Flight Prices in Europe for August

Mervyn Skidmore

Hi all, I'm looking for flights to places like Spain, Portugal, and Croatia for the first weeks of August. I appreciate that it's high season but all the flights I see seem to be in the region of €250 return. Is this normal for this time? Should I book straight away as prices will likely rise higher?

munchkin_utd

yep, congratulations, you have discovered the secret as to how Ryanair makes their profits which many perversely think comes from them running planes to England for a tenner each way.

No, their profits come in the summer when the schools are off and north europeans want (almost) guaranteed sun and seemingly are prepared to pay a premium to get it.

mahamageehad

Skyscanner is giving me return flights in August from Dublin to Spain from €96 (Madrid from €96, Barcelona €130, Vigo €130, Ibiza €133), Dublin to Portugal from €141 (Lisbon from €141, Faro €155, Port €168) and Dublin to Croatia from €195 (Pula €195, Dubrovnik €227, Zadar €243)

Obviously the more flexible you are, the cheaper the flights will be. (Same if you can fly from other airports that aren't Dublin). If you can only fly on Monday 7th and return on Sunday 12th for example, you'll be paying a premium.

Locker10a

Sorry to say but cheap flights only really exist off peak, and June-September anything going to the sun will be pricy

mahamageehad

Locker10a wrote: »

Sorry to say but cheap flights only really exist off peak, and June-September anything going to the sun will be pricy

I would disagree, on peak tends to be more expensive, especially to sun locations but there are still cheap flights to be found if you're flexible. The problem is most people aren't. I would consider return flights to Spain for under 100 cheap. It usually costs me 200 return to get from Frankfurt to Dublin return, but I always get stuck with dear flights because I'm not flexible at those times. People coming to visit me are way more flexible and have gotten great deals on flights all year round!

jamesthepeach

I used to always go on holidays in July or august.
Then one year we decided to go in may. I was shocked. Flights and accommodation were about a third of the July and august prices.

Now we go in may, June or September and get three holidays for what we used to pay for one.

An epiphany I tell ya.

Locker10a

mahamageehad wrote: »

Locker10a wrote: »

Sorry to say but cheap flights only really exist off peak, and June-September anything going to the sun will be pricy

I would disagree, on peak tends to be more expensive, especially to sun locations but there are still cheap flights to be found if you're flexible. The problem is most people aren't. I would consider return flights to Spain for under 100 cheap. It usually costs me 200 return to get from Frankfurt to Dublin return, but I always get stuck with dear flights because I'm not flexible at those times. People coming to visit me are way more flexible and have gotten great deals on flights all year round!

But thats my point, peak times are expensive as they are the popular times/days. Off peak is off peak because of its low popularity. My point was, demand/popularity between May and September is much higher hence the average cost of flights are higher. Of course total flexibility will mean you can lower the price but it's well know Airlines don't make money in winter bar perhaps Christmas and skiing flights and this is due to demand falling off for travel in winter

Parchment

Cheap flights generally can be got going to places not many people want to go to on days they definitely dont want to travel on!

CelticRambler

I dunno. I've been looking at flights for people coming over this year to the same event at the same time as every one of the last ten years. Fares ex Ireland are about 30-50€ more expensive each way compared to last year ...