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You’ve heard the news: oil prices are skyrocketing, which means flights are going through the roof in more ways than one.
That was the final nail in the coffin for Spirit Airlines, which lost $1.61 for every $1 it made – yay!
Why I can go to AutoZone and buy a pint of oil for the exact same price before chaos ensues in the Strait of Hormuz is another question, but hey, we’re not here to put you to sleep with an economics lesson; we are here to get you to Europe as cheaply as possible.
Honestly, the newest insight from Dollar Flight Club, budget travel experts, revealed some shockingly low prices – so much so that I’m considering taking back Europe’s abolition in 2026 after hearing of 6-hour lines with the latest EES border control fiasco.
That said, Europe is timeless, beautiful, storybook, and dozens of other adjectives to go with it, but the top 4 cheapest cities to get to particularly stood out as some of our team’s favorites for the summer.
Here are the 4 cheapest European destinations for the summer (June-August 2026):
4) Bergen, Norway
Hey, we didn’t say it would be cheap once you got here – we just promised to get you here without breaking the bank.
Yes, Norway can be very pricey.
I’ve been there a few times, mostly with stops, but I did have the pleasure of visiting Bergen, and I still remember it when one of Europe’s most beautiful postcard destinations in my mind’s eye.
Surrounded by flowing fjords and seven mountains with a color wheel cityscape, Bergen is no snooze-fest; it requires adventure where a boat trip is almost mandatory.
This adventure is much more fun in the summer, when the winter wonderland atmosphere is completely gone and you get long daylight hours, crystal clear water and steep green mountains around the fjords.
According to Dollar Flight Club, you can score roundtrip flights to Bergen this summer from $441.
Better yet, once you land, know you’re in good hands.
Our safety index indicates that Norway is one of the safest countries in Europe, with a real-time score of 88/100:
3) Porto, Portugal
Bergen is surprisingly affordable this summer for one main reason: and Portugal is in the same boat. Since my agent likes to dive into me, it’s all about “location, location, location.”
Portugal, like Norway, is on the western edge of Europe, so airlines have to burn less fuel than if you were flying to Austria.
But unlike Norway Portugal feels tailor-made for summer – especially Porto, a budget-friendly, terracotta-covered, azulejo-laden stunner that’s climbing higher and higher on travellers’ wish lists.
The Algarve may steal some of the shine with golden beach holidays like Albufeira and Quarteira, but Porto is Lisbon’s best alternative as the Portuguese capital pushes travelers away with higher prices and headaches from overtourism, giving Barcelona value for money.
Located on the vibrant waterfront of the Douro River, Porto is welcoming and comes alive in summer with riverside wine bars, golden sunsets, blue-tiled pictures and Atlantic beaches just a short drive away.
According to Dollar Flight Club, you can book return flights to Porto this summer as low as $426.
Travelers say Porto currently feels safe with a high safety score of 85/100:
2) Dublin, Ireland
Dublin doesn’t need a description, but we’ve got one for you anyway.
Easily one of the most convenient gateways to Europe – even if it wasn’t all that affordable to get here – this is another city that can be a wallet drainer upon arrival. That’s why many choose to wait a few days before boarding a dirt-cheap Ryanair flight elsewhere.
Ireland is generally astonishing in summer, with its bygone castles and lush greenery stretching from windswept coastlines to storybook villages.
Ironically, one of the coolest things to do here is sit in a dimly lit classic pub that tells centuries of tall tales that, who knows, may or may not be true.
According to Dollar Flight Club, you can book return flights to Dublin this summer as low as $390.
Travelers feel even safer here than in Norway, where safety levels 88/100 are currently achieved:
1) Stockholm, Sweden
If I can fall in love with Stockholm during a gloomy winter, then I’m sure you can find your new heartthrob in the summer.
I’ve been to every major city in Scandinavia, including Bergen. Stockholm is undeniably my favorite.
You can read all about my vitriol for Copenhagen here…but I have nothing but praise for Sweden’s most beloved city.
While I still have many places to check out on my European bucket list, I can’t imagine there are many more fascinating old towns than the urban island of Stockholm. Gamla Stan.
Although it is a bit touristy, I have never tired of wandering through every nook and cranny with a cup of mulled wine or piping hot coffee.
Call me a fika freak, but for me the “fika” life is where lounging in a cozy cafe with no time limit is not frowned upon – it is encouraged.
It’s even better in summer, when Gamla Stan’s cafes move outside, the harbor feels lively and you can wander around for hours without having to thaw afterwards.
According to Dollar Flight Club, you can book return flights to Stockholm this summer as low as $350.
I’ve never felt unsafe in Stockholm, despite stomach aches from questionable Indian food, but travelers agree the city feels safe to explore with an impressive safety score of 85/100:
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