London is always abuzz with its old streets battered with the scampering of thousands of feet and its most famous sights unfailingly full of tourists. But, while it may be one of the most famous cities in the world, it’s also one of the biggest hubs, serving multiple flights from all continents, and naturally, it’s one of the most popular starting points (or ending points) for tours traveling through Europe.
Great deals, therefore, can be found on flights to amazing destinations, especially in neighboring European countries. If you’re planning to visit London, or maybe you’re unsure of where in Europe you should start your next tour, these are 15 of the cheapest places to fly to from London. Consider this your unofficial compass to guide where your next tour should be.
1. Oslo, Norway
- Typical flight price: from $29 (£23)
- Food: Picked herring, brown cheese, potato lefse, reindeer meat
- Drink: Aquavit, mjød
Norway’s Viking capital is also its center of stunning architectural creations and the heart of its modern culinary scene. There are many things to do in Oslo during your tour – the least of which is exploring Oslofjord – that you might have to extend your stay.
The sweet spot here is doing a mix of everything: seeing the architecture, eating the food, communing with nature, and learning about Viking history.
2. Stockholm, Sweden
- Typical flight price: from $40 (£32)
- Food: Raggmunk, Pyttipanna, räksmörgås, cinnamon roll
- Drink: Beer, brännvin, akvavit
You might be pleasantly surprised to find out, as your plane makes its final descent in Stockholm, that Sweden’s capital city is, in fact, made up of several islands and home to an archipelago well worth a boat excursion when visiting in summer. That alone hints at the many things you can see and do in the city, perfect for a long weekend.
As for the essentials? Stroll through the iconic Old Town, check out the subway where every station is a work of art, get your dose of Scandinavian design, visit the ABBA museum if you’re a pop history aficionado, and most definitely have ‘fika’, the Swedish tradition of a big cup of coffee and a pastry to go with it, preferably a Swedish classic like a cinnamon roll or a slice of decadent Princess-cake.
3. Dublin, Ireland
- Typical flight price: from $25 (£20)
- Food: Irish stew, cottage pie, bacon, and cabbage
- Drink: Guinness beer, Bailey’s, Irish cider
Dublin will set you up for idyllic explorations. Get ready for long-winded yet boisterous conversations with the friendly locals and for night-long drinking at pubs. It’s ripe with fascinating history and atmosphere for you to take in while gawking at its dramatic structures of Trinity College and Dublin Castle. Extend your weekend getaway to a two-week tour, as there are so many more things to see in the rest of the green isle with dramatic nature and cozy B&Bs. Trust us; you won’t regret a tour through Ireland.
4. Warsaw, Poland
- Typical flight price: from $35 (£28)
- Food: Zapiekanka, Pączek, Polskie naleśniki, pierogi
- Drink: Vodka, Czech beer
Get ready for heated discussions. The denizens of Poland’s intellectual capital love talking about everything under the sun (yes, including politics). A visit to Warsaw is a trip into history with its atmospheric Old Town and more modern downtown – you’ll come back feeling smarter and more cultured and with huge helpings of delicious food and many shots of vodka in your stomach.
5. Ibiza, Spain
- Typical flight price: from $100 (£81)
- Food: Ensalada Payesa, Sofrit Pages
- Drink: Vin Payes, Hierbas Ibicencas
If you need to unwind, at least for the weekend, then the stunning coast of Ibiza is the perfect place to let loose. Spend the day lounging by the pool with a cocktail in your hand, running at the beach, or going on a sailing tour through the islands, then enjoy the famous nightlife.
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
- Typical flight price: from $45 (£37)
- Food: Smørrebrød, Frikadeller
- Drink: Akvavit, Carlsberg beer
It’s one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the world, and it’s bike- and pedestrian-friendly as well. Whether you love theme parks (Tivoli in central Copenhagen is the oldest in the world), have a passion for arts and architecture, or you simply like to meander about an idyllic city, a tour through Copenhagen is calling out your name.
Visit Rosenborg Castle, a renaissance beauty in downtown, or the more recent Amalienborg Castle, home of the royal Danish family, where you can see the royal guards with their iconic bear fur hats.
