As winter rolls on, without the excitement of Christmas to sustain us, getting to spring can feel a lifetime away.
In short, there’s no better time to plan a 2026 getaway. But where? With budgets increasingly stretched thin, finding a place that balances relaxation with affordability is proving an increasingly hard challenge.
In fact, a recent survey found that whilst 64% of Brits are planning to head abroad in 2026, only 38% have actually booked their flights, citing destination indecision and concerns over cost as a massive biggest booking barrier.
Just as well Skyscanner has us sorted, then. The flight aggregator has crunched some numbers and found that, while 62 per cent of Brits think their return flights are going to cost more than £150 this year, there are some destinations that don’t break the bank – and there are ten which offer average return flight prices of less than £136.
It’s also just launched a cheap destination planner to help people discover those places for themselves. The planner collates the cheapest places to travel for every month, including the average flight price and cheapest day to travel: Tirana in February costs only £73 for a return, while the Dolomites in May is only £103. Not bad.
The last bit of good news? According to Skyscanner’s research, the cheapest day to travel is actually a Friday. One more reason to book those flights!
The top 10 cheapest destinations to book for 2026:
Lyon, France
This foodie hotspot has traditional restaurants, gorgeous markets and fine dining, as well as ancient Roman ruins, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Viex Lyon. Even better, the average return flight price starts from £105. Not bad.
Milan, Italy
The Italian city known for its fashion, art, and design. It’s also the perfect starting point to explore the Italian Alps and visit the gem that is the Dolomites. Return flights average out at £111.
Madrid, Spain
The capital of Spain is bursting with old winding streets, three of the world’s most prestigious arts museums and little corner restaurants selling paella and tapas. Return flights average out at £114.
Copenhagen, Denmark
People think Denmark is expensive, but getting to its capital has never been cheaper: head over for £117 to enjoy its cool Scandi design, architecture and bikeable canals.
Prague, Czechia
Prague’s fairytale streets and elaborate bridges pair nicely with its affordable beers, sweet restaurants and beautiful historic architecture. Even better, flights average out at £122.
Berlin, Germany
This city still bears the scars of its turbulent history, but today is a thriving place with a buzzing techno scene, vibrant modern art and iconic landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate. Flights cost around £128 on average.
Bucharest, Romania
The elegant streets of Bucharest have given it the nickname of ‘Little Paris’, but there’s lots else to enjoy here too. Stretch out in the city’s parks, taste its delicious street food and venture out to the iconic district of Transylvania, all for £128.
Agadir, Morocco
The warm, relaxed vibe of beachside Agadir make it an excellent winter getaway. Surf in the morning, explore the souks in the afternoon and venture out to swim in the natural pools of Paradise Valley. With flights at around £130, you can’t complain.
Venice, Italy
The city that needs no introduction. Despite being a hotspot for tourists, Venice is surprisingly affordable to get to, with flights from £134. Explore their canals, bridges and winding streets, catch a vaporetto to the island of Murano and sip a glass of red wine at St Mark’s Square.
Tromsø, Norway
Flights to the city of the midnight sun average out at £136, and it’s worth it: head out on an arctic fishing trip, feed the reindeer or enjoy Norway’s stunning scenery, and Northern Lights, in frosty peace.
