Say what you’ll about funds airways, however for these of us who’ve flown with the likes of Ryanair, EasyJet, Aer Lingus and Flybe for a ‘cheap and cheerful’ journey to a sunny getaway, you’ll most likely agree they served an ideal objective – and, right here at Campsited, we’re a giant fan!
Budget airways supply short-haul flights to many idyllic European locations from most airports within the UK and Ireland and so they’re an effective way to discover new locations overseas, with out excessive ticket costs (with some tickets ranging from £20 return!).
Many of us would even evaluate the professionalism, cleanliness, accessibility and punctuality of low-cost airways on par with a few of their bigger, worldwide rivals.
They may be our trusty pal for cheap household journeys to European cities, lary group weekenders, romantic couple holidays, solo expeditions, hyperlinks to different transatlantic international locations and naturally, our favorite sort of vacation…. one within the open-air!
There’s no scarcity of wonderful locations to discover, with nice worth, home flights from the UK and Ireland at your disposal.
We’ve compiled an inventory of a number of the finest locations you will get to on a funds airline, so as to make your hard-earned cash stretch additional with out compromising on high quality. So buckle your seatbelt – right here’s our choose…
5 open-air locations close to to a funds airline airport
First cease, it’s our motherland and final open-air vacation vacation spot, France. It’s no marvel, our first 3 suggestions may be discovered right here…
1. Nice, France
Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Nice is the main resort metropolis of the Côte d’Azur in southeastern France. You can take pleasure in 300 days of sunshine on fabulous seashores with gorgeous mountainous views – and embrace a vibrant tradition of pleasant locals, world-class delicacies, quaint villages and cutting-edge structure.
Don’t be delay by it’s recognition, there’s loads of open-air escapes and off-the-beaten observe hidden gems to uncover right here, like a visit to Parc Forestier Du Mont Boron (or Mont Boron Forest Park in case your French is just a little rusty!).
A former stomping floor of our pre-historic ancestors, this hill-top forest park is breathtakingly lovely, crammed with native fauna and flora – and grants you entry to panoramic views of neighbouring mountains and rolling countryside. It’s free parking right here too, so effectively price a pit-stop in case you’re driving across the French Riviera.
And, if time permits, you might hop on a tour to the close by Verdon Gorge, Europe’s largest Canyon and arguably France’s best pure wonders.
UK airports that fly to Nice
You can fly on to Nice airport (NCE) from any main London airport, in addition to Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh, Belfast International. The flight time is round 2 hours – and the most cost effective month to fly is March (in keeping with SkyScanner Feb 23).
Open-air resorts and campsites close to Nice
Sites et Paysages Les Pinèdes
quarter-hour / 12km from Nice airport. This luxurious campsite is stuffed with Provençal appeal, with pure landscapes because the backdrop. Here you’ll be able to lease a static house, distinctive glamping pod or pitch up a tent with entry to high-quality facilities.
Camping Les Cent Chênes
20 minutes (11km) from Nice airport, this peaceable getaway is located amongst mountains and bushes and options quite a few self–contained cabins, in addition to a refreshing out of doors pool.
2. Lourdes, France
Not solely is the sacred city of Lourdes a non secular haven that pulls vacationers from everywhere in the globe, nevertheless it’s additionally probably the most upcoming open-air journey locations too. Its iconic therapeutic shrine is nothing wanting spectacular – an absolute should to witness and expertise!
Lourdes is ideal for getting out in nature, and why? Well, it sits on the foot of the picturesque Pyrenees mountains, inviting you into an entire pure world of valleys, rivers, historic granite formations, wildflower meadows, and so some ways to expertise all of it…
There’s mountaineering appropriate for all ranges, in addition to mountain biking trails on fashionable routes like Pic du Jer, Demoiselle Refuge and Rochers de Massabielle. Or, you might go mountain climbing and abseiling on the Gran Galet, to see Lourdes from a mess of thrilling angles!
If being on the water is your sanctuary, then renting a kayak alongside the Gave de Pau river, passing bankside villages and historic wooded forests is simply dreamy!
UK airports that fly to Lourdes
You can fly on to the primary airport in Lourdes (LDE) from London and Dublin. The flight time is round 2 hours – and the most cost effective month to fly is in March (in keeping with SkyScanner Feb 23).
Open-air resorts and campsites close to Lourdes
Camping La Forêt
quarter-hour / 12k from Lourdes airport, this year-round, open-air retreat actually does have all of it! You’ll be located near a number of the famend pure wonders of the Pyrenees space, and whilst you’re there, you’ll have entry to miles of personal parkland, together with a mini-farm and aquatic space, in addition to an out of doors heated swimming pool, static properties, and tenting spots.
