Five stunning European holidays that are cheaper than a UK train fare – with £2 prosecco and stunning beaches

The Irish Sun

06-07-2025

WHEN it comes to booking a budget weekend break, you'd think heading somewhere in the UK would be the cheapest and easiest option.
However, with the
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Edinburgh is a great city, but it's not a cheap place to go for the weekend, especially with sky-high train prices
Credit: Getty
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Alice was planning a long weekend in Edinburgh with her friends, but ended up going to Bulgaria for five days for the same price as the train fare
Credit: Alice Penwill
Fares to Scottish City, Edinburgh, over the summer are an average £200 return from London.
Alice Penwill, a writer from Hertfordshire, was planning a girls weekend in Edinburgh when ticket prices stopped her in her tracks.
"We really wanted to
"Just the train fare alone was almost going to blow the budget. All the trains, even ones at obscure times of day, were over £200 per person.
Read more on budget holidays
"
It's no surprise. Train fares in England and Wales recently shot up by 4.6% and the cost of railcards has also increased.
The UK train network has a bad reputation with delays, cancellations and overcrowding, already testing the patience of paying passengers.
At the same time,
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So, for less than it costs to go away for the weekend by train, you could be drinking
Alice agrees. "In the end, we booked a holiday to Bulgaria. We got a package deal for £260, so with the transport and accommodation, we ended up paying less than we would have in Edinburgh, going away for five days instead of three.
"The cost of food and drink in Bulgaria is much cheaper too. A burger and chips on the beach was less than a Big Mac meal at McDonalds in the UK. It was a no-brainer".
Explore Tenerife with The Sun's Best of Beaches
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Rome is a surprisingly budget city, with plenty of people-watching, relaxed streets, cheap pasta and Prosecco for £2
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Amsterdam is a laid-back city with lots to see and plenty of lovely cafes and bars that won't bust the budget
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So, grab your passport. If you fancy a few days in the sun, here are five great deals to European cites you can nab now for less than the £200 return fare from London to Edinburgh.
Rome
Rome is one of the most interesting, romantic and historic cities in the world, so a cheap break here
A wander around this city is an attraction in itself, with historic sites such as the Colosseum, Vittoria and Pantheon, all
If you do want to go inside the Colosseum, the entry free is £15. Buy your tickets from an official seller in advance and jump the lengthy lines for tickets.
For lunch, grab a seat outside
Summer is a great time to visit Rome as every year there are free movie screenings in various locations around the city called
Pick up a £2 Prosecco from various hole-in-the-wall bars and find a spot in front of the screen. There are a range of films being shown this year, from old classics to new releases.
This deal is £30 less than a return to Edinburgh, and includes return flights on Ryanair from Manchester and two nights in a 3-star hotel with a rooftop pool, for £171 per person. Book with
Amsterdam
A stroll alongside
For one of the best free things to do in Amsterdam, head to Rijksmuseum, a museum with stunning gardens, sculptures and lots of pretty places to grab some shade.
Mexican tacos might not sound very Dutch, but the street food vendor,
This is a hot spot for a cheap bite during your visit - but prepare to queue as there is usually a line.
Stay two nights at the four-star Zaan Hotel, which has a delightfully Dutch exterior and is situated in the charming area of The Zaanse Schans.
This residential neighbourhood is lined with traditional wooden buildings that have been preserved for historical heritage. With this deal from
Barcelona
Laid back, foodie Barcelona is one of
The main areas are mostly pedestrianised with stunning architecture and historic landmarks easily viewed
Avoid La Rambla, which is always overrun with tourists and head to the Gothic Quarter.
If you want to venture inside but not pay the big tourist prices to enter landmarks like Sagrada Familia, step into La Catedral for free most mornings and marvel at the magnificent hand, sculpted interior.
Plus, Spain's tapas culture means you can snack on cheap small plates all day, with some bars offering
Here you will find cute cafes hidden in shady alleyways, locally-owned shops and stunning Medieval buildings, many of which are open and free for the public to pop in and have a peek.
A stay at the three-star Ramblas Hotel, right in the centre of the action, with return flights from Leeds Bradford are only £198 per person with
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You have to pay to enter major landmarks, like Sagrada Família, but Barcelona has beautiful architecture all over the city that you can admire for free
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Zante is one of the best budget options for the Greek islands, so look out for last-minute offers from companies like TUI and travelsupermarket.com
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Zante, Greek Islands
Zante has some
As well as white sand and crystal clear water, this beautiful bay has a huge, rusting shipwreck grounded in the middle of the beach.
Not your usual
Zakynthos Town is made up of winding, cobbled streets and hanging bougainvillea, making it as picture-perfect as the more boujee islands but with a budget price tag.
For example, local favourite, Ladolémono, in the town has a BBQ grill and outdoor tables serving huge chicken and salad gyros for £3.
This is a great deal! For the same as the fare to Edinburgh, this
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If you just want to get away, take advantage of Lanzarote's great weather and even better deals
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Lanzarote
The Canary Islands almost
For a day trip to see a more authentic side to the Canary Islands, you can get a 25-minute ferry to
There are no cars on the island but it's easy to explore.
The golden-sand beaches here are pristine. Make your way to Playa del Salado for lunch. The fresh seafood from tiny cafes that line the beach is probably better than Scotland's deep-fried Mars bar. Just.
For £20 less than the train to Edinburgh, you can stay three nights at the THB Flora Hotel in Puerto del Carmen, which has two pools and a family splash park.
Plus, it's a few minutes' walk from the beach and the old town harbour, which has a strip of cute tavernas and bars that become very lively from mid-afternoon. Book with