EU travelers can save on tickets and claim up to €600 for flight delays

Airline ticket prices can be reduced dramatically by booking flexibly. Travelers save the most by searching 1–3 months before departure, using incognito mode, limiting searches to a single passenger, and considering nearby airports such as Vienna when flying from Hungary. Mid‑week departures (Thursday and Saturday) are statistically cheaper, and price‑comparison sites like Skyscanner, Google Flights and airline‑direct websites help identify the lowest fares.

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers on qualifying flights are entitled to compensation of €250, €400 or €600 depending on distance and delay length. A delay of three hours or more at the final destination triggers the right to claim, unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances. Claims must be submitted by the passenger, either directly to the airline or through third‑party services. Airlines are also required to provide meals, accommodation and transport for long delays, and passengers may opt for a full ticket refund if the delay exceeds five hours.