You’ve heard the news: oil prices are through the roof, which means flights are going sky-high in more ways than one.
That was the final nail in the coffin for Spirit Airlines, which turns out was losing $1.61 for every $1 it took in — yikes!
Why I’m able to go to AutoZone and buy a pint of oil for the same exact price before the Strait of Hormuz chaos is another question, but hey, we’re not here to put you to sleep with an Economics lesson; we’re here to get you to Europe as cheaply as possible.
Frankly, the latest insight from Dollar Flight Club, experts in budget travel, revealed some shockingly low prices — so much so, I’m considering taking back swearing off Europe in 2026 after hearing of 6-hour lines with the latest EES border-control fiasco.
That said, Europe is timeless, gorgeous, storybook, and dozens of other adjectives that fit the bill, but the top 4 cheapest cities to reach especially stood out as some of our team’s favorites for summer.
Here are Europe’s 4 best value destinations for summer (June-August 2026):
PLUS: We’ve created an interactive quiz for you at the end of this article to find your perfect match!
4) Bergen, Norway
Hey, we didn’t say it would be cheap once you get here — we just promised to get you here without breaking the bank.
Yes, Norway can be very pricey.
I’ve been a handful of times, mostly on layovers, but I did have the distinct pleasure of visiting Bergen, and it still stands out in my mind as one of Europe’s prettiest postcard destinations in my mind’s eye.
Surrounded by flowing fjords and 7 mountains with a color-wheeled townscape, Bergen is no snooze-fest — it’s calling for adventure where hopping on a boat tour is all but obligatory.
Said adventure is much more enjoyable during summer, when the winter-wonderland vibes have completely subsided, and you get long daylight hours, glassy waters, and steep green mountains rising around the fjords.
According to Dollar Flight Club, you can score round-trip flights to Bergen this summer as low as $441.
Better yet, once you land, know you’re in good hands.
Our Safety Index indicates Norway is one of Europe’s safest countries with a real-time score of 88/100:
3) Porto, Portugal
Bergen is surprisingly affordable this summer for one key reason — and Portugal is in the same boat. As my realtor loves to drill into me, it’s all about “location, location, location.”
Portugal, like Norway, lies on Europe’s western edge, so it’s less fuel for airlines to burn than say if you flew to Austria.
But unlike Norway, Portugal feels tailor-made for summer — especially Porto, a budget-friendly, terracotta-roofed, azulejo-laden stunner that keeps climbing higher on travelers’ wishlists.
The Algarve may steal some of the shine away with golden beach getaways like Albufeira and Quarteira, but Porto is Lisbon’s best alternative as the Portuguese capital has been pushing travelers away with higher prices and overtourism headaches giving Barcelona a run for its money.
Set on the vibrant waterfront of the Douro River, Porto is welcoming and comes alive in summer with riverside wine bars, golden-hour sunsets, blue-tiled photo ops, and Atlantic beaches just a short ride away.
According to Dollar Flight Club, you can score round-trip flights to Porto this summer as low as $426.
Travelers are saying Porto currently feels safe with a high safety score of 85/100:
While you’re planning out logistics, you might as well double-check travel alerts and entry requirements for your trip.
2) Dublin, Ireland
Dublin needs no description, but we’ve got one for you anyway.
Easily one of Europe’s most convenient gateways — even if it wasn’t so affordable to get here — this is yet another city that can be a wallet drainer on arrival, which is why many opt for a couple of days before hopping aboard a dirt-cheap Ryanair flight elsewhere.
Ireland, in general, is astounding come summertime with its bygone castles and lush greenery expanding from windswept coastlines to storybook villages.
Ironically, one of the coolest things to do here is grab a seat inside a dimly-lit classic pub spanning centuries of tall tales that who knows are true or not.
According to Dollar Flight Club, you can score round-trip flights to Dublin this summer as low as $390.
Travelers feel even safer here than they do in Norway, currently scoring safety levels 88/100:
1) Stockholm, Sweden
If I can fall in love with Stockholm during a dreary winter, then there’s no doubt you can find your new heartthrob in summer.
I’ve been to every major city in Scandinavia, and Bergen too. Stockholm is undeniably my favorite.
You can read all about my vitriol for Copenhagen here…but I have nothing but glowing remarks for Sweden’s most beloved city.
While I still have a lot of places to check of my European wishlist, I can’t imagine there are many more captiviating Old Towns than the urban island of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan.
Though slightly touristy, I never got tired of roaming every nook and cranny with a cupful of mulled wine or piping hot coffee.
Call me a fika freak, but the “fika” life is for me, where lounging in a cozy cafe with no time limit isn’t frowned upon — it’s encouraged.
It’s even better in summer, when Gamla Stan’s cafes move outside, the harbor feels alive, and you can wander for hours without needing to thaw out afterward.
According to Dollar Flight Club, you can score round-trip flights to Stockholm this summer as low as $350.
I never felt unsafe in Stockholm, albeit a bellyache from questionable Indian food, but travelers agree the city feels safe to explore with an impressive 85/100 safety score:
Now take this quiz to find your perfect match!
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