Camping Plein Soleil
10 minutes / 10 km from Lourdes airport, you’ll discover this open-air resort nestled within the mountains surrounded by lush inexperienced landscapes. Here, you’ll be able to get pleasure from plenty of family-friendly actions each on-site and close by. There’s additionally the choice to lease a tenting pitch or lovable picket cottage.
3. Béziers, France
Béziers is a good place to expertise Languedoc’s tradition, with its distinct gothic structure, world-renowned wines, gorgeous pine-tree framed shorelines, bullfighting, rugged countryside and majestic mountain ranges greeting you from the off.
You may spend your days visiting one of many cities many hotspots just like the thirteenth Century Béziers Cathedral. Stroll (or lease a motorcycle) alongside the the attractive Canal du Midi, the historic physique of water connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea – or seize a café au lait and watch the world go bay in a quaint, in French cafe on the Place Jean Jaurès sq..
There’s loads of household actions on the seashore too, corresponding to sand boarding, crusing, and windsurfing you’ll be able to attempt – or coast path hike’s that’ll take your breath away (for all the proper causes).
Most importantly, the space is famed for it’s food and drinks, so make sure you make time for your tastebuds too. Sample native wine and delicacies at a standard French Bistro, or on the very least, seize a crêpe (or two). You received’t remorse it!
UK airports that fly to Béziers
Fly on to the primary airport in Bèziers (BZR) year-round from London and Bristol, and seasonally from Edinburgh and Manchester. The flight time is round 2 hours – and the most cost effective month to fly is in March (in keeping with SkyScanner Feb 23).
Open-air resorts and campsites close to Béziers
Camping & Spa Cap Soleil
8 minutes / 6k from Béziers airport, this beach-side resort has every thing you want for a fun-filled, household getaway. There’s an unimaginable on-site water park for the youngsters – and a spa / wellbeing space for grown-ups! As effectively as all-day leisure for everybody. Choose from a safari lodge, static cabin or pitch up a tent or motorhome right here.
Sandaya Domaine de la Dragonnière
5 minutes / 1.5km away from Béziers airport, you’ll be able to just about hop off the place and be sunbathing by the pool in subsequent to no time! This 5 star vacation village options over 700 self-contained static properties, affords the highest high quality services and facilities – and takes full benefit of the Languedoc-Roussillon’s year-round sunshine.
4. Antwerp, Belgium
Combining diamond tradition, city vibrancy and a gateway to rural Belgian tranquility, the port metropolis of Antwerp is good for a brief keep, or week-long journey – and, in case you’re an outside lover, you’ll relish within the space’s distinctive pure environment too.
If it’s a metropolis break you’re craving, there’s an abundance of centuries-old Flemish structure within the type of historic buildings, museums, non secular buildings, in addition to a thriving artwork scene, fabulous espresso homes and eateries on the Scheldt riverside. You ought to bounce on a strolling or biking tour to get the total metropolis expertise!
But let’s discuss concerning the open-air adventures past town partitions. Antwerp is surrounded by peaceable villages, thriving inexperienced areas, rivers and nature reserves corresponding to Hoge Ham Wildlife Park, simply quarter-hour from Antwerp metropolis centre. There’s an oasis of marshland surrounded by a community of canals, streams, and nature trails.
Or go to Hobokense Polder, a protected parkland crammed with over 500 plant, hen and tree species.
>>Book a campsite in Flanders<<
UK airports that fly to Antwerp
You can fly on to the primary airport in Antwerp (ALG) from London all yr spherical. Alternatively, you might fly into Brussels (BRU) from London, Belfast-City, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London-Heathrow, Manchester or Newcastle – and take a brief drive north to Antwerp. The flight time is lower than 1 hour and the most cost effective month to fly is in September (in keeping with SkyScanner Feb 23).
Open-air resorts and campsites close to Antwerp
Camping Floreal Het Veen
24 minutes / 24 km from Antwerp Airport and tucked away between heath and pine forests, you’ll discover this cozy campsite positioned by the banks of Dessel-Schoten Canal. Choose to remain on one of many web site’s 300 camping pitches (full with electrical energy hook-ups and communal wash services) or a keep in a glamping tent or cell house.
Camping De Schuur
31 minutes / 34 km from Antwerp Airport, this family-run open-air resort blends in completely with it’s surrounding nature. It’s tranquil vibe is made much more healthful by the on-site petting zoo and entry to miles of public footpaths within the countryside. There’s a few distinctive glamping tents which you can lease, or convey your individual trusted shelter.
5. Florence, Italy
Tuscany’s love youngster Florence is nothing wanting magical. The metropolis itself is an eclectic mixture of renaissance fashion and trendy Italian tradition – and is crammed with lavish church buildings, iconic bridges and piazzas, world-class delicacies and people well-known Florentine rooftops and fountains.
