How to Find the Cheapest Flights from Nigeria to Europe (2025 Budget Travel Guide)

So, you’re a Nigerian dreaming of that European getaway—maybe strolling the streets of Paris, eating pasta in Rome, or exploring the Christmas markets in Prague. But before you pack your Ghana-Must-Go and dash to the airport, you’ve got to tackle the biggest hurdle: finding cheap flights from Nigeria to Europe.

Trust me, I get it. Flights from Lagos or Abuja can feel unreasonably expensive. But with a bit of strategy, patience, and the right tools, you can fly to Europe without emptying your entire life savings. Let’s break it down:

✈️ Timing Is Everything: When to Book

You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s true—the “sweet spot” for cheap flights is around 45 days before your departure. Not too early. Not too last-minute.

But here’s what many Nigerians don’t realize:
📅 Don’t book flights on a weekend—Saturdays and Sundays are when airlines know people are chilling and browsing. That’s when prices spike.
✅ Try booking on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, when demand drops and prices dip.
📉 Always monitor prices for a few days before booking. Don’t just click “Buy” immediately. Use platforms like Google Flights, Hopper, or Skyscanner to track and compare.

🌍 Where to Fly From (and To)

✈️ Fly out of Lagos or Abuja—but stay flexible

While Lagos is the busiest hub, Abuja sometimes has cheaper fares, especially for European carriers like Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines. If you’re in another city like Port Harcourt or Enugu, it’s usually better to take a cheap local flight or bus to Lagos first.

🔄 Try multi-city or indirect routes

Flying directly to Paris or London is rarely the cheapest. Instead:

• Search for flights to Istanbul, Warsaw, or Lisbon—they often cost less and are well-connected to other European cities.

• Look for flights that connect in the Middle East (Qatar Airways, Emirates) or North Africa (Royal Air Maroc, EgyptAir) for better deals.

💸 Realistic Budget Expectations

If you’re working with a tight budget (₦200k–₦400k round trip), flexibility is your best friend.

• Avoid peak seasons like summer (June–August) and December holidays.

• Travel mid-week if possible—Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly.

• If you spot a good deal with a long layover, don’t write it off—use that stopover to explore a bonus city (hello, free mini-trip!).

🏨 Accommodation: No to Chain Hotels, Yes to Smart Choices

So you’ve landed in Europe—congrats! But now, where will you sleep that doesn’t cost €100 a night?

🏠 Skip the flashy Airbnbs and go for:

• Hostels: Don’t worry, many modern hostels feel more like budget hotels with private rooms and free breakfast. They cost as little as €20–€30 a night.

• Budget hotels: Check out platforms like Booking.com and filter by price and guest reviews.

• Couchsurfing or Workaway: For the adventurous traveler, these are ways to stay for free in exchange for a cultural exchange or light work.

🇲🇦 North Africa: The Cheaper, Closer Alternative

Okay, this one is for my people who want something “abroad” but closer and cheaper. Enter Morocco.

• Hostels in Morocco are ridiculously cheap—like $5–$10 per night—and often charming and clean.

• Street food like kebabs and tagine goes for $1–$2, and the scenery (from the Sahara to the mountains to the cities) is stunning.

• People are warm and welcoming, though yes, you’ll deal with a lot of street vendors and touts. Just be polite and keep walking.

🇳🇬 Why Traveling as a Nigerian Is Tricky (But Doable)

Let’s be real—Nigerian passports don’t open a ton of doors easily. Visas are expensive, and embassies like to test our patience. But it’s not impossible. Start planning your visa appointments early (some Schengen countries like Spain and Italy tend to have shorter wait times than France or Germany), and make sure your documents are solid.

Pro tip: If you’ve traveled regionally (Ghana, Kenya, Morocco), it strengthens your visa application for Europe.

🧳 Final Tips for Nigerian Budget Travelers

• Pack light—budget airlines in Europe will charge you for every extra kg.

• Use public transport—Europe’s trains and buses are reliable, and apps like Omio and FlixBus help you travel cheap.

• Always check visa requirements before booking flights.

🎯 Bottom Line

You don’t need ₦1 million to start your travel dreams. With the right timing, flexible planning, and a backpacker’s mindset, you can fly from Nigeria to Europe, eat €1 croissants, and sleep in clean, cozy hostels.

Your passport might make the journey harder, but your determination, research, and hustle can make it happen.

Got questions about flights or visas from Nigeria? Drop them in the comments or DM me on Instagram—let’s make travel more possible for Nigerians in 2025 and beyond.