Despite it being a difficult time geopolitically, with flight prices seemingly at an all-time high, there are plenty of deals still to be had. Europe, in particular, offers an impressive range of affordable city breaks that promise enticing new destinations and countless opportunities to explore and understand a new culture.
But where’s best for a European city break without breaking the bank?
Thankfully, the Post Office continues to count the pennies for us, with its latest Post Office City Costs Barometer highlighting the destinations where we’re guaranteed more bang for our buck.
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The Post Office’s annual survey measures a variety of factors sure to affect travellers’ bank balances. This year, the items surveyed were: two nights’ three-star weekend accommodation, a three-course meal for two with a bottle of house wine, a cup of coffee, a bottle of beer and Coca Cola, a glass of wine, return airport transfers, a 48-hour travel card, a sightseeing bus tour, a top heritage attraction, a top museum and a top art gallery.
Two-night accommodation prices were sourced from Hotels.com and based on an average of the 10 cheapest available three-star city centre accommodation for two adults sharing a double/twin ensuite room between 5 – 7 June 2026, with prices rounded up or down to the nearest pound.
Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office, said, “The low prices we found in Lille and Strasbourg make them compelling choices for British holidaymakers who want to take a short break in Europe but prefer the idea of surface rather than air travel this year. There are excellent direct Eurostar options to Lille, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, while several other cities can be reached by a combination of Eurostar and high-speed local services. Interestingly, our research found that Lille and Strasbourg are now less expensive than past champions Athens and Lisbon.”
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