The best and cheapest places to go from Edinburgh during ILW

It’s the end of January. You’ve likely already had enough of ‘work’, slipped on a frosty cobble outside the library and got over the novelty of being back after Christmas. The solution? A weekend escape. Given the fact that Edinburgh is indeed the capital of Scotland, you can get direct (and cheap) flights to hundreds of exciting countries.

So, whilst deadlines and exams aren’t looming and forcing you to hunker down in the stuffy climes of the library, now’s the time to get out, explore the world around you and start planning how you’re going to travel with innovation just in time for reading week.

Ireland, from £26

Drown your sorrows in Guinness in Dublin from £26 and experience a buzzing city with a world class nightlife scene. Hostels are ridiculously cheap here as well, and it’s likely that you’ll be able to pay £50 for the entire weekend including accommodation.

Spain, from £26 

If you’re feeling flexible, you can get to Palma, Majorca from £26 for a return trip to appreciate a bit of weak and wintry (but still present) Mediterranean sun and a change of scenery. Flights to Barcelona start at £57 meaning a wander down La Rambla isn’t as out of reach as it may seem at 9am on a cold Edinburgh morning.

Germany, from £28  

With Berlin from £73, now’s the time to grab a bratwurst and enjoy the sights of a city, which although equally as chilly as the ‘Burgh, is jam packed with galleries and museums. For those wanting to go off the beaten track a little and go rogue for the weekend, you can get to Dusseldorf from £28 and experience its booming arts and fashion scene.

Belgium, from £30 

Visit Brussels, the seat of the (unfortunately now a distant acquaintance) EU and experience some high quality culture. Eat in enigmatic restaurants and peruse ancient churches whilst pretending it’s all going to help in that medieval European history module that you accidentally took.

Denmark, from £35 

Copenhagen. The city everyone wants to visit and the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Little Mermaid’. Treat yourself to a bit of Scandi chill, exciting seafood and fresh sea air (and an insta pic by the bronze statue of the mermaid herself).

Poland, from £38 

Go wild in Warsaw and experience this exceedingly historical city. Visit museums and castles, and admire gothic architecture. If Warsaw’s not your thing, then try Gdansk for only £5 more, and experience a maritime community complete with cobbles, spires and pleasure cruising.

France, from £37 

You could be sipping wine in beautiful Bordeaux or feeling romantic in Paris before you know it, all for surprisingly decent prices. Find a cafe on the left bank and take enough photos to  make sure that ALL of your friends are fully aware of how cosmopolitan you are.

Portugal, from £38 

Again, fancy some winter sun? Here’s your opportunity to wander the whitewashed streets of Faro and enjoy a bit of much needed time on the Praia.

The Netherlands, from £63 

Amsterdam is often considered to be the turning point in many a young adult’s life- a stop on their the first interrail trip followed by their first trip to a coffee shop where they consume one space cake and end up having to be carried home by their friends. Of course, now you’re a sophisticated city breaker, you’ll be cruising the canal and trying out the (non sex) museums… won’t you?

Italy, from £57  

Bologna is the new Venice? Basically. It’s got the food, the architecture and that Italian je ne sais quoi. Bologna’s one downside? It’s not Venice. Other than that, you can have all the fun of Italy for dirt cheap prices.