Traveling around the world on a budget is entirely feasible, thanks to a range of affordable airlines that provide both domestic and international flights. Many budget airlines offer great deals, especially if you’re flexible with your travel dates and destinations. Below are some of the best budget airlines for traveling around the world, known for their affordability, service, and extensive flight networks.
1. AirAsia
- Region: Asia and Oceania
- Why it’s great: AirAsia is one of the most famous budget airlines, operating a vast network across Asia and Oceania. It is renowned for its low fares, excellent service, and frequent sales. AirAsia often offers budget-friendly international routes connecting major cities like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Bali.
- Highlights:
- Extensive coverage across Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Australia.
- Regular sales and promotions with extremely low base fares.
- Ability to book flights as part of an extensive multi-destination route.
2. Ryanair
- Region: Europe
- Why it’s great: Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, offering routes to over 200 destinations across Europe. Known for its low ticket prices, Ryanair is perfect for short-haul flights around Europe. Though there may be additional fees for extras, its base fares are incredibly affordable.
- Highlights:
- Cheap flights between major European cities and smaller regional airports.
- Extensive network, offering both short and medium-haul flights.
- Excellent for those looking to visit multiple European destinations on a budget.
3. EasyJet
- Region: Europe
- Why it’s great: EasyJet is another prominent European low-cost airline, offering a large network of routes across Europe, including key cities like London, Paris, and Berlin. Known for good customer service and frequent sales, EasyJet makes traveling around Europe on a budget convenient.
- Highlights:
- Reliable for European city-hopping.
- Operates from many major airports, including regional hubs.
- Frequent promotions and competitive pricing.
4. Southwest Airlines
- Region: North America
- Why it’s great: Southwest is a popular budget airline in the United States, offering affordable flights across North America. While its network is mostly domestic, Southwest’s low prices and generous baggage policies (free checked luggage) make it a great option for American and Canadian travel.
- Highlights:
- No extra charge for checked baggage (two free bags).
- Extensive network within the United States, with some international routes to the Caribbean and Mexico.
- Frequent sales and flexibility with booking changes.
5. Jetstar Airways
- Region: Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia
- Why it’s great: Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, offers low-cost flights across Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Southeast Asia. With regular promotions, it’s a great option for budget travelers heading to destinations like Sydney, Melbourne, Bali, and Singapore.
- Highlights:
- Affordable routes within Australia and to neighboring regions like Southeast Asia.
- Frequent deals and promotions for both short and long-haul travel.
- A reliable option for reaching Australia and the Pacific Islands.
6. IndiGo
- Region: India and South Asia
- Why it’s great: IndiGo is the largest budget airline in India, with an extensive network that covers not only India but also several other destinations in South Asia, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It offers very competitive prices and a solid reputation for punctuality.
- Highlights:
- Inexpensive domestic flights within India and neighboring countries.
- Regular discounts and an easy-to-navigate booking system.
- A solid option for travel across India’s major cities and beyond.
7. Wizz Air
- Region: Europe and the Middle East
- Why it’s great: Wizz Air is a leading budget carrier in Europe, offering a wide range of routes to Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and parts of the Middle East. Wizz Air is especially known for its affordable prices and the ability to book flights in advance for even lower rates.
- Highlights:
- Great deals for flights between European cities.
- Popular routes between Europe and countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
- A simple booking system with regular promotions and low ticket prices.
8. Scoot
- Region: Asia and Oceania
- Why it’s great: Scoot is a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines and is known for offering affordable long-haul flights from Singapore to destinations across Asia, Australia, and even Europe. Scoot is perfect for those looking to travel between continents on a budget.
- Highlights:
- Affordable international flights between Asia, Australia, and Europe.
- Often offers great deals on long-haul routes, especially from Singapore.
- Competitive pricing on both economy and premium services.
9. Spirit Airlines
- Region: North America, Central America, and the Caribbean
- Why it’s great: Spirit is one of the most affordable budget airlines in the U.S., offering incredibly low base fares. However, it charges for many extras, so it’s important to plan ahead to avoid additional costs. Spirit serves a wide network across the U.S., as well as to Mexico and the Caribbean.
- Highlights:
- Extremely low base fares, especially for domestic travel.
- Routes to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
- Frequent sales and promotions.
10. Norwegian Air Shuttle
- Region: Europe, North America, and Asia
- Why it’s great: Norwegian Air offers low-cost transatlantic flights between Europe and North America, as well as routes to Asia. Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and affordable long-haul options, Norwegian is great for budget travelers crossing oceans.
- Highlights:
- Affordable long-haul flights between Europe and North America.
- Good network to Scandinavian destinations, with seasonal routes to Asia.
- Reliable service with amenities like free Wi-Fi.
11. Vueling Airlines
- Region: Europe and North Africa
- Why it’s great: Vueling Airlines, based in Spain, offers low-cost flights across Europe and to several destinations in North Africa. Its affordable pricing and frequent promotions make it an excellent choice for exploring southern Europe and surrounding regions.
- Highlights:
- Low-cost routes across Europe, especially to Spain and Italy.
- Seasonal routes to North African destinations like Morocco and Tunisia.
- Regularly offers discounted tickets for advanced bookings.
12. Thai AirAsia X
- Region: Asia and Australia
- Why it’s great: Thai AirAsia X, a subsidiary of AirAsia, operates low-cost long-haul flights between Asia and Australia. If you’re traveling between Southeast Asia and Oceania, this airline can offer substantial savings compared to traditional carriers.
- Highlights:
- Affordable long-haul flights between Asia and Australia.
- Good service and comfortable seating for long flights.
- Often offers sales with very low-priced tickets.
13. Allegiant Air
- Region: United States
- Why it’s great: Allegiant Air offers extremely low fares for domestic flights within the United States. While the airline may not offer as many international routes, it connects smaller cities to major tourist destinations, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers within the U.S.
- Highlights:
- Budget-friendly flights to both major and smaller cities in the U.S.
- Great for reaching popular vacation destinations, such as Florida or Las Vegas.
- Frequent sales and promotions.
14. Cebu Pacific
- Region: Philippines and Southeast Asia
- Why it’s great: Cebu Pacific is the largest low-cost airline in the Philippines and provides affordable domestic flights within the country and international routes across Asia. Known for its great deals and sales, Cebu Pacific is an ideal option for exploring Southeast Asia.
- Highlights:
- Low-cost flights within the Philippines and to nearby Southeast Asian countries.
- Regular seat sales that offer very low fares.
- Great for budget travelers exploring Asia and the Pacific.
15. Flybe
- Region: Europe
- Why it’s great: Flybe offers affordable regional flights across Europe, connecting major cities in the UK and mainland Europe. Known for budget pricing and extensive routes, Flybe is ideal for exploring destinations like France, Spain, and the UK.
- Highlights:
- Affordable regional flights, especially in the UK and Europe.
- Offers a mix of short-haul and medium-haul routes.
- Great for travelers looking to fly between smaller airports.