Which is the cheapest European low-cost airline? Here are the latest figures

Wizz Air Ryanair planes prices low-cost airlines
Both the Hungarian-based Wizz Air and the Irish Ryanair are popular in Hungary. But which low-cost carrier offers better prices? Photo: depositphotos.com

A surprising shakeup has occurred in the European low-cost airline rankings: according to a new German study, Hungary-based Wizz Air has overtaken longtime budget leader Ryanair. The DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt), Germany’s aerospace research center, found that Wizz Air now offers the most affordable fares of any discount airline in Europe for 2025.

Wizz Air tops major budget airlines for lowest prices

The DLR study compared one-way ticket prices without carry-on luggage for 15 low-cost carriers, departing from Germany. While Ryanair led the list in 2024, Wizz Air has now taken the top spot. The average ticket prices break down as follows:

  • Wizz Air: €67 (HUF 26,812)
  • Ryanair: €80 (HUF 32,014)
  • easyJet: €86 (HUF 34,415)
  • Eurowings: €130 (HUF 52,017)

Converted to Hungarian forints, that’s roughly between HUF 27,000 and 52,000 per one-way trip, highlighting Wizz Air’s competitiveness in the European market—particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, where its fares are nearly half those of Eurowings.

Significant price shifts: Wizz Air drops while Ryanair rises

Wizz Air’s rise is not only thanks to its competitors raising prices—it has also slashed its own fares. According to Economx, in 2024, the Hungarian airline charged an average of €94 (around HUF 38,000) for a ticket. By the first quarter of 2025, that number had dropped to €67 (about HUF 27,000).

In contrast, Ryanair led in 2024 with an average ticket price of €66 (approximately HUF 26,500), but that rose to €80 (around HUF 32,000) this year. The €14 increase proved decisive in losing the top spot.

EasyJet maintained a more stable pricing strategy, increasing average fares by only €2. Meanwhile, Eurowings, owned by Lufthansa, saw the largest jump—€20—making it the most expensive airline among those surveyed.

Timing matters for ticket prices

The study also examined booking windows, noting that last-minute fares across all airlines were significantly more expensive, ranging between €119 and €169 (HUF 48,000 to 68,000). However, travelers who booked at least three months in advance could find flights for as low as €44 (around HUF 18,000).

Wizz Air performed well in both categories, offering the lowest average prices not just for early bookings but also for later reservations, outperforming both Ryanair and Eurowings in price.

Hungarian airline triumphs in Europe

The DLR’s findings are a major boost for Wizz Air, which has expanded steadily across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia in recent years. That it managed to reduce prices despite rising fuel costs, taxes, and limited flight availability speaks to the effectiveness and flexibility of its business strategy.

While Ryanair remains a dominant force in the European budget airline market, its price hikes could push cost-conscious travelers toward Wizz Air—especially in countries where the Hungarian airline already has a strong presence.

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