Best tips for finding budget flights across Europe?

I am planning a multi-city trip across Europe this summer and I am feeling overwhelmed by the high airfare prices. What are the best search engines or strategies to find the cheapest connections between countries? Are there specific days of the week or booking windows that actually result in lower fares? Any advice on navigating budget airlines versus legacy carriers would be greatly appreciated.

Use Skyscanner or Google Flights and set up price alerts early. I find that booking 6-8 weeks in advance is the sweet spot for summer travel. Also, don't forget to check out day trip options if you're flying into major hubs like London, as sometimes taking a train is cheaper than a short-haul flight.

Budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet are cheap, but watch out for the hidden baggage fees! Always weigh your suitcase before heading to the airport. If you're looking for more relaxing travel later in the year, check out these winter sun spots instead of fighting the summer crowds.

Try the 'Explore' feature on Google Flights. It lets you see the cheapest destinations from your starting city, which is great if you're flexible with your itinerary. Mid-week flights, specifically Tuesdays and Wednesdays, are almost always cheaper than weekend departures.

I always use Kiwi.com for multi-city trips because they have a 'Nomad' tool that builds the cheapest route for you. Just be careful with their self-transfer connections; make sure you leave plenty of time between flights.

Don't overlook legacy carriers! Sometimes they offer promotional fares that include a checked bag, which ends up being cheaper than a budget airline once you add all the extras. Always compare the total 'door-to-door' cost.

Avoid flying on Fridays and Sundays during the summer. If you can shift your travel to a Wednesday, you can often save 30-40% on European routes. Also, look into flying into secondary airports, as they are usually much cheaper.

If you have a lot of gear for something like a Scottish Highlands road trip, avoid budget airlines at all costs. The excess baggage fees will destroy your budget. Stick to legacy carriers for longer trips where you need more luggage.

Use an incognito browser window when searching. I'm not 100% sure if the 'dynamic pricing' myths are true, but it definitely helps keep your search history clean so you can compare prices accurately.

Check out Azair for budget flights within Europe. It's an incredible tool for finding cheap connections between smaller cities that don't always show up on the major search engines.

Book your flights as far in advance as possible for the summer months. European summer is peak season, and prices only go up as the dates get closer. If you're flexible, fly into a major hub and use a train or bus for the final leg.