Cheap weekend abroad from the Netherlands
Return transport plus two nights hotel, as cheap as possible. From Lille by train to Porto with Ryanair: 8 destinations that are proven affordable, with real prices and exact routes.
Plan your cheap weekend away: flight, hotel and total price in one go
Quick answer: Cheap weekends abroad from the Netherlands start from EUR 69 per person (return transport + 2 nights). Cheapest options: Lille by train (from EUR 69), Brussels (from EUR 75), Tirana (from EUR 76), Krakow (from EUR 86) and Porto (from EUR 120). Best period: November to March outside school holidays.
Lille, France
Route from NL: Thalys or Eurostar runs from Amsterdam Centraal to Lille-Europe in 1h25. Return from EUR 19 when booked early. No airport surcharge, no baggage fees.
Price guide 2 nights: Train EUR 19-50 + budget hotel EUR 25-30 per night x 2 = total EUR 69-110 per person.
Why it's cheap: Lille is more French than Brussels but just as close. A large brasserie meal costs EUR 12-16. The Palais des Beaux-Arts is one of France's largest art museums and costs just EUR 7. Friday and Sunday markets are worth visiting for snacks and local produce.
View Lille with live hotel and flight pricesBrussels, Belgium
Route from NL: Eurostar or Thalys from Amsterdam Centraal to Brussels-South in 1h52. Return from EUR 25 when booked early.
Price guide 2 nights: Train EUR 25-60 + hostel or budget hotel EUR 25-35 per night x 2 = total EUR 75-130 per person.
Why it's cheap: Brussels is so close that the train is faster than flying: no airport surcharge, no check-in time. The Grand Place, Royal Palace and Comic Strip museums are all walkable. Beer is the national product: a pint of Duvel costs EUR 4-5.
View Brussels with live hotel and flight pricesTirana, Albania
Route from NL: Wizz Air flies direct from Eindhoven (EIN) or Amsterdam (AMS) to Tirana (TIA) in 2h30. Return from EUR 46 in low season.
Price guide 2 nights: Flight EUR 46-80 + hostel or hotel EUR 15-20 per night x 2 = total EUR 76-120 per person.
Why it's cheap: Albania is structurally the cheapest country in Europe: restaurant meal EUR 5-9, beer EUR 1-1.50. Tirana has colourful murals, the Bunkart museum in a former nuclear bunker, and a lively cafe scene around Skanderbeg Square.
View Tirana with live hotel and flight pricesNador, Morocco
Route from NL: Ryanair or Air Arabia flies direct from Eindhoven (EIN) or Amsterdam (AMS) to Nador (NDR) in 3h15. Return from EUR 40 in low season.
Price guide 2 nights: Flight EUR 40-80 + hotel EUR 20-25 per night x 2 = total EUR 80-130 per person.
Why it's cheap: Nador offers Mediterranean coast with a lagoon and sandy beaches in Morocco. Food is very affordable: tagine and couscous for EUR 4-7 per meal in a local restaurant. Popular with Dutch-Moroccan travellers, with direct connections from Eindhoven.
View Nador with live hotel and flight pricesKrakow, Poland
Route from NL: Wizz Air or Ryanair flies direct from Eindhoven (EIN) or Amsterdam (AMS) to Krakow (KRK) in 1h50. Return from EUR 50 outside school holidays.
Price guide 2 nights: Flight EUR 50-80 + hostel EUR 18-25 per night x 2 = total EUR 86-130 per person.
Why it's cheap: The Polish zloty keeps everything affordable: beer EUR 1.50-2.50, main course EUR 5-8. The UNESCO market square (Rynek Glowny) is the largest medieval market square in Europe and free to visit.
View Krakow with live hotel and flight pricesPorto, Portugal
Route from NL: Ryanair flies direct from Eindhoven (EIN) to Porto (OPO) in 2h50. Return from EUR 60. From Amsterdam also direct with TAP or Ryanair.
Price guide 2 nights: Flight EUR 60-100 + budget hotel EUR 30-50 per night x 2 = total EUR 120-200 per person.
Why it's cheap: Porto is one of the cheapest major cities in Western Europe. A Francesinha steak sandwich at a local tasca costs EUR 10-14. The Ribeira (UNESCO), Livraria Lello and the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia: all free or almost free to visit.
View Porto with live hotel and flight pricesValencia, Spain
Route from NL: Ryanair flies direct from Eindhoven (EIN) to Valencia (VLC) in 2h35. Return from EUR 60 in low season.
Price guide 2 nights: Flight EUR 60-100 + budget hotel EUR 30-45 per night x 2 = total EUR 125-190 per person.
Why it's cheap: Valencia is cheaper than Barcelona and has just as much to offer: the City of Arts and Sciences, the Oceanographic and the original paella by the sea. Food in the Mercado Central costs EUR 3-6.
View Valencia with live hotel and flight pricesPrague, Czech Republic
Route from NL: Ryanair or Wizz Air flies from Amsterdam (AMS) to Prague (PRG) in 1h50. Return from EUR 60. FlixBus overnight coach sometimes costs less than EUR 25 return but takes 14-16 hours.
Price guide 2 nights: Flight EUR 60-90 + budget hotel EUR 30-50 per night x 2 = total EUR 130-190 per person.
Why it's cheap: The Czech koruna is favourable for euro countries: a Pilsner Urquell in the centre costs EUR 2-3. Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter and Prague Castle (exterior) are all free. The Old Town Square is free to visit in the evening.
View Prague with live hotel and flight pricesWant to know what a specific weekend away costs, including flights and hotel on your dates? The planner calculates it for you.
Plan my cheap weekend abroad →Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest weekend abroad from the Netherlands?
The cheapest options are Lille by Thalys train (from EUR 69 per person including 2 nights) and Brussels by train (from EUR 75). Next come Krakow, Tirana and Nador with flights from EUR 40 return and budget hotels for EUR 15-25 per night.
When is a cheap weekend abroad from the Netherlands cheapest?
November to March outside school holidays is cheapest. Flying mid-week (Monday-Thursday) also saves EUR 20-40 on the flight price. Book flights 4-8 weeks in advance for the best price.
Can I get a cheap weekend abroad from Eindhoven Airport?
Yes. Ryanair and Wizz Air fly direct from Eindhoven to Valencia, Krakow, Nador, Tangier, Tirana, Porto and dozens of other destinations. Tickets cost from EUR 40-60 return in low season.
How cheap is Porto for a weekend break?
Porto is one of the cheapest major cities in Western Europe. Ryanair flies direct from Eindhoven and Amsterdam from EUR 60 return. A budget hotel costs EUR 30-50 per night. Total including transport and 2 nights: from EUR 120-150 per person.
Is it better to fly or take the train for a cheap weekend abroad?
For destinations within 3 hours by train (Brussels, Lille, Cologne) the train is cheaper and easier: no airport surcharge, no check-in time and you arrive in the city centre. For destinations further away, cheap flights via Eindhoven or Amsterdam are most attractive.