The Top 10 Cheapest Holiday Destinations Abroad

Updated 10th June 2026

Holiday costs have risen significantly in recent years, with flights, accommodation, and everyday travel expenses putting increasing pressure on holiday budgets. However, choosing the right destination can make a substantial difference to the overall cost of your trip.

In this guide, we've compared the cost of a short break across popular European destinations to find the 10 cheapest holidays in 2026. We'll also explain what's driving holiday prices higher and share practical ways to save on accommodation, transport, activities, and everyday spending while you're away.

Why Is Going on Holiday Expensive

Finding an affordable holiday has become more challenging in recent years, particularly across Europe. While flights and accommodation often take the blame, several factors contribute to rising travel costs. Understanding what drives prices can help you identify destinations that offer better value for money.

How Does Mass Tourism Affect Prices

The most popular destinations attract millions of visitors every year. Cities such as Barcelona, Rome, and Santorini see particularly high demand during the summer months, when many travellers seek warm weather and coastal scenery.

When demand increases, prices follow. Hotels, holiday rentals, and package holidays often become significantly more expensive during peak season, especially in July and August. In many destinations, the same accommodation can cost substantially less during the shoulder season or winter months.

This is one of the main reasons why travelling outside school holidays can lead to major savings. Destinations heavily affected by overtourism typically see the largest seasonal price increases.

How Are Flight and Accommodation Prices Determined

Flight and accommodation prices are rarely fixed. Airlines, hotels, and booking platforms use dynamic pricing systems that adjust rates based on demand and availability.

For flights, prices are influenced by factors such as:

• when you book
• how many seats have already been sold
• the time of year you plan to travel
• whether your travel dates coincide with school holidays, bank holidays, or major events

Accommodation providers follow a similar approach. Room rates can increase dramatically as occupancy rises, particularly in popular destinations during peak travel periods.

In general:

• booking early can help secure lower prices
• high-demand destinations tend to be more expensive
• prices usually rise as availability becomes more limited

On-Site Cost of Living

Transport and accommodation are only part of the overall holiday budget. Once you arrive, the local cost of living can significantly affect how much you spend.

Food, public transport, attractions, and everyday expenses vary considerably between destinations. For example, a city break in London will typically cost more than a similar trip to many other U.K. or European cities, largely because of higher restaurant, transport, and entertainment costs. According to Numbeo, a mid-range two-person meal in London costs £80 on average, against £72.50 in Liverpool. The same goes for local transport, with a one-way ticket costing, on average, £3 and £2, respectively.

When comparing holiday destinations, it is worth looking beyond the headline cost of flights and hotels. The main on-the-ground expenses often include:

• meals and drinks
• local transport
• sightseeing and attractions
• shopping and unexpected purchases

In some heavily visited tourist destinations, prices are also geared towards international visitors, making restaurants, attractions, and services more expensive than the national average.

Other Factors

Several less obvious costs can make holidays more expensive than expected:

• Seasonality: Prices tend to rise sharply during summer holidays, half terms, and other peak travel periods.
• Location: Accommodation in city centres, beachfront areas, and major tourist districts usually comes at a premium.
• Additional fees: Airline baggage charges, booking fees, local tourist taxes, airport transfers, and resort fees can quickly add up.
• Late booking: Leaving arrangements until the last minute often means fewer options and higher prices.

These extra costs may seem small individually, but together they can significantly increase the total cost of a holiday. For travellers looking to stretch their budget further, choosing less crowded destinations, travelling outside peak season, and planning ahead can make a noticeable difference.

Where is the Cheapest Place to go on Holiday

Looking to jet off and enjoy a long weekend away soaking in some new culture, a spot of history and, of course, some local cuisine? We've looked at cheap holidays abroad for those short but sweet breaks.

To find the cheapest holiday destinations abroad, we sourced a list of cheap destinations to travel to. From here, we took a look at the average return flight cost, average nightly hotel price, average cheap meal price, average mid-range meal price, average beer price and average coffee price. The total cost was made from the assumption of a holiday being three days (two nights), five cheap meals, one mid-range meal, three beers and six coffees.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava offers one of the most affordable capital city breaks in Europe. Its compact Old Town, walkable attractions, and lower accommodation costs make it a practical choice for travellers looking to keep spending under control.

