Travel to Europe

How to travel to Europe

The usual way to get to Europe is by plane, but if you have the time and money, you can try sailing, either by cruise ship or the more adventurous freighter. If you’re coming from the east, trains are also a possibility. Be sure to check out all possible options and don’t be afraid to look into alternate destinations.

Europe by plane

The easiest and most inexpensive way of traveling to Europe is by plane. If coming from the US, you’re probably thinking of flying either to London, Paris or Frankfurt, home to Europe’s three biggest airports. However, low-cost airlines, which fly to smaller airports a bit further from these cities, can be a budget alternative to big and often expensive airlines. Low cost airlines are blooming in Europe and some of them also fly to US. Flying with them may be significantly cheaper with little or no loss of comfort. Also check out other destinations than the obvious London or Paris. The Aer Lingus route New York - Dublin is a prime example.

Beware that US-based flight search engines generally provide less-usable results when it comes to searching for European flights. The following sites have very good coverage of European low cost airlines: WhichAirline.com, SkyScanner.com or Momondo.com.

Europe by sea

While traveling by ship from the US might be classic, it is also very expensive, with tickets starting at $2,000 with Cunard Line.
If you are on a budget and seek adventure, consider crossing the ocean on a freighter. Check out Freighter Cruises for an overview of the ships you can take and other useful information.

Europe by train

If travelling from Asia, the train is also an option. The Trans-Siberian railway (from either Beijing or Vladivostok) is an experience on its own and a must for all train-lovers.