The study, conducted by travel insurance experts Forbes Advisor, analysed the cost of a two-day trip for two people from the UK to each European capital city across various cost of living websites. This included the average price for return flights for two people, two nights' accommodation, two days' worth of excursions, a taxi for the entire vacation, and meals out as well as alcohol.
In Warsaw, couples can expect to spend GBP426 on a weekend away, making Poland’s capital the most affordable city to visit. When broken down, couples are looking at spending an average of GBP242 on return flights, while a taxi for the two days would only cost GBP5. Excursions are budget-friendly, starting from only GBP8. Couples who wish to dine out during their holiday would only need to spend GBP34 on meals and GBP12 on alcohol, making Warsaw a great option for couples looking for a weekend getaway that’s easy on their bank balance.
In second place is Sofia in Bulgaria, where the average cost for a couple’s getaway is GBP432. Vilnius ranks in third place with an average cost of GBP 465 for a two-day break for two people.
Skopje in North Macedonia is fourth on this list, with an average cost of GBP511, the first country on this listing to cost more than GBP 500 for a two-day break for two.
Belgrade in Serbia will appeal to foodies looking for a short break on a budget, as the cost of meals out for the two days is even lower than Warsaw, at just GBP12. Accommodation is also wallet-friendly, at only GBP78 for two days. However, the higher cost of flights, at GBP392 and alcohol at GBP26, means that Serbia’s largest city ranks fifth on this list.
Prague in the Czech Republic is the sixth most affordable city for couples on a short break, while Podgorica in Montenegro is seventh, costing couples GBP523 and GBP528 respectively for the whole holiday.
In eighth place is Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where couples can expect to spend GBP538 to stay and explore the city for a short holiday.
In ninth place is Riga, the capital of Latvia, with couples looking to spend GBP 550 on a short break away. When broken down, return flights from London to Riga for two cost GBP282 and daily excursions only cost couples GBP20. At GBP561, only GBP11 more expensive, is Bucharest in Romania, which ranks 10th.
A notable city to mention is London, mostly because UK visitors don’t have to worry about the cost of flights. However, the accommodation is much pricier at GBP362 (more expensive than any other entry in the top 10), pushing the average cost of a two-day stay in the city to GBP538.
Bern in Switzerland is the most expensive European capital to travel to, costing a couple GBP1,128 for a short stay. The city that has the highest rate for return flights is Nicosia in Cyprus, with two return tickets costing GBP570 and the most expensive city for alcohol turned out to be Monaco, where drinks for two people over two days cost GBP82.