Cheap and free things to do in Bratislava

Most of Bratislava's highlights can be explored on foot in a single weekend, helping visitors save on transport costs while still seeing the city's main landmarks.

Sarajevo, Bosnia

Sarajevo combines low-cost flights with one of the most affordable city-break budgets in Europe. Accommodation, dining, and local transport are typically much cheaper than in many Western European capitals, making it a good option for travellers looking to maximise their spending power.

Cheap and free things to do in Sarajevo

Many of Sarajevo's best-known attractions are either free or cost less than £10 to visit, making it possible to enjoy a full long weekend without spending heavily on sightseeing.

Krakow, Poland

Kraków remains one of Europe's best-value city breaks, combining affordable accommodation, reasonably priced dining, and a compact city centre that can largely be explored on foot. Many of the city's most popular attractions are either free or relatively inexpensive compared to those in other major European destinations.

Cheap and free things to do in Krakow

A budget-friendly itinerary is easy to build around Kraków's historic centre, parks, churches, and castle complex, many of which can be enjoyed without paying an entrance fee.

How to find cheap holiday destinations

Saving money on your holiday is rarely about one trick. Instead, it comes down to making smart choices at every stage of the booking process. By choosing the right destination, booking at the right time, and using the right tools, you can significantly reduce the overall cost of your trip without compromising on the experience.

How to Find Cheap Holiday Accommodation

Accommodation is often the biggest holiday expense, but it is also one of the easiest areas to save money. A few simple strategies can help you find better deals and avoid paying peak prices.

Consider the following:

• compare prices across multiple booking platforms before making a reservation
• stay slightly outside the city centre or main tourist areas
• book flexible rates with free cancellation and monitor prices afterwards
• avoid the most heavily visited tourist districts where possible

Joining hotel and accommodation loyalty programmes can also unlock valuable discounts. For example, Booking.com's Genius programme offers members discounts on selected properties, alongside additional perks such as free room upgrades or complimentary breakfast at participating hotels.

You can also browse Savoo's hotel and accommodation deals for the latest discount codes and offers from brands including Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Travelodge.

How to Find Cheap Flights and Transports

The cost of flights, trains, and coaches can vary dramatically depending on when you book and when you travel. Fare comparison tools make it easier to spot price differences and identify the most affordable travel dates.

In general, midweek departures and off-peak travel times tend to be cheaper than weekends and school holiday periods.

To reduce your transport costs:

• compare fares using platforms such as Kayak and Skyscanner
• book short-haul flights several weeks in advance where possible
• avoid travelling during school holidays and bank holiday weekends
• remain flexible with your travel dates, departure times, and airports

For some destinations, combining different forms of transport can also reduce costs. For example, flying into a nearby city and completing the journey by train may be cheaper than travelling directly.

Have a look at Savoo's budget airline fees guide to get more tips on how to find the best prices on your flights.

Anticipate the On-Site Cost of Living

The cheapest flight does not always lead to the cheapest holiday. Daily expenses such as food, transport, and entertainment can vary considerably between destinations.

Cities such as Zurich, Oslo, and London consistently rank among Europe's more expensive destinations, while places such as Porto, Seville, and Tirana often offer better value for travellers looking to keep costs down.

To manage your spending while away:

• avoid restaurants and cafés that are heavily promoted on social media and located in tourist hotspots
• buy some groceries instead of eating every meal out
• choose local transport passes where available
• look for restaurant offers and dining discounts through platforms such as Groupon and TheFork

Researching local prices before you book can help you build a more accurate holiday budget and avoid unexpected costs.

How to Save on Holiday Activities

Activities can account for a large share of holiday spending, especially in popular city break destinations where attraction tickets and guided tours can be expensive.

To keep costs under control:

• book popular attractions in advance to access early booking discounts
• take advantage of free museums and free admission days
• explore parks, beaches, walking routes, and other outdoor attractions
• limit organised excursions where independent alternatives are available
• use sightseeing passes and bundled attraction tickets from providers such as Go City

Many of the best travel experiences cost little or nothing. Historic neighbourhoods, local markets, scenic viewpoints, beaches, hiking trails, and cultural events can often provide memorable experiences without stretching your budget.