The era of finding ultra-low-cost flights from Germany to destinations like London, Rome, or Barcelona appears to be coming to an end. Travelers are increasingly facing a landscape defined by higher prices, fewer direct flight options, and the necessity to book travel significantly further in advance. Recent data confirms that airfares are rising across the board, even among the continent's most prominent budget carriers.
A new study from the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) highlights a sharp increase in the cost of basic one-way tickets, which exclude checked luggage and other extras. Average fares now range from €81 on Wizz Air to €141 on Eurowings. Meanwhile, Ryanair, once the go-to for budget travel, now averages nearly €90 per flight, while EasyJet averages just over €107. These figures represent a notable climb from the previous year, when average prices ranged between €67 and €130. These findings align with official inflation data from Germany’s statistical office, which reported an 8.5 percent increase in airfares during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Specifically, flights within Europe—the backbone of summer holidays and weekend getaways—saw an 11.5 percent price hike.
The shortage of affordable flights is largely attributed to the fact that Germany has yet to return to pre-pandemic flight volumes. According to the aviation association BDL, budget airlines are operating at only 82 percent of their pre-Covid schedules in Germany. In contrast, low-cost capacity in the rest of Europe has expanded by more than 30 percent over the same timeframe. Airline executives have frequently cited Germany’s high aviation taxes and airport charges as primary reasons for the shift, arguing that it is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to operate from. Although the federal government recently reduced the air travel tax by €2.50 to €11.40 per passenger, carriers maintain that security fees, air traffic control costs, and airport charges remain prohibitively high.
Faced with these operational costs, airlines are increasingly relocating their aircraft to countries where flying is more economical. Ryanair, for instance, is set to close its Berlin base starting with the winter 2026 schedule, while Lufthansa has already cut tens of thousands of flights following the closure of its regional subsidiary, CityLine, with further reductions expected next year.
For passengers, the impact is tangible. The DLR study indicates that booking a ticket just one day before departure can result in average prices between €118 and €201. While rare bargains—such as a €15 Ryanair ticket from Karlsruhe to London—still occasionally appear, they are becoming exceptions rather than the rule. Consequently, travelers situated near Germany's borders may find that airports in neighboring countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Poland, or the Czech Republic offer a more attractive range of low-cost options.
Notably these prices cover only the most basic ticket, which allows passengers to bring just a small personal bag with them. To bring an additional cabin bag, checked luggage or choose your seat are all considered extras that cost more.
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