You can spend days getting misplaced within the metropolis’s many celebrated artwork galleries, artisan markets and roman aspect streets, having fun with gelato and native wines – or spend time in nature, with many open-air actions and lodging proper in your doorstep.
You may attempt biking alongside the Arno river or taking a leisurely hike up Fiesole Hill for gorgeous views of Ponte Vecchio and Duomo di Firenze.
Or for one thing extra ‘off the beaten track’, take a look at Apuan Alps Regional Park, a UNESCO world heritage sight, house to Tuscany’s personal marble mountains. This legendary spot hosts seemingly countless miles of waymarked mountaineering trails and distinctive picnic spots, with loads of Instagram worthy backdrops.
UK airports that fly to Florence
You can fly on to the primary airport in Florence (FLR) year-round from London and seasonally from Edinburgh. The flight time is round 2 hours – and the most cost effective month to fly is in March (in keeping with SkyScanner Feb 23).
Open-air resorts and campsites close to Florence
Camping Village Internazionale Firenze
18 minutes / 23 km from Florence airport and simply 5 minutes drive from the center of Florence, this fashionable tenting village is simply accessible and incorporates a pizzeria, heated swimming pool, youngsters’s membership and all of the facilities you’ll want for tenting. As effectively as selection of self-contained rental cabins.
Camping Village Mugello Verde
35 minutes / 40 km from Florence airport this pleasant open-air resort within the Mugello Valley is brimming with Tuscan flavour, quaint villages, pine forests, native artwork and structure greeting you on each nook. Choose from a cell house, picket chalet or tenting pitch (a less expensive possibility) right here.
>> Read extra concerning the pleasure of tenting in Tuscany <<
How to organize for a funds airline vacation
Before you ebook your flight with a low-cost airline, keep in mind to:
Do your analysis of the areas you’d wish to journey to
Be positive they sort of vacation fits the wants of you and anybody you’re travelling with. Consider the local weather, native sights, travelling distances from airports to resorts – and learn critiques! Be positive which you can get a direct flight from a handy airport (it’ll save time and a number of faff).
Weigh up the worth distinction between reserving a package deal vacation and separate flights / lodging
Whilst you would possibly get some nice offers by way of a tour operator or journey agent, reserving individually would possibly really prevent cash, so verify each.
Focus when making your flight reserving.
Take the time to cost your cellphone (or laptop computer), have your financial institution card prepared and the full names and DOB of each passenger. Cheap flights would possibly imply the bottom fares, however that can seemingly include restrictions, so learn what’s included by the use of baggage allowance, superior seat choice, check-in occasions, cancellation insurance coverage. You’ll be supplied the possibility to improve generally.
If doubtful ask
Thanks to digital know-how, reserving a flight is less complicated than ever, however don’t really feel pressured by that timer on display. If you’re uncertain about your something, pick up a cellphone to buyer providers. The identical factor applies to your lodging host, there’s at all times an choice to contact the host, so don’t be hasty!
Make positive you may have every thing you must make your vacation run easily
We’re positive you’re already fairly militant about packing for a vacation overseas, and it’s not like you’ll be able to’t purchase issues while you’re on the market, however don’t overlook drugs, journey insurance coverage, day put on, sleep put on, swim put on… the checklist goes on.
>> You can rent a automobile, ebook journey insurance coverage and ebook excursions with us too <<
We want you the very best in your European travels and don’t overlook, we’ve obtained plenty of selection for pleasant campsites and open-air resorts proper right here.
Frequently requested questions on flying on a funds
Yes, low cost airways like Ryanair and Easyjet supply further legroom seats on most of their airplanes. Reserved seating is normally an additional price, so don’t miss out on these probability to stretch out on these comfy seats.
Your baggage allowance will rely in your flight operator’s baggage pointers – and this could additionally change recurrently, so it’s a vital factor to verify. Some enable a small piece of hand-luggage as a part of the worth, some will solely enable a purse (or manbag). You’ll be charged for further baggage in every route of your flight, so be ready contemplate this in your funds. Consider sharing with another person to maintain the associated fee down.
Sometimes you’ll be able to ebook transfers from the flight reserving web site. There are additionally choices accessible to you at most vacation spot airports, like shuttle buses or taxi rent.
You can ebook a rent automobile by way of us right here.
An amazing tip is to contact your campsite / open-air resort host and ask for suggestions on getting from the airport. In some instances they’ll prepare journey for you – or a minimum of level you in the proper route.
You can fly straight from all London airports, along with these leaving from Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Bristol, Belfast, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff, Doncaster, Southampton, Exeter, Leeds, East Midlands – and few different smaller airports like Newquay.