Wizz Air Review: How Budget Flights Helped Me Explore Nearly 100 Countries

The Airline That Gave Me Countless Countries and Countless Memories

Some airlines simply take you from one airport to another.

Others quietly become part of your travel story.

For me, that airline has always been Wizz Air.

Long before I started writing travel blogs, Wizz Air was helping me create the memories that eventually became those stories. More than 20 countries, countless flights, thousands of photographs, unforgettable family holidays, spontaneous adventures, and some of the cheapest airfares, I’ve ever booked all began with its distinctive purple aircraft.

Founded in Hungary in 2003, Wizz Air grew into one of Europe’s largest ultra-low-cost airlines, connecting hundreds of cities across Europe, the Middle East and beyond. When Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launched, it became even more valuable for travellers like me living in Dubai.

Why Abu Dhabi Airport Worked So Well

Many people automatically search for flights from Dubai.

I don’t.

Living in Dubai Marina, reaching Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi has never been difficult. The drive costs a little more than going to Dubai Airport, but when a flight is hundreds or even thousands of dirhams cheaper, that small extra journey becomes insignificant.

Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate Zayed International Airport. It’s modern, spacious, efficient, and far less stressful than many major international hubs. Check-in is usually smooth, security queues move quickly, and starting a holiday from there always feels relaxed.

That doesn’t mean, I don’t love Dubai International Airport. Quite the opposite, DXB feels like home. After living in Dubai for so many years, landing there always brings a familiar sense of comfort. In fact, my kids often say, “We’re home!” the moment they see Dubai from the aircraft window. But whenever Wizz Air offered incredible fares from Abu Dhabi, the short drive from Dubai Marina was a small price to pay for another adventure.

Sometimes choosing a different airport is the smartest travel decision you can make.

The Flight That Changed Our Christmas Plans

During Christmas of 2023, Jordan wanted to visit France. And it was his first trip after a break of Covid waves.

Flights from Dubai to Paris were almost AED 3,800 per person. Instead of giving up, I searched Wizz Air. I found tickets from Abu Dhabi to Athens for just AED 220 per person. From Athens, I booked another Wizz Air flight to Paris for around €60.

Rather than flying directly, we turned the journey into another Lost Mumbaikar adventure. We spent four wonderful days exploring Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia before continuing to France.

Instead of paying thousands more on direct flights, we visited four extra countries for roughly AED 500 in additional airfares.

That’s the real beauty of smart flight booking.

If you understand how to use connecting flights, self-transfers, open-jaw itineraries, stopovers, and multi-city bookings, one holiday can easily become four or five countries without dramatically increasing your travel budget.

Honestly, that’s one of the biggest reasons I’ve been able to travel to nearly 100 countries. It isn’t because I spend more. It’s because I’m flexible with dates, airports, and routes, and I’ve learned how airline pricing works.

Knowing when to book flights, which airports to use, how to search effectively, when to use incognito mode, and how airfare algorithms and dynamic pricing influence ticket prices can make a remarkable difference. While there are many myths about search history “cheating” the system, using good booking strategies, comparing fares, being flexible, and monitoring prices are what consistently save money.

If you’d like to learn how I find these deals, build multi-country itineraries, and stretch every travel budget, I’m always happy to share the techniques that have helped me explore the world for far less than most people imagine.

That’s the magic of budget airlines when you plan creatively.

Europe Is Where Wizz Air Truly Shines

Most people think of Wizz Air as the airline that gets you into Europe cheaply. For me, its biggest strength is travelling within Europe.

Its extensive network makes it incredibly easy to connect countries that traditional airlines often price much higher. Some of my flights have cost as little as €9.99 one-way on selected routes.

I still remember flying from Warsaw to Abu Dhabi for around €60, with a one-day stopover in Rome. Those unexpected stopovers often become some of the best parts of the journey.

Wizz Air isn’t a luxury airline. No Frills, No Problem.There’s no complimentary meal. No unnecessary extras. No pretending to be something it’s isn’t.

You pay for what you need.

Travelling as a family, that has never bothered us. We usually carry our own snacks, occasionally buy something onboard, and even the food sold during the flight is reasonably priced.

I’d rather save hundreds of euros on airfare and spend that money exploring another city.

My Favourite Low-Cost Airlines

Over the years I’ve flown with many budget airlines. And the below are my favorites:

• Wizz Air– My favourite for Europe and Middle East connections.
• Ryanair– Excellent network and unbeatable fares if you understand the baggage rules.
• easyJet– Reliable across Western Europe.
• Avianca– My favourite airline in South America. Although not always marketed as a traditional low-cost carrier, I’ve consistently found it better than many so called budget airlines, with good service and an extensive network across the continent.

The Lost Mumbaikar Reflections

I’ve been fortunate enough to fly some of the world’s finest airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, United Airlines, and Air New Zealand. I’ve even experienced business class on several of them, and the service is undoubtedly exceptional.

But when it comes to exploring the world, my priorities are different.

A flight is simply a means to an adventure. I find my seat, put on my headphones, listen to some music, get a little sleep, and save my energy for what really matters; the road trip, the hidden villages, the local food, and the experiences waiting after landing.

People often ask how we’ve managed to visit nearly 100 countries without spending a fortune.

The answer isn’t luxury travel hacks.

It’s choosing the right airline, staying flexible with dates and destinations, and turning layovers into adventures.

Low-cost airlines aren’t for everyone, but if you understand their rules, they can offer incredible value. Travel with the right cabin baggage, check in online, follow the boarding policies, and avoid unnecessary add-ons. Once you learn how these airlines work, they’re no more stressful than flying a full-service carrier. You simply pay only for the services you actually need.

I’d rather spend the money I save on another destination, a scenic road trip, or an extra night with my family than on comforts, I’ll only enjoy for a few hours in the air. Sadly, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is no longer what it once was. When the airline closed its Abu Dhabi base in 2025, it marked the end of one of the best low-cost travel options for UAE residents.

For me, Wizz Air was much more than an airline. It gave us the freedom to say “Why not?” whenever a long weekend appeared on the calendar.

When a AED 200 fare popped up, the decision was easy. In Dubai, a family day out or a nice dinner can easily cost as much as or even more than a flight to Europe. Instead of spending another weekend at familiar places, we found ourselves exploring cities like Athens, Tirana, Belgrade, Budapest, and many others.

Those spontaneous trips became some of our most treasured family memories. They taught us that travel doesn’t have to be expensive, it simply has to be possible.

Some airlines sell seats but Wizz Air sold us opportunities.

The Lost Mumbaikar Says:

“Wizz Air gave us the freedom to explore farther, experience more, and discover that the greatest journeys aren’t always the most expensive, they’re the ones that leave you with stories worth telling”.

Your Turn:

• What’s the cheapest flight you’ve ever booked, and where did it take you?
• Would you rather fly direct or add a stopover if it meant visiting another country for almost the same price?
• What’s your favourite low-cost airline, and which destination surprised you the most?

See Also:

• Dubai Travel Guide 2026: Visa, Best Time, Itinerary & Travel Tips
• A Road Trip That Quietly Changed My Journey