpredictable signage, and heavy congestion, many travelers choose to rent a car only after they’ve explored the city — to use it for trips to Normandy, the Loire Valley, or Provence.
Rome Fiumicino: Gateway to the Countryside
Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is a major hub for both air and car travel. For visitors who plan to explore Tuscany, Umbria, or the Amalfi Coast, it’s the perfect place to pick up a rental.
The airport has a designated rental car center — well-signposted and relatively easy to reach. But again, it pays to reserve in advance. Italy’s peak travel season brings major demand, and last-minute renters are often hit with steep prices or limited vehicle choices.
Italy also has some of the most complex rental conditions: mandatory insurance, high deductibles, and strict rules about who can drive. It’s not uncommon to see a €1,000 deposit placed on your card. Locauto (a local Avis partner) and Maggiore are solid mid-range options, but don’t ignore regional companies — many offer better rates with fewer surprises.
Barcelona El Prat: Fast and Tourist-Friendly
Barcelona’s El Prat Airport (BCN) is one of the best places to rent a car in Spain. With rental desks located in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, you can grab your keys and hit the road quickly — assuming you’ve reserved in advance.
This airport is popular with travelers planning drives along the Costa Brava or through the mountains of Andorra. Many rental companies also allow cross-border travel into France or Portugal, as long as you inform them in advance and pay a small fee.
Spanish roads are generally excellent, but keep an eye on speed limits and toll roads. Some operators, like RecordGo and OK Mobility, offer competitive pricing — but read the fine print, especially around fuel policies and return conditions.
Other Capitals Worth Noting: Vienna, Lisbon, Prague
Not every European capital is massive, but many are perfect jump-off points for road trips right after you land. And when flights between cities are this quick and cheap, it’s easy to add places like Vienna, Lisbon, or Prague to your itinerary — especially if your next destination is better reached by car than train.
- Vienna (VIE) is a favorite among travelers flying in for trips through Austria, Slovakia, or the Czech Republic. The car rental process here is smooth — pickup desks are inside the terminal, and the parking structure is a short walk away. The city itself is compact, so many visitors only pick up their cars after spending a couple of days on foot or using the metro.
- Lisbon (LIS) has one of the most scenic driving regions right at its doorstep — from the cliffs of Cascais to the castles of Sintra and the wild beaches down south. But not every rental company is located inside the terminal. Some require a shuttle to off-site offices, and that can catch tired travelers off guard. If your flight lands late, confirm whether the rental desk is open — some close early.
- Prague (PRG) offers one of the most straightforward car rental setups in Eastern Europe. Most companies operate from an underground parking structure just below the terminal. It’s a great place to start a multi-country road trip across the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia. Some travelers use cheap regional flights to Prague, then rent a car to drive into less accessible parts of the region — and it works brilliantly.
What to Expect Across the Board: Fuel, Insurance, Drop-Off Rules
Here’s where European rentals really differ from what Americans are used to — and why travelers flying between cities should plan ahead if they’re picking up a car at the next airport.
Fuel policies are all over the place. Some companies operate on a “full-to-full” basis — you pick up the car full and return it the same way. Others might charge you for a full tank upfront, then ask you to bring it back empty. The problem? Their fuel prices are usually higher than what you’d pay at the pump.
Insurance is another minefield. In Europe, rental cars already come with basic coverage, but the deductible (or excess) can be sky-high — sometimes over €1,500. You’ll be offered extra coverage at the desk, often at steep prices. Some credit cards cover international rentals, but not all of them apply in countries like Ireland or Italy. Know your card’s policy before you fly.
Returning the car in a different city — or country — is possible, but usually expensive. If you’re planning to fly into Berlin and out of Rome, for example, make sure your rental company allows cross-border travel and one-way drop-off. These extras can cost more than your actual flight.
Is It Worth It for City Trips? Or Only for Road Adventures?
For many travelers, flying is the fastest way to connect major cities — Berlin to Paris, Rome to Barcelona — and public transport works great once you arrive. So do you really need a rental car?
In most cities, probably not. European metros are clean, efficient, and extensive. You can land at CDG and be in central Paris within an hour on the RER train. In Rome, the Leonardo Express runs from Fiumicino straight to Termini station.
But if you’re flying in for a regional getaway — like a wine route in France, a coast-hugging drive in Portugal, or a hiking trip in the Dolomites — a car is gold. The convenience of grabbing one right at the airport makes it easy to start exploring without delays.
In that sense, flights and car rentals don’t compete — they complement each other. You fly to save time and cover distance. You rent to go deeper and explore places that planes and trains can’t reach.
Flying Can Be Fun — If You Know the Game
Europe’s skies are full of options — cheap, frequent, and efficient. But they also come with quirks. You’ll need to decode airport names, read the fine print on baggage, and keep an eye on strike calendars. And once you land, how you continue your journey matters just as much.
Whether it’s grabbing a car from Getmancar at Berlin Brandenburg or hopping a quick flight to Prague and driving to the countryside — the mix of planes and pavement opens up a continent’s worth of experiences. Just take the time to learn the rules, book smart, and let flexibility guide you.
Because in Europe, the adventure doesn’t start when you board — it begins the moment you land.