The Cheap Seats

Train, plane, or automobile. Which is the cheapest way to get around Europe?

Surprisingly enough, getting around by airplane is sometimes the least expensive choice. True, you don't get the experience of crossing a country by rail and seeing all there is to see, but you can get there quicker and sometimes for less than 30 euros one way, depending on the route, the day, and any promotions. A current promotion from easyJet could get me from Berlin to Athens for 29.99 in October. 

easyJet: my favorite of the two. Compare travel dates on their website,
Flying just a few days earlier or later could save you loads. 

That's cheap.  

Ryanair is the other big name in the cheap airfare business. Super cheap flights can be had with them as well,  but you have to be extra careful with these guys. Read the fine print. For example, forgetting to print out your boarding pass at home could cost you an extra 40 euros at the airport. They have a lot of fees to be aware of, so make sure you read through everything. You also need to take a second look at the name of the airport you're flying into and where it really is. Their "Barcelona" airport is actually 90 kilometers or so away from the city.

Ryanair: super cheap, just make sure you read everything.

Now, IF you aren't checking any bags and have actually measured your carry on to make sure it fits requirements and IF you've read the fine print and made sure you covered all your bases and know where you're going, then easyJet and Ryanair make for cheap, quick ways to get from point A to point B. 

Boarding often includes taking a bus to the far reaches of an airfield, followed
closely by a mad sprint to the stairs by people who so desperately want
their very special most favorite seat on the plane.