What are the best low-cost carriers for finding the cheapest short-haul flights with simple fares?

If you want the cheapest short-haul flights and prefer simple, no-frills fares, the best low-cost carriers usually depend on your region. Here are the strongest options by reputation and route network:

In Europe

• Ryanair – Often the lowest headline fares, especially if you travel light and book early. Very basic fares, lots of add-on fees.
• Wizz Air – Frequently very cheap on Central/Eastern Europe routes; simple fare structure, but extras cost more.
• easyJet – Usually a bit more expensive than Ryanair/Wizz, but often a better balance of price, flexibility, and less hassle.
• Vueling – Good for Spain and wider Europe, often competitive on short-haul city pairs.
• Transavia – Strong for leisure routes in Western Europe.

In North America

• Southwest – Not always the absolute cheapest, but often the best value because bags and changes can be more flexible.
• Spirit – Very low base fares; cheapest if you only bring a small personal item and avoid extras.
• Frontier – Similar to Spirit, sometimes the lowest fare, but fees can add up quickly.
• Allegiant – Good for point-to-point leisure routes, especially smaller airports.

In Asia

• AirAsia – One of the best for consistently low fares across Southeast Asia.
• Scoot – Good for medium-haul budget routes from Singapore.
• IndiGo – Often the go-to for affordable domestic/regional short-haul flights in India and nearby routes.
• Nok Air / Thai AirAsia / Cebu Pacific / Jetstar Asia – Good regional budget choices depending on country and route.

In Latin America

• Volaris – Often one of the cheapest on Mexico and some U.S.-Latin America routes.
• Viva Aerobus – Usually very low fares in Mexico.
• Sky Airline / JetSMART – Good low-cost options in South America.

In Australia/New Zealand

• Jetstar – Main low-cost choice for short-haul domestic and regional flights.
• AirAsia – For some international regional routes.

Best choices if you want “simple fares”

If by simple you mean easy booking, fewer surprises, and straightforward pricing, these are often better than the absolute cheapest:

• easyJet
• Southwest
• AirAsia
• Jetstar
• IndiGo

Tips to actually get the cheapest fare

• Travel with only a personal item if possible.
• Avoid seat selection, checked bags, and priority boarding unless needed.
• Compare the total price, not just the headline fare.
• Book early for popular routes, but sometimes watch for sales.
• Use fare comparison tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak.

If you want, I can also give you a ranked list by country/region or help you compare which carriers are cheapest on a specific route.