Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide to Airfare Taxes and Fees in Europe

a close up of tickets and coins

Have you ever flown out of the UK and paid an exorbitant amount in random taxes and fees? Annoying, right? Each country in Europe handles taxes and fees differently. Some countries like Italy seemingly add BS taxes onto airfare just for the sake of making money, without any other purpose, but don’t get me wrong — a country has every right to charge what they want.

I always find myself checking what each country charges when it comes to taxes and fees. I decided to do some research and put together a bit of analysis on select major cities in Europe and what you can expect to pay in taxes and fees on your airfare.

It’s important to note that you will be charged for the country from which you depart and the fees listed here are added by the country, not the airline. This is an important distinction as often the airline surcharges and fees are an arbitrary number that fluctuates. 

(click images to enlarge)

United Kingdom

 

a table with text on it

 

a map of england with cities

Germany

a close-up of a price list

a map of europe with red dots

Spain

a white background with black text

a map of europe with cities

Italy

a price list of security

a map of italy with cities

France

a table with black text and black text

a map of europe with different cities

Ireland

a close-up of a price list

a map of ireland with cities


Departure Taxes by Airport

As you can see, the United Kingdom, driven mostly by London, is by far the country that levies the highest amount of departure taxes and fees on airfare. In fact, the average UK taxes are ~68% higher than the second-highest country, Germany.

In the graphic below, you’ll see the departure taxes by each airport and the country.

(click to enlarge)

a graph of blue rectangular bars with black text

Not surprising, both London airports top the list at North of $150, with Helsinki, Finland (HEL) coming in at a mere $18.10.

Average Departure Taxes by Country

So how does each country stack up against each other? No surprises yet again that the UK is highest on the list in average departure tax levied.

(click to enlarge)
a graph of blue squares with black text


How to Find this Information for Yourself

If you’re looking to book a flight and are curious how much additional you’ll be paying in taxes and fees, the best method is by using ITA Matrix.

To this, first, enter your flight information…

a screenshot of a computer

Select your flight…

a screenshot of a schedule

Find the taxes and fees…

a blue ticket with white text


The Data

Updated: 4/1/2018

CityCodeCountryTotal
London-HeathrowLHRUnited Kingdom$172.70
London-CityLCYUnited Kingdom$172.70
ManchesterMANUnited Kingdom$136.30
BirminghamBHXUnited Kingdom$129.70
London-GatwickLGWUnited Kingdom$129.20
London-StanstedSTNUnited Kingdom$125.90
Frankfurt-MainFRAGermany$104.00
MunichMUCGermany$88.70
BerlinTXLGermany$79.40
BerlinSXFGermany$71.40
Paris-CDGCDGFrance$65.90
Paris-OrlyORYFrance$62.80
Rome-FiumicinoFCOItaly$52.00
NiceNCEFrance$40.80
AthensATHGreece$40.70
MarseilleMRSFrance$40.20
ToulouseTLSFrance$39.80
ZurichZRHSwitzerland$36.60
MilanMXPItaly$34.80
LisbonLISPortugal$34.40
MadridMADSpain$31.40
VeniceVCEItaly$30.60
AmsterdamAMSNetherlands$28.70
BarcelonaBCNSpain$26.40
NaplesNAPItaly$25.90
DublinDUBIreland$25.60
OsloOSLNorway$24.90
CorkORKIreland$24.50
ReykjavikKEFIceland$23.10
ShannonSNNIreland$21.70
HelsinkiHELFinland$18.10

Featured image courtesy of Pixabay.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram!

Total
0
Shares
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

5 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

[…] on the other hand, are all over the amp with different amounts of taxes charged. Check out this post on the Travel Update that breaks down taxes levied at different European Airports across the […]

J L

excellent analysis! super interesting for data nerds like myself.

flyhuyaway

great article!!

Previous Post
a city skyline with a bridge over water

5 Places You Can Go With the AMEX Hilton Ascend Card Welcome Bonus

Next Post
a couch and a bench in a room

Have you discovered the best British Airways lounge at Heathrow?

More Posts by: The Short Final