See all tours to the Nordics and Scandinavia…
7. Baden-Baden, Germany
- Typical flight price: from $37 (£30)
- Food: Rehrücken Baden-Baden (Roe deer roast), Kirschenmichel
- Drink: Spätburgunder or Grauburgunder from the Baden wine region
The pretty spa town in the northwestern section of the Black Forest oozes with charm, with its 19th-century storybook architecture, Roman bath ruins, fountains, and gardens all nestled in a verdant valley. A quick weekend getaway or a short multi-day tour for cosseting in one of its spas is just the ticket here, and maybe even a cycling tour through Schwarzwald.
8. Cologne, Germany
- Typical flight price: from $37 (£30)
- Food: Himmel un Ääd, Schweinshaxe
- Drink: Kölsch beer
Set on the banks of the Rhine, the city of Cologne is one of Germany’s most picturesque cities. It’s a mixture of the appealingly old and the modern, the skyline dominated by the Gothic spires of the Cologne Cathedral. It’s a city for admiring art and architecture, but it’s also for indulging: in chocolate, in beer, in river cruises under the stars.
9. Madrid, Spain
- Typical flight price: from $60 (£48)
- Food: Cocido Madrileño, Churros con Chocolate, Callos a la Madrileña
- Drink: Tinto de verano
While travelers flock to good ol’ Barcelona, many discerning visitors prefer the less Gaudi-adorned streets of Madrid for its more urbane and sophisticated air. See its busy squares and affluent neighborhoods, admire its sophisticated architecture, shop at its outdoor markets, and then go on a tapas and drink bonanza in this colorful metropolis.
10. Carcassonne, France
- Typical flight price: from $37 (£30)
- Food: Cassoulet
- Drink: Local wine
Combine French medieval history and exquisite wine in Carcassonne, an hour’s drive southeast of Toulouse in Southern France. Its stunning wall city, set atop a hill, is famous the world over and is the venue for many explorations. But take to the Lower City as well, sample the marvelous reds made in the area, and indulge in the local cuisine.
11. Bordeaux, France
- Typical flight price: from $45 (£36)
- Food: Agneau de Pauillac, Canelé de Bordeaux, Magret de Canard
- Drink: Bordeaux wine
The center of one of France’s most famous wine regions is hardly a secret. Bordeaux, whose historical part has made it to the UNESCO World Heritage list, is full of grand architecture, delicious food, and of course, glorious wine. Go around by bike, as it is one of Europe’s most bike-friendly cities, and indulge. And do carve out time to photograph Place de la Bourse during your tour.
12. Milan, Italy
- Typical flight price: from $27 (£22)
- Food: Risotto alla Milanese, Cotoletta alla Milanese, Cannoncino, Ossobuco alla Milanese
- Drink: Aperitivo
Whether you’re visiting for the exquisite art and stunning architecture— Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, for example—or you’re partaking in la vita moda, Italy’s cosmopolitan city is a place you mustn’t miss out on. Visit its many galleries, and admire its Medieval and Renaissance structures, then do some retail therapy, indulging in delicious food in between.
13. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- Typical flight price: from $37 (£xx)
- Food: F’rell Am Rèisleck, Bouneschlupp, Gromperekichelcher, Paschtéit
- Drink: Luxembourg wine, crémants, viz
The heart of the European country sandwiched by Belgium, Germany, and France, Luxembourg City is a hodgepodge of cultures, architecture, and cuisines. Take a languid pace but allot some time; the country may be small, but there’s much to do. Visit the Museum of Modern Art, hosted in the reconstructed Fort Thüngen, to get both history and modernity in one blow. Once you’ve had your fill of the city, head to the town of Vianden for a feast for the eyes.
14. Brno, Czech Republic
- Typical flight price: from $35 (£28)
- Food: Traditional Czech dishes
- Drink: Vodka, Starobrno beer, kofola
Brno’s red-roofed city has often been where people retreat to when they need a break from Prague’s busy streets. This city, almost halfway between Prague and Vienna, might be calmer, but it also holds its own, thanks to its large student population that help bring in innovation and creativity.
See all tours to the Czech Republic…
15. Basel, Switzerland
- Typical flight price: from $55 (£44)
- Food: Basler Leckerli, raclette, rösti
- Drink: Swiss wine
Set along the Rhine at the point where Switzerland meets Germany and France, Basel isn’t just another pretty face. It’s also an amalgamation of cultures and a hub for arts and architecture, drawing in travelers with more discerning tastes. There’s much to do here than just rambling about visiting its many, many museums to start.
So, are you ready to explore the best of Europe? Take a look at the most popular tours in Europe starting and ending in London.
