With many British travellers flocking to the same European destinations each summer, it often pays to choose an alternative destination that provide a similar atmosphere at a fraction of the cost.
And with the average Brit dropping £253 on flights for a holiday in Europe, even the day of the week you fly can make all the difference when it comes to the price.
In its 2026 Smarter Summer Report, Skyscanner has revealed 10 leading destinations that offer the same sunshine, scenery and city energy as popular, more expensive hotspots - but with lower costs and smaller crowds.
Taking the lead with an average seat price of £72 is Dortmund, the ninth-largest city in Germany, known for its culture - namely Borussia Dortmund, its premier league football team, art scene, Art Nouveau architecture, and beer production.
A round-trip from Luton to Dortmund costs £62 with Wizz Air when flying during the cheapest week for travel (w/c 7th July), with flights for a three-night break taking one hour and 20 minutes.
Fast forward to w/c 3rd August and prices increase by more than £200, with Wizz Air fares rocketing up to £284.
And while the w/c 7th July is the cheapest week to fly this summer, Saturday is surprisingly named the least expensive day of the week to travel.
On 4th July, Wizz Air flights to Dortmund from Luton are £31, but they're £86 the next day, giving travellers a saving of more than £50 simply by flying a day earlier.
The cheapest destination to fly to this summer is Dortmund, with flight costs averaging £62 during the cheapest week of the year for travel in July.
Cork in Ireland comes second, offering average seat prices of £83.
The second-cheapest city on the list is Cork, which offers £83 flights.
Holidaymakers in this Irish city will experience wild peninsulas, intriguing islands, the former prison fortress of Spike Island and Cork's own version of stout, named Murphy's.
Luxemburg places third with an average seat price of £86 - an alternative to Europe's most popular hubs with its placement between Belgium, France and Germany.
In fourth place with an average seat price of £89 is Castellon de la Plana, in Spain.
Situated north of Valencia, it offers sandy beaches, chic beach clubs, vast vineyards and plenty of parks.
Rounding out the top five is Baden-Baden in Germany. With £89 flights and its location to the breathtaking Black Forest, the spa town was known as the 'Summer Capital of Europe', offering wellness oases, historic architecture and lush nature.
In sixth place is Eindhoven in The Netherlands (£94 flights), followed by Italy's Turin in seventh (£102 flights), and Germany's Cologne in eighth (£114 flights).
Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, places ninth, boasting £123 flights, and rounding out the top ten is Trapani in Italy, with £125 flights, crystal clear sea, and breathtaking islands.
Luxemburg places third with an average seat price of £86 - an alternative to Europe's most popular hubs with its placement between Belgium, France and Germany.
| Destination | Average Seat Price (Skyscanner) |
|---|---|
| Dortmund, Germany | £72 |
| Cork, Ireland | £83 |
| Luxembourg | £86 |
| Castellon de la Plana, Spain | £89 |
| Baden-Baden, Germany | £89 |
| Eindhoven, Netherlands | £94 |
| Turin, Italy | £102 |
| Cologne, Germany | £114 |
| Jersey | £123 |
| Trapani, Italy | £125 |
Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner Travel Expert, commented: 'Summer holidays are special, but for many travellers still looking to book, the planning side requires more thought than ever.
'That's why this year's Smarter Summer Report is designed to help people make more confident choices on when and where to travel, using Skyscanner's proprietary data to highlight smarter timings, better-value options and alternative destinations.
'In a more changeable travel environment, checking live prices and staying flexible on where and when you travel can go a long way when it comes to finding better value.
'More importantly, travellers should stay informed and check the latest travel advice before booking.'