Cheapest Countries To Fly To From Uk

So there I was, staring at a bank account that had more cobwebs than cash, but my soul was screaming for a dose of cheap wine and a new stamp in my passport. Classic dilemma, right? I opened Skyscanner with the kind of reckless hope usually reserved for lottery tickets, and guess what? I found a £35 return flight to Poland. Yes, thirty-five quid. That’s less than my last takeaway order. That little click changed everything, and it made me realise: you don’t need a second mortgage to escape the British drizzle.

The secret is simple: fly east, not south. While everyone else is bankrupting themselves on a week in the Maldives, you can practically throw a dart at a map of Eastern Europe and land on a cheap flight. Think of it as the budget traveller’s version of a cheat code. Let’s be honest, the airport carbon footprint isn’t great, but your wallet will be doing calisthenics.

Poland: The Undisputed Champion of Cheap

Poland is my go-to, and it should be yours too. Cracow and Warsaw are dirt cheap to fly into from most UK airports, with Ryanair and Wizz Air basically fighting to undercut each other. You can get return tickets for £25-£50 if you book outside school holidays. And once you land? A pint of excellent beer costs around £2.50. A massive plate of pierogi? Maybe £4. It’s like the UK economy, but with food you actually want to eat.

I remember walking into a bar in Krakow’s main square and buying three rounds for the price of one London gin and tonic. The square is beautiful, but it’s also a tourist trap; just walk two streets away and you’ll find locals paying half the price. Honestly, if you’re on a shoestring, Poland is basically a legal robbery of value.

Budapest, Hungary: The Thermal Bath Bargain

Hungary is another heavy lifter in the cheap stakes. Flights to Budapest often go for around £40-£70 return. The Hungarian forint is weak against the pound, which means your money goes far. You can soak in a thermal bath like a Roman emperor for under £15—that’s cheaper than a wet afternoon in Brighton.

And the ruin bars? Magical. You’re drinking in a derelict courtyard surrounded by vintage furniture, and your biggest worry is not the price but whether you’ll fit into a booth. The only downside is the language—try pronouncing “egészségedre” after three cheap palinkas. It’s a challenge, but a fun one.

Romania: Transylvania on a Shoestring

Romania is still flying under the radar for most British tourists, which is great for your bank balance. Flights to Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca can drop to £35-£60 return. And the local currency, the leu, makes everything feel like a flash sale. We’re talking about a three-course meal with wine for £15.

You can even take a cheap train into the Carpathian Mountains or visit Dracula’s castle (it’s a bit touristy, but still cool). The best part? No one else has thought of it yet. You’ll feel like a pioneer, except your pioneer wagon is a budget airline seat with no legroom. But hey, you’re saving money!

Bulgaria: The Sunny Beach Secret (But Skip Sunny Beach)

Bulgaria is famous for its package holiday resorts, but those are actually the expensive traps. The real deal is flying to Sofia or Plovdiv for £40-£80 return. Sofia is a gritty, cool city where you can get a coffee for 80p and eat a massive kebab for £3.

The Balkan cuisine is hearty, the people are friendly, and the mountains are right on the city’s doorstep. Just don’t expect a perfectly manicured lawn—this is real, rough-around-the-edges Europe. And it’s incredible. You’ll come back with more cash in your pocket and a story about a grandma who sold you homemade rakia from a plastic bottle.

Italy? Well, Almost Cheap (If You’re Clever)

Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room: Italy is not cheap. But you can fly to northern Italy for surprisingly little. Bergamo, Venice (the main airport, not the islands), and Bologna often have return flights for £50-£80. The trick is to skip the tourist traps; buy a sandwich from a local deli instead of a restaurant and you’ll still eat like a king for under €10.

Sure, an espresso in Milan will cost you €3, but in a backstreet in Bergamo it’s €1.20. It’s about knowing where to go. You can have a proper Italian weekend without selling a kidney—just avoid the gondola ride. (Seriously, it’s €80 for a boat trip. Take a vaporetto for €7, you’ll get the same view and feel smug about it.)

The Netherlands? Surprisingly Cheap Flights, Expensive Beer

Amsterdam is famously pricey for accommodation, but flights to Eindhoven or Rotterdam can be absolute bargains—often £30-£60 return. The trick is to stay in a hostel or an Airbnb outside the city centre. You’ll pay a fraction of the price and still have easy train access to the canals.

Just be prepared: a beer in Amsterdam will cost you £7, but the journey there is cheaper than a train to Manchester. It’s a trade-off. You get the culture and the bikes, but your bar tab will mock you.

A Quick Reality Check

Before you go, remember: these cheap flights are often with budget airlines that charge for everything—bags, seats, and breathing. Pack a small backpack, bring your own snack, and you’ll still come out ahead. Yes, you might have to sit in a middle seat next to a screaming toddler, but that’s the price you pay for a £40 ticket.

Also, check the airport location. “Milan Bergamo” is not Milan; it’s a two-hour bus ride away. “Paris Beauvais” is basically in a farm field. But honestly, if you’re saving £70, you can deal with a bus ride and some cows. You’re a resourceful human, not a pampered cat.

So here’s my final advice: stop dreaming and start scrolling. That £35 flight to Eastern Europe is waiting. You’ll eat pierogi, drink cheap wine, and come home with a tan that screams “I got away with something.” And your bank account? It will thank you. Now go pack your bag, you cheap bastard.