Weekend or midweek flights? How to save up to £111pp on a city break

1. Barcelona

Average price for Sunday to Thursday departures: £301pp

Average price for Friday to Saturday departures: £412pp

Average saving: £111pp

Of all of the destinations on our list, Barcelona carries the biggest weekend mark-up. Departing on a Friday or Saturday costs on average a whopping £222 more per couple than departing from Sunday to Thursday for the same three-night break.

That’s money that can be spent on top-notch tapas, cocktails by the beach or sightseeing at one of Barcelona’s many top attractions from Gaudi’s now completed Sagrada Familia church to the mosaics of Park Güell.

2. Prague

Average price for Sunday to Thursday departures: £291pp

Average price for Friday to Saturday departures: £366pp

Average saving: £75pp

A city break favourite, Prague is the place to go for stunning architecture, scrumptious food and a great value pint. In fact, Prague is great value all-round, making the list of our cheapest five-star European city breaks.

But, whether you want to go luxury or explore Prague on a budget, you can save on average £75 per person on a three-day break if you travel Sunday to Thursday instead of on a Friday or Saturday. That’s a substantial £150 saving if travelling as a couple.

3. Berlin

Average price for Sunday to Thursday departures: £297pp

Average price for Friday to Saturday departures: £345pp

Average saving: £48pp

Whether you’re a nightlife connoisseur or a history buff, a city break in arty Berlin is a memorable getaway year-round. Though if you head there during the festive season from late November, you’ll find more than 60 Christmas markets across the city, and the scent of mulled wine and bratwurst in the air. 

A trip to Germany’s capital city is on average £48 per person cheaper if you travel during the week rather than over the weekend, totalling a £96 saving for a couple travelling for three-nights.

4. Budapest

Average price for Sunday to Thursday departures: £297pp

Average price for Friday to Saturday departures: £344pp

Average saving: £47pp

You’ll snag a similar saving if you head to Budapest during the week instead of departing on Friday or Saturday. It’s a £47 per person saving departing Sunday or during the week for a three-night stay.

Hungary’s hot spring-filled capital is popular year-round but, for many, visiting one of its thermal spas with their historic outdoor pools, is a classic cold weather experience. Use your savings on a soak, explore the city’s quirky ruin pubs (bars in former abandoned buildings) or take a boat tour along the Danube. For other money saving tips, see our guide to doing Budapest on a budget.

5. Marrakech

Average price for Sunday to Thursday departures: £264pp

Average price for Friday to Saturday departures: £310pp

Average saving: £46pp

Souks, sun and savings await in Morocco’s most-visited city. Travel to Marrakech from Sunday to Thursday and you’ll save £46 per person on average when compared to flying on Friday or Saturday.

Aside from its medina, with its busy market and riads, incredible shopping opportunities for everything from carpets to fashion, and storied gardens, one of the big draws of Marrakech is its weather. Average daily temperatures are around 32⁰C during September dropping to a still lovely 22⁰C in November, just as the UK’s most miserable weather starts to kick in.

6. New York

Average price for Sunday to Thursday departures: £953pp

Average price for Friday to Saturday departures: £999pp

Average saving: £46pp

The Big Apple may be the most expensive city break on our list, but you can still make a saving. Travel to New York from Sunday to Thursday to save £46 per person based on two people travelling for three nights.

You’ll never be short of something to do in the city that never sleeps. Pack in three days of exploring everything from the best bites in Chinatown, to strolling Central Park and scaling the Statue of Liberty. And, of course, there’s endless shopping opportunities too, so why not get your Christmas shopping sorted early?

7. Krakow

Average price for Sunday to Thursday departures: £287pp

Average price for Friday to Saturday departures: £323pp

Average saving: £36pp

As pretty as a picture, Poland’s second city is also a bargain city break option. Though it costs on average just £323 per person for a three-night city break in Krakow departing either Friday or Saturday, you can save even more by leaving from Sunday to Thursday instead.

Walk around its 14th-century old town, pause at a café in medieval market squares or wander streets of pastel-coloured buildings.

8. Amsterdam

Average price for Sunday to Thursday departures: £365pp

Average price for Friday to Saturday departures: £394pp

Average saving: £29pp

One of the closest spots for a mini break at just over an hour’s flight away from the UK, Amsterdam is a doddle to get to, packed with show-stopping art and architecture, and great value too.

While travelling on the peak days of Friday and Saturday for a weekend away is just £394 per person on average, shifting your departure dates to a weekday could save you £29 per person.

The destinations where the departure day barely makes a difference

1. Rome

Average price for Sunday to Thursday departures: £408pp

Average price for Friday to Saturday departures: £411pp

Average saving: £3pp

Though you’ll need a week or more to truly see all Rome has to offer, a long weekend is a starting point. From the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel, to endless pasta and bitter-sharp espressos, get into the swing of city life at Rome’s most famous sights. Or even take a day trip to the beach!

You’ll spend just £3 more per person if you choose to head to Italy’s capital city on a Friday or Saturday – so plan your break to suit your calendar.

2. Paris

Average price for Sunday to Thursday departures: £411pp

Average price for Friday to Saturday departures: £420pp

Average saving: £9pp

The cost of travelling to the chic City of Light remains broadly similar whether you travel over a weekend or not. It costs just £9 more on average if you depart for Paris on the peak travel days of Friday and Saturday rather than during the week. So, if the annual leave only allows for a classic weekend away, you’re in luck.

Please note: The research analysed average prices based on searches and clicks on TravelSupermarket between 1 March and 31 August 2026, for three-night holidays for couples departing between September and December 2026, comparing Sunday to Thursday departures with Friday and Saturday departures.