When travelling around the world the two biggest costs typically tend to be transportation and accommodation. On the transportation side of things, flying internationally can at times cost more than an entire month of budget backpacking in regions such as SE Asia. Thus, when considering flying overseas it’s important to compare fares, use coupons and select airlines that are known for being budget friendly. The following two airlines are known for being great selections for those on a budget. For those looking to step things up a notch airline companies such as Virgin Atlantic are worth considering. When booking don’t pay full price at Virgin Atlantic this year by using voucher codes as an option to get further discounts.
Easy Jet for travel in Europe
Considered to be an elite budget airline option for those flying in Europe, Easy Jet is the largest airline of the United Kingdom in terms of number of passengers and international departures. Just as recently as 2011, 55 million passengers flew with Easy Jet. In order to keep costs down complimentary snacks are not provided on board and connecting flights are more or less non-existent. One of the best features of Easy Jet is that it typically flies to primary airports as opposed to secondary. In other words, by choosing Easy Jet you’re typically landing in the most convenient locations which are closer to the city centre.
Air Asia for all places in Asia
For those flying in Asia look no further than to Air Asia for your best bet for budget flights within the region. As the premier airline in the region for low fare, no frills flights routes have dramatically been expanded in recent years. The Airline typically offers special promotions months in advance for those with advance knowledge of where they want to go. Based and originating from Malaysia, Air Asia has now expanded significantly and includes branches such as Thai AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia, AirAsia Philippines, AirAsia Japan and Air Asia X.
Jade loves to blog about budget airline options for backpacking adventurers.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
AirAsia has to be one of the best budget airlines in the world. Although it’s a budget airline, their service is quite good and seats have enough leg room. RyanAir is also a good budget airline for traveling in Europe.
Salika Jay recently posted..Best International Airlines To Fly
A nice list! I have not used any of these but hope to use them
Arti recently posted..Tea Ceremony at the Jiko-in Zen Temple in Nara, Japan
Budget carriers are great if you’re backpacking, since the fares are sometimes so low, they work out cheaper than the alternative (e.g. train). And of course flying saves so much time. I think a lot of backpackers write off internal flights, but as more and more budget airlines pop up, it’s definitely worth setting up alerts and comparing all the options.
Reena @ Wanderplex recently posted..Why I think airline fees are good
Will have to see if they allow small dogs as carry on liek the larger airlines do. Thaks for the tips!
Air Asia are fantastic! Better than some national carriers I’ve flown with (looking at you, Alitalia). Although for Europe, you can’t miss out the likes of Ryanair (not as bad as people say – read the terms and conditions, you’ll have no problems), Wizzair, Jet2, Carpatair, Pegasus and German Wings.
Tom @ Waegook Tom recently posted..Sweet, Sour, Sexy: Tangsuyuk
I’ve flown a bunch of these and had great experiences with them. Air Asia strikes me as the best of the group (at least from the few flights I’ve taken with them). Ryanair gets a lot of bad press but I’ve had generally good experiences with them other than some minor departure delays. I’m sure without airlines like this some travellers would never get to see half the places they have!
Ryan @Treksplorer recently posted..Drink Champagne in an Onsen Whilst Skiing in Japan
Air Asia! Haven’t tried them yet but definately will ! Great tip!
I’ve flown both Ryan Air & Easy Jet and to me there are the only two differences you pointed out. Easy Jet is a little more expensive but you go to the central/major airport. Ryan air is cheaper but you’ll end up on the outskirts of a city.
Although it gets a massively bad wrap, Ryanair is great to selected destinations! So cheap! In Australia Tiger Airways is a cheap alternative of an airline as well!
Budget airlines are great!
Air Asia is excellent. It is one of my favorite carriers. Of course the main reason would be its budgeted rate and also the condition of the air plane itself. Air Asia will make promotion seasonly and it is necessary to sign up for its newsletter. In this case, you will always manage to get the ticket at lowest rate. I managed to buy a ticket at zero fare, in which i paid only the taxes and airport charges.
i haven’t tried airasia…. hmmm maybe for my out-of-the-country trip for this year i will
ian recently posted..The Surprise That Never Was: My Dad’s First Out Of Town Trip
Agreed! We fly with AirAsia quite frequently and have flown with EasyJet a couple of times, both are no-frills airlines, but with prices so low, who cares about getting a snack onboard?!
For travel to/from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan or Thailand we recommend Spring Airlines. http://www.china-sss.com/en
For travel from/to India, Singapore or Thailand, another budget option is Indigo Airlines. http://book.goindigo.in/skylights/cgi-bin/skylights.cgi
Cheers!
Dariece – Goats On The Road recently posted..Stats From Our 3 Years Of Backpacking Around The World
Thanks for those two suggestions!
I’ve yet to use either of them.
Great list Samuel, I’ve always had good experiences on Easyjet.
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