Travelling from Hungary? Good news: Flights are now cheaper than last year across Europe!
In a surprising shift from previous years, airfare prices across Europe have decreased rather than increased in 2025—despite high passenger demand and nearly full flights. According to data from Repjegy.hu, the average load factor on European routes remains between 90–95%, yet prices are often lower than in 2024, even outperforming train travel in terms of cost and time.
According to Világgazdaság, one key factor behind the lower fares is the removal of Hungary’s excess profit tax (departure tax) on airlines, which had previously inflated ticket prices. While budget airlines continue to offer the most affordable options, even full-service carriers are seeing price reductions on certain routes—especially outside peak travel periods.
Top destinations cheaper than in 2024
Rome and London remain the top destinations, but cities like Malta, Bari, Naples, Stuttgart, Copenhagen, and Alicante have made significant gains in popularity this year. Notably, Malta, Bari, and Athens have entered the top 10 most booked destinations. Istanbul, a consistent favourite, has climbed to third place, overtaking Paris and Amsterdam.
Among the most surprising price drops, flights to Naples are now 15% cheaper than last year, while Athens and Malta saw decreases of 11.3% and 12.6%, respectively. Even with increased popularity, Milan, Catania, and these southern European destinations remain more than 10% cheaper compared to 2024.
However, not all prices are falling. Alicante, which has surged in popularity, experienced an 18.7% fare increase—the largest among the top destinations—followed by Frankfurt, with an 8.9% rise.
Fare hikes should still be expected: tips to save
Experts warn that holiday periods still bring significant flight price hikes across all airlines. To score the best deals, travellers are advised to plan flexibly and book months in advance. Using fare alerts, choosing less popular travel days, avoiding extra luggage, skipping seat reservations, or flying with different airlines for departure and return can also help save on costs.
Although environmental regulations have not yet significantly impacted travel expenses, voluntary sustainability options—such as using SAF fuel or choosing eco-certified accommodations—are becoming more popular.
While the long-term impact of global economic shifts and trade tariffs on travel prices remains uncertain, the current trends suggest that air travel within Europe remains an affordable and convenient option—at least for now.
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