Airfare Expert: Europe fares fall in autumn

— -- All the Olympic medals have been passed out and now it's your turn to win - the airfare game, anyway. Here come cheaper flights to Europe.

London is significantly cheaper than it was at the peak of this summer, as ticket prices have dropped as much as 15 to 20% and even more in some cases. Chalk it up to the end of the Games and the now-underway cheaper fall season. I'm seeing September ticket prices from New York for as little as a hair under $800 round-trip, and for about $750 in October and November.

But let me back up a minute. These "cheap" prices may seem pretty high to you - even historically high - and in some cases they are, but blame it on fuel surcharges and taxes that add about $600 to the price of a $200 ticket. The actual "airfare" part of a fall ticket to London is only about a hundred bucks each way, but all those mandatory extras bulk up the price.

Note that the very cheapest flights include a layover; avoiding nonstops is almost always a smart way to save. One more thing: Prices will dip again at the end of October, which is the start of the airline's winter season for Europe. Then prices will climb again, but just a bit, on certain dates around the Christmas/New Year's holiday period.

Which are the cheapest European destinations?

Check out prices to Dublin; nonstop flights to Ireland out of New York are going for a shade more than $500 round trip on a fairly broad range of dates throughout the fall. Nonstops to Spain are good deals as well; you can get tickets to Barcelona for about $730 in October and November, and prices to Madrid are just a few bucks more. If you like Paris — and what's not to like? — you can do even better, with nonstops for as little as $720 round trip in October.

Which cities are expensive?

As is often the case, cities in Italy are running a bit higher than other European destinations; airline tickets to Rome, for example, are ranging between $800 and $900 depending on whether you want a nonstop flight from New York or don't mind a layover.

What is the cheapest time of year to fly to Europe?

Once winter hits, you will see even more deals during Europe's low season. But for my money, fall is the best time to go, as prices are good and crowds have dwindled. It won't be beach weather, but then again, many of Europe's treasures are indoors and the lines to access them will be a whole lot shorter than in summer.

FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney is an airline industry insider and top media air travel resource. Follow Rick ( @rickseaney) and never overpay for airfare again.