Holidaymakers across the UK are facing significant disruptions as budget airline Ryanair continues its sweeping cuts to flights across Europe. Travel specialists are now urging passengers to consider alternative destinations that offer a similar atmosphere to popular spots, but often with fewer crowds and better value.
Significant Flight Reductions Across Europe
The scale of the cuts is substantial. Experts at MoneySuperMarket warn that the low-cost carrier has already scrapped a staggering two million seats across Spain, impacting airports such as Tenerife North, Santiago, and Jerez. Furthermore, all flights to French airports, including Brive, Bergerac, and Strasbourg, have been cancelled for the upcoming winter season.
German travellers are also affected, with Memmingen Airport set to lose 27 flights per week this winter. Berlin will face 76 flight reductions in January alone, and Cologne is expected to see 44 fewer departures. In a more recent announcement, the Irish airline confirmed it will cease all flights to and from the Azores, Portugal's mid-Atlantic archipelago, from March 29th next year. The decision was attributed to rising Air Traffic Control charges, a new €2 travel tax, and high airport fees.
Expert Recommendations for Alternative Getaways
Alicia Hempsted, a travel insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, commented on the situation. 'If news of Ryanair withdrawing some routes has left your holiday plans up in the air, it's worth exploring alternative destinations that offer similar cultural experiences,' she said. 'There are a range of destinations across Europe that are easily accessible by budget airlines, offering unique cultural attractions that can make for an amazing trip despite the change in plans.'
With further cuts anticipated in 2026, making some locations less viable for budget carriers, here are three alternative European spots recommended by the experts.
Swap Bergerac, France for Carcassonne, France
For those still planning to fly with Ryanair, the fortified medieval city of Carcassonne serves as an ideal replacement for Bergerac. It shares a similar charm with its historic fortress, cobbled streets, and impressive local wine and food scene. For an even closer match in ambiance, the picturesque village of Alet-les-Bains is just an hour's drive away, featuring half-timbered houses and the ruins of a 9th-century abbey-cathedral.
Swap Strasbourg, France for Monschau, Germany
Travellers missing the charm of Strasbourg should consider Monschau. This German town offers a strikingly similar ambience with strong medieval roots. Visitors can reach the historic old town by flying into Cologne and taking a train into the Eifel region. Monschau's timber-framed buildings, narrow lanes, and riverside setting replicate the aesthetic of Strasbourg, and its winter Christmas markets provide the same magical festive feel.
Swap Brive, France for Krakow, Poland
While Brive is popular for its markets and artisanal food, Krakow presents a fantastic alternative. The Polish city boasts a beautifully preserved medieval centre, lively market squares, rich museum collections, and dozens of contemporary food spots and bars. Krakow's craft vodka scene mirrors the artisanal distilleries that visitors flock to in Brive, and it remains an easily accessible city from many UK airports.
