How to Book Round-Trip Tickets from the USA to Israel with a Stopover in Europe

You can save a lot of money by booking a flight to Israel with a stopover, but you must do it wisely. Here is what you need to know.

We are at that time of year again where families and couples who are living in Israel are looking at tickets to come to the States for Pesach. Unfortunately, as anyone “in the parsha” knows, the prices for tickets have skyrocketed as many of the normal, more budget friendly providers are not operating because of the ongoing war. One of the popular, budget friendly solutions is booking an Israeli airline to Europe and using a cheaper provider for Europe to the US, but many people feel like this needs to be done with a travel agent, or they just find the whole process daunting.

We have been flying with stopovers in Europe for years, and I have complied a list of easy tips to simplify the process:

1. Start by using search engines for a hybrid airline trip

Popular search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak often offer hybrid trips, like this one, with El – Al and Virgin with a short stop in London for $1,348 (compared to a direct flight with El–Al on the same dates for $1,679).

Just search the search engines for your date, from low to high, and look at any offerings with an Israeli Airline and a stop-over.

This is usually the simplest way to plan a stopover trip, but it isn’t always the most competitive when it comes to pricing, and these flights tend to get booked quickly. One of the biggest advantages of this kind of booking is that the baggage is usually transferred for you so you do not need to deal with it (double check because this is not always the case).

2. Select El Al or another Israeli airline for the Europe-to-Israel Leg

El Al, Israel’s national airline, is known for its top-tier service and security protocols, and recently has been THE most reliable option out there. It offers frequent flights from major European cities like London, Paris, and Frankfurt to Tel Aviv. Booking this portion separately allows you to enjoy El Al’s hospitality on the shorter, direct leg to Israel without paying for the prohibitive costs of El Al on a direct TLV- USA flight.
The other Israeli airlines to look at are Israir, Tarom, Arkia and Air Haifa (from Athens and Larnaca to Haifa). These are low-cost airlines, so you will need to look carefully at additional costs for baggage and the like.
Use a travel search engine with TLV – Anywhere/ Everywhere on your dates (depends on the search engine) and then you will see different city options pop up by price. Choose the cheapest European city that has flights to the US (smaller European cities will usually entail another stopover, which can be a bit much) and check your options.

This step takes patience, as often what shows as the lowest price is only low using one of the low – cost airlines that have started flying out of TLV, like Ryan Air or Wizz Air (which are a very cheap option if you are booking very close to the date you are flying and are willing to take the risk).

A quick search led me to this El – Al  flight to Athens for $395.

3. Book the USA-to-Europe Flights once you have identified what European City you are flying to

For the first leg of your journey, use budget-friendly carriers or popular search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak. Airlines like Norwegian, TAP Air Portugal, Hi Ski often offer more competitive rates then the classic Delta and United. Flexibility with your departure city and dates can unlock significant savings.

4. Ensure a Smooth Transition Between Flights

When booking separate tickets, it’s crucial to allow sufficient time between flights for immigration, baggage collection, and security. Aim for at least 4–6 hours of layover or consider an overnight stay in your European stopover city to explore and rest before continuing to Israel.

I chose this flight to Bucharest, with plenty of time in between flights, for $521.

5. Compare Costs and Policies

Booking flights separately often saves money but requires careful coordination. Check each airline’s baggage policies and potential fees for changes or cancellations. Some budget carriers have strict carry-on limits, so factor this into your planning.

6. Plan Your Return Journey

Repeat the process in reverse for your trip back. Ensure the timing aligns, especially if you’re flying from Israel back to Europe with El Al and continuing to the U.S. with a separate airline.

Benefits of This Approach

Cost Savings:

• Separating the ticket purchases often reduces overall airfare costs.
  
  My total was $961 per ticket, compared to the $1,679 per ticket for a direct El – Al flight. That $781 savings per ticket really adds up when you have a large family that is flying, but even a small family like ours can take advantage of the significant savings.

Flexibility:

• A stopover in Europe adds cultural and leisure value to your trip. We have chosen locations that we have been able to tour and really enjoyed on our stopovers, even with kids.
  
  We turned a drawn-out long trip into an exciting adventure.

El Al Reliability:

• With a strong reputation for safety and service, El Al ensures peace of mind during your flight to Israel.

Final Tips

• Use a credit card that offers travel protections for separate bookings.
• Download all boarding passes and travel documents for easy access.
• Check visa requirements for your chosen European stopover country.

Booking round-trip tickets this way not only makes your journey to Israel more affordable but also lets you enjoy the best of both Europe and Israel. With some thoughtful planning, your trip will be as seamless as it is memorable. Happy travels!