Families yet to book their summer holiday have been plunged into uncertainty in the past two months due to the conflict in Iran.
Rumours of fuel shortages within six weeks and subsequent price rises have made many Britons think twice about booking a June or July trip.
But there are still affordable holiday destinations for the more than one in four of us that are still hunting for our summer getaway, new research reveals.
That’s according to flight comparison website Skyscanner, which has analysed all destinations to find those with the cheapest fares.
Families can fly to anyone of the top ten cheapest spots on its for less than £125 per person, far lower than the £253 travellers expect to spend for their air tickets.
However, you may need to set aside any hopes of jetting off to Paris or Rome and settle for an alternative destination to snap up a bargain deal.
German city Dortmund has more to offer than it’s football team – and a return is just £72
Dortmund in Germany is top of the list with an average economy seat price across all airlines of £72.
The city is best known for being the home of the Borussia Dortmund football team, but it’s also perfect for those wanting green spaces and history.
A hotel room can be snapped up from as low as £40 a night, on average, rising to £109 at certain times of the year.
Cork, the second-biggest city in the Republic of Ireland, is in second spot with flights available from £83 per person.
It’s the perfect spot for families who want to visit Ireland, but are looking for somewhere a little more relaxed than the capital. You’ll still be in a vibrant city but close to stunning scenery too.
Read More
Bookings boom for British staycations this summer
Hotels are a little more expensive, however. The cheapest month for hotels in Cork is November with a average nightly rates of £127, but this rises to a peak of £232 a night in September, according to comparison website Kayak.
Luxembourg is in the bronze spot as it will cost an average of £86 to fly into Luxembourg City.
All average prices are based on travel between June 31 and August 31. The figures are based on prices as they stood from January to March 2026
This means that the full extent of the price hikes in the past few weeks won’t be reflected in the fares, but some of the increases seen when the conflict first started will be underscored in the prices.
There are also classic locations on this list like Castellon de la Plana in Spain – a city just an hour’s drive away from Valencia – for an average of £89 or Turin in Italy for £102.
Making up the rest of the top flight list is Baden-Baden in Germany for £89; Eindhoven in the Netherlands for £94; Cologne in Germany for £114; Jersey for £123; and Trapani in Italy for £125.
If you’re wanting to keep costs to a minimum, look to fly on a Friday or in the week commencing June 29, as these are the cheapest, say the experts at Skyscanner.
What about a destination you’ve never heard of?
If these sunny spots aren’t piquing your interest, maybe try an alternative ‘hidden gem’ destination.
A smattering of under-the-radar destinations are also offering up affordable fares, according to Skyscanner, which analysed the places with the least search interest.
Take Turku in Finland, for example. It’s a small city with plenty to offer for a couple looking for a getaway.
You’ll be able to enjoy dinners on cobblestone streets and visit the cathedral to see a royal tomb.
But it’s also reasonably priced. Return flights can be snapped up for as little as £80 while a room at the Radisson Blu hotel is from £178 per night.
Kalymnos is a perfect alternative to busy Kos or Crete as it’s one of this year’s ‘hidden gems’
Thunder Bay, Canada, is another quirky place that’s ideal for anyone looking for an affordable long-haul trip. It’s perfect for outdoorsy families who want to hike and sail.
Return flights are as little as £305 per person while a night in the Lux Suites is from £154.
In bronze spot is Croton, a port city in Southern Italy, where the lowest fares are £62 per person and a room in the Palazzo Foti is from £115 per night.
Travellers who don’t want to deal with overcrowded Grecian islands such as Crete or Milos can choose Kalymnos, Ioannina or Astypalaia instead, all of which feature in the top 10 under the radar places.
Flights can be snapped up from as little as £181, £155 and £125 per person, respectively.
Pico in Portugal, Clermont-Ferrand in France, Kiruna in Sweden and Cordoba in Argentina make up the rest of the top 10 hidden gem spots, according to Skyscanner.
SAVE MONEY, MAKE MONEY
Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Terms and conditions apply on all offers.
