Top 10 European Cruise Ports Easily Reached On A Low Cost Flight
As an island, there is usually at least 1 sea day to get anywhere and if you are heading further afield, you could need a couple of days cruising to reach your first port of call.
The easiest way to get around that and to spend more time in the region you want to visit is to take a flight to a port in the region to start and end your holiday, but you don’t want to spend too much just getting to the start of your cruise.
Similarly, if you are flying to Europe from other regions such as North America, it is often the cheapest to fly into Heathrow and then you simply want to get to your starting port as cheaply as possible.
This list covers our top 10 cruise ports that are easily reached from the UK onboard a low-cost flight.
We have considered the number of flights and airlines that operate into the cruise ports airport, the range of cruises from the port, and the number of airports offering flights to it.
Our Top 10 European Cruise Ports Easily Reached On A Low Cost Flight
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is, for good reason, one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations in general and is arguably the leading cruise port in the region.
It is perhaps no surprise therefore to see it top a list such as this one especially when you add in the city’s large international airport complete with many low-cost airlines that fly there from most UK international airports.
Just about every cruise line operating in Europe will offer cruises out of the city and you can choose from one of the widest ranges of ships including the world’s biggest and newest.
Athens/Piraeus, Greece
The port of Piraeus, just outside of the city centre of Athens offers a wide range of cruise itineraries around the Greek Islands, around the Adriatic Sea and to the Middle East.
There are numerous lines that operate out of the port, which has established itself as the leading cruise port in the Eastern Mediterranean, including options for all-inclusive cruises that include your flight and transfers.
Athens is a great place to spend a few days before or after your cruise exploring all the incