Low-cost connections
The good news about getting to our new eastern EU partners is that over a dozen low-cost airlines serve the countries of Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
Even on scheduled airlines, the news is positive. British Airways flies to many of these destinations at a fraction of the price it charged a few years ago, and other scheduled airlines also have special deals from time to time.
For the most popular routes, carriers such as easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air now link UK airports directly with Prague, Budapest, Krakow, Riga and Tallinn, often for less than the cost of a train fare across Britain. Booking well in advance and travelling midweek remains the surest way to secure the lowest fares, while a little flexibility over which regional airport you fly from can shave off a good deal more.
Once you arrive, the value continues. The eastern European capitals are among the most affordable city-break destinations on the continent, where a comfortable hotel, good restaurant meals and museum entry cost a fraction of what you would pay in Paris or Rome. Compact historic centres mean most sights are within walking distance, so there is little need for taxis or car hire.
It pays to check whether you need to arrange airport transfers in advance, as some budget routes land at secondary airports a little way from the city. Beyond that, the main decision is simply where to go first, with each of these capitals offering its own blend of grand architecture, lively cafe culture and a genuinely warm welcome for visitors.
