Here are the best value destinations for your 2019 European summer

Couple with beautiful bright sweet Italian ice-cream with different flavors in the hands on the square in Rome , Italy

By Alexandra Coulton

While most Aussies often look for the cheapest flights, many forget to factor in local costs of accommodation, food and transportation that might turn a cheap-value break into a budget-breaking holiday.

For instance, although average airfare to Paris sit at $1,654, one of the cheapest, it’s estimated daily spend of $362 brings a 7-day holiday in the French capital to $4,193, more expensive than the same trip to Amsterdam, Munich and Milan.

To help Aussies upsize their dollar, Skyscanner looked into the average airfare and daily spend in the most popular European cities and reveal the best value Euro hotspots for 2019.

The research revealed that Athens and Rome are the best value European cities for Australian travellers to consider, with an average daily cost of $227 and $254 respectively.

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Barcelona also surfaced as a value destination for beer-loving Aussies to consider, with local beer (0.5L) costing only $4.89, while the same costs $10.60 in Paris!

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These estimated daily costs also make Dublin the most expensive destination, despite airfares to the Irish Capital being cheaper than Rome and Athens.

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Whilst Athens and Rome have been determined as the best value destination, unsurprisingly, London remains the top point of entry for Australians travelling to Europe. However, Euro-bound Aussies are starting to explore new destinations, with Moscow and Zagreb emerging in the top 20 list at #9 and #11, respectively.

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Exclusive early bird sales to these and a host of other European destinations are now available via Skyscanner, with those who plan ahead set to save a good 44% on flights booked now rather than those closer to departure. The top recommended savings are noted below:

Rank Destination Early Bird Airfares for 2019 Estimated Early Bird Savings
1 London from $1,058 41 per cent
2 Dublin from $1,087 42 per cent
3 Paris from $1,036 41 per cent
4 Rome from $1,129 41 per cent
5 Manchester from $1,088 43 per cent
6 Milan from $1,214 32 per cent
7 Barcelona from $1,297 32 per cent
8 Athens from $1,199 40 per cent
9 Belgrade from $1,158 37 per cent
10 Amsterdam from $1,011 44 per cent

An analysis of booking trend for 2018 European summer reveals that few Aussies are prepared to book almost a year in advance, while majority of bookings to Europe for the summer are booked only in May 2018.

This alarming pattern comes at a hefty price because last-minute bookings made in May are can be up to 22 per cent more expensive than the same ticket booked in October 2017.

Looking further into departures, June is the most popular month for Aussies to visit Europe, followed by July and August, with the majority of tourists naturally looking to the warmer months.

However, the increased demand also makes June the most expensive time to travel with airfares rocketing to an average $1,940, compared to when departing in May ($1,430) – a huge 22 per cent saving.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

european summer holiday cost skyscanner