Top Budget Weekend Getaways from Manchester and Birmingham Airports
You do not need to travel to London for a cheap European weekend. Manchester and Birmingham airports serve dozens of short-haul city destinations, with new routes for winter 2026/27. Here is how to choose, plus the airport fees and security rules to know before you go.
Sumcraft Editorial Team
Sumcraft
Checked on 15 October 2026. Routes and schedules change between seasons, and some routes run only on certain days. Check the airline's schedule for your dates before planning a trip.
Why fly from a regional airport
For anyone living in the north of England or the Midlands, starting from Manchester (MAN) or Birmingham (BHX) saves the time and cost of travelling to London. That can mean a later start, no overnight stay before an early flight, and more of the weekend spent at your destination.
What makes a budget weekend destination
- A flight of about two to three hours, so you arrive with most of the day left.
- A cheap and fast airport transfer.
- Low day-to-day costs for food, drink and transport.
- A compact centre you can explore on foot.
Central and Eastern Europe score well on all four, which is why it dominates the regional airports' city-break schedules.
From Manchester
Manchester Airport lists 24 destinations in Eastern Europe with direct flights, including Kraków, Gdańsk, Prague, Bratislava, Riga and Budapest. For winter 2026/27, Jet2 has added Berlin from Manchester.
| Destination | Why go for a weekend | Airport transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Kraków | Medieval old town, Kazimierz, day trips to Wieliczka or Auschwitz-Birkenau | Train or bus to the centre |
| Gdańsk | Colourful old town, Baltic coast, low prices | Train or bus |
| Prague | Old Town, castle district, beer halls | Trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín (about 15 minutes), then metro |
| Budapest | Thermal baths, Danube views, ruin bars | 100E airport bus, about 40 minutes |
| Riga | Art nouveau architecture, central market | Bus to the centre |
| Bratislava | Small, walkable, an easy day trip to Vienna | Bus to the centre |
| Berlin (Jet2, winter 2026/27) | Museums, history, nightlife | FEX airport express, about 23 minutes (ABC ticket) |
Transfer details from Prague's transport operator (DPP), BKK in Budapest and Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
From Birmingham
Birmingham's winter 2026/27 schedule includes several new options for weekend breaks. Ryanair has announced new routes from Birmingham to Copenhagen, Rome, Marrakech, Tirana and Warsaw Modlin, and Jet2 is adding Copenhagen. See Birmingham Airport's destinations page for the current list.
| Destination | Why go for a weekend | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | Design, harbour, Tivoli Gardens | Fast metro from the airport; expensive once there |
| Rome | Ancient sites and food | Leonardo Express to Termini in 32 minutes, €14 |
| Marrakech | Souks, riads, warm winter sun | Outside Europe; see entry rules below |
| Tirana | Low prices, a fast-changing capital | Less tourist infrastructure than older destinations |
| Warsaw (Modlin) | Rebuilt old town, museums | Modlin is outside the city: allow time for the transfer |
| Barcelona | Beach and city | Aerobús to the centre in about 35 minutes |
Christmas market weekends
Jet2 is running a Christmas markets programme from Birmingham for winter 2026/27, with destinations including Budapest, Cologne, Copenhagen, Gdańsk, Kraków, Prague, Tallinn and Vienna. Markets typically run from late November to just before Christmas. Weekend dates in December sell out and get expensive, so book early, or go midweek.
Getting to the airport: costs to budget for
| Manchester (MAN) | Birmingham (BHX) | |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-off charge | £5.50 for up to 5 minutes at Terminal 2 | First 10 minutes free, then £7 |
| By train | About 20 minutes to Manchester Piccadilly | Air-Rail Link (about 2 minutes) to Birmingham International; about 10 minutes to Birmingham New Street |
| Liquids at security | 100 ml limit still applies | Check the airport's security page |
| Sources | MAN drop-off, MAN by train, MAN security | BHX drop-off, BHX security |
Which? has reported that Birmingham allows containers up to 2 litres with its new scanners, but rules can change and your return airport may still apply 100 ml. If in doubt, pack to 100 ml. Our cabin bag guide explains how to fit a weekend into the free under-seat allowance.
Entry rules
- EU destinations (Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Germany, Denmark, Italy and others): your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for 3 months after you leave. The EU's Entry/Exit System means fingerprints and a photo are taken on your first visit. See GOV.UK's guidance on travelling to the EU.
- Morocco: British citizens can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. Check GOV.UK's Morocco entry requirements.
- Albania: check the FCDO travel advice for Albania before booking.
Tips for a cheaper weekend
- Fly Friday evening and return Monday morning if you can, to get two full days. Midweek departures are often cheaper still.
- Travel with only the free cabin bag to avoid add-on fees.
- Use public transport from the airport rather than taxis.
- Pay in the local currency when a card machine offers to convert to pounds; dynamic currency conversion usually costs more.
- Buy travel insurance when you book. See our British guide to travel insurance.
Starting from London instead? Compare our 3-day European city breaks from London.