We’ve all been there. A little voice whispers to us, “You need a holiday.” It’s an urgent, guttural plea that comes with a side-helping of existential angst. It’s the moment we realise our lives have become a bleak parade of desk-bound drudgery and the unceasing hum of the washing machine. It’s at this juncture that a short break, a swift, glorious hit of something new, becomes a necessity.
A budget-friendly, two-day escape to a foreign city? Yes, please. After all, the cost of a flight these days can be less than a weekly shop, which, when you think about it, is a genuine testament to the peculiar logic of modern economics.
With the popularity of budget airlines, smart planning with hotel & restaurant costs can make short breaks & city stops highly affordable.
So take a look at our short-break budgets for flights, hotels & restaurants in a variety of European and Asian cities and locations.
Asia: Where We Find Our Zen (& Incredible Bargains)
We once believed Asia was a playground for long-haul adventurers with pockets deep enough to rival a sunken treasure chest.
But we were wrong. So, so wrong. The advent of budget airlines has turned the world into our oyster, and Asia is no exception.
Suddenly, a weekend away isn’t just a flight of fancy; it’s a genuine option.
The Maldives 🌴🏖️ A Postcard You Can Actually Visit
You’ve seen the pictures. The overwater bungalows, the cerulean sea, the smug, sun-kissed couples. It seems unobtainable, a faraway dream for the lottery winners among us.
But what if we told you there are cunning ways to visit this paradise without selling a kidney? We’re talking:
Hong Kong 🏙️🌆 A City That Never Sleeps (& Neither Will We)
A city that moves at the speed of light, it’s an assault on the senses in the most intoxicating way. We could spend a whole trip just getting lost in the dizzying labyrinth of streets, eating our weight in dumplings, and admiring the skyscraper jungle.
Hong Kong is a city that promises a vibrant mix of tradition and modernity—and, believe it or not, you can find a surprisingly affordable hostel to rest your weary heads.
Dubai 🌇🐪 The High Life on a Low Budget
The very name conjures up images of towering luxury and gold-plated everything. And while we can certainly indulge in the high life, a savvy traveller knows how to find the hidden gems.
You can take an affordable abra ride across the creek, go dune bashing in the desert, ascend the highest building in the world, and enjoy stunning architecture without emptying your wallets.
Thailand 🐘🏝️ Our Wallet’s Best Friend
The land of smiles is also the land of affordable holidays. You see the idyllic beaches, tropical islands, and bustling markets and imagine a fortune spent. But with a bit of research and a willingness to embrace local transport, you can get around for peanuts.
The food alone is worth the trip, and it costs a darnsite less than a pub lunch back home.
Indonesia: The Land of a Thousand… No, 17,000 Surprises
If you want a bit of a challenge, a proper expedition, Indonesia is the place. We’re talking about a sprawling archipelago that feels less like a single country and more like a collection of different worlds. Each island is its own unique universe, with its own distinct culture, cuisine, and climate.
You can find your inner peace on a yoga mat in Bali, hike up an active volcano on Java, or get lost in the ancient temples of Borobudur. It’s a country that refuses to be pigeonholed, and that’s precisely why we love it.
India: A Sensory Overload (in the Best Way Possible)
You’ve heard all the stories. The vibrant colours, the fragrant spices, the persistent beeping of tuk-tuks. India is often described as an assault on the senses, and, to be honest, it is. But we found that it’s less of an attack and more of a full-body, high-fidelity experience that left us feeling exhilarated and a little bruised.
From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the sun-drenched beaches of Goa, it’s a country of dizzying contrasts, where ancient traditions live side-by-side with modern life. You can spend a morning haggling for spices in a centuries-old market and an afternoon sipping masala chai in a trendy café.
It’s a journey that demands you abandon your preconceived notions and simply let the country take the lead, pulling you along for the ride.
Langkawi Island 🐒 An Escape We Didn’t Know We Needed
An escape from the Malaysian mainland, this island offers duty-free shopping (yes, really), lush rainforests, and some truly magnificent beaches.
It’s a place for lazy days and jungle treks, where the pace is slow and the costs are lower than you’d expect.
The Philippines: Not Just a Beach, a Vibe
We had long been convinced that the Philippines, with its more than 7,000 islands, must come with an extortionate price tag – but we are happily mistaken. It’s a country that offered a true taste of paradise without making our bank accounts weep.
Beyond the beaches, we discovered a vibrant and warm culture that genuinely welcomed us, ready to show us the best of their home, from the world-renowned rice terraces to the chaotic, colourful energy of the cities.
Malaysia 🕌 A Melting Pot of Flavours & Experiences
A melting pot of cultures, Malaysia offers a fascinating and diverse experience. You can wander through the colonial streets of Penang, explore the bustling markets of Kuala Lumpur, and hike through ancient jungles.
And the food… we won’t even start on the food. It’s affordable, it’s delicious, and you can eat it for every single meal.
The slogan says it all: ‘Malaysia, truly Asia‘.
Other Asian Destinations 🌏🗺️🧭 The Unsung Heroes of Travel
While everyone is busy queuing up for a selfie at a famous landmark, we’ve found that some of Asia’s best-kept secrets are its lesser-known destinations. You can get lost in the serene landscapes of Laos, wander through the historic streets of Malaysia’s colonial towns, or discover the buzzing nightlife of a city like Seoul.
These are the places that offer an unfiltered, genuine slice of life, where you can experience the true heart of the continent without the suffocating crowds. It’s an opportunity to forge your own path and discover a different, more personal side of Asia.
Europe: The Original Budget-Friendly Short Stop
Europe has been our go-to for a quick getaway for years, and for good reason. The sheer number of low-cost flights on offer means we can hop on a plane with little more than a backpack and a prayer, arriving somewhere entirely new in less than 4 hours.
Spain 💃🥘 Sun, Sangria, & Self-Deprecation
From the tapas bars of Valencia to the sun-drenched streets of Girona, Spain is a feast for the senses and the wallet. You can explore ancient cathedrals, get lost in art museums, and then gorge yourself on tiny plates of delicious food for a fraction of the cost you’d pay elsewhere.
Italy 🍕🍷 Taste of La Dolce Vita (on a Budget)
You may believe a trip to Italy is reserved for honeymooners and culinary connoisseurs with endless funds. But we have news for you: a budget trip to the land of pasta is entirely possible.
You can find cheap flights to smaller cities, stay in family-run guesthouses, and eat pizzas that make you feel like you’ve truly lived.
The United Kingdom 💂♀️
Our own back garden. We can hop on a train and find ourselves in a bustling city like Manchester, or a historic gem like Edinburgh, with a simple swipe of a card. From the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands to the vibrant markets of London, a UK short break is a genuine contender.
France 🗼🥐 Beyond the Parisian Clichés
Beyond the Parisian clichés, France is full of cities that offer a taste of la belle vie without the hefty price tag. you can stroll through the parks of Limoges, explore the historic streets of Bordeaux, or sip coffee in a coastal town.
You can eat croissants and cheese to your hearts desire… and you can do it on a shoestring budget.
Poland 🏰 The Eastern European Revelation
This is where we truly discover the magic of budget travel. We find stunning historic cities like Kraków and Gdańsk with incredibly low prices for food, accommodation, and transport.
It’s a country that offers a compelling mix of history, culture, and value for money that is hard to beat.
Malta 🛡️⚔️ Our Little Island
It’s an unassuming rock in the Mediterranean. You can wander through the ancient streets of Valletta, take a ferry to the sleepy sister island of Gozo, and swim in the clear blue sea.
The food is incredible, the sun is almost always shining, and the costs are just about affordable, which is a real bonus for us locals.
Turkey 🕌 Where East Meets Our Empty Pockets
A country where East meets West, and where we find some of the most beautiful historic sites in the world. You can explore the ancient city of Ephesus, float over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon, and haggle for spices in the bazaars of Istanbul.
It’s a country that offers an adventurous holiday at a price that won’t make you feel nauseous.
Other European Destinations 🌏🗺️🧭 Beyond the Usual Suspects
We’ve all done the big European cities, haven’t we? The Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, the Sagrada Familia (?).
But Europe has so much more to offer for the discerning traveller who has a penchant for the less-trodden path. It’s a continent full of hidden gems, from the stunning canals of Amsterdam to the sun-drenched islands of Croatia. You can find affordable, authentic, and utterly charming experiences that the typical tourist might miss. It’s time to look beyond the obvious and see what else this continent has to offer.
The Art of the Budget Break
Here’s the rub: finding a cheap holiday is one thing, but making sure it’s not a complete catastrophe is another. We’ve compiled a few essential pointers for anyone who wants to avoid ending up in a questionable hostel in the middle of nowhere.
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Be flexible: This is the first rule of budget travel. Go where the wind—and the cheap flights—take you.
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Embrace the shoulder seasons: We avoid peak season travel like the plague. We’ll take a slightly cooler Paris in October over a suffocating, overcrowded August any day.
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Think outside the box: We look for accommodation that isn’t a soulless hotel. A private room in a hostel, an Airbnb in a residential neighbourhood, a local guesthouse—these are the real secrets to affordable travel.
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Street food is our religion: We bypass the tourist traps and head for the local markets. We find the places where the locals eat, where the smell of spices hangs in the air, and where we can fill our bellies for a few pounds.
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Walk everywhere: It’s free, it’s good for you, and it’s the best way to get to know a city. Plus, you discover hidden lanes and quirky shops that you’d never have found on a bus tour.
So there we are. A world of short breaks, just a few clicks away. You are now well-equipped to escape the drudgery and embrace a bit of the unexpected, without needing to take out a second mortgage.
Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ve spotted a suspiciously cheap flight to Bogota, and our washing machine is looking particularly smug today.
We’ve got a score to settle.
Short Breaks & City Stops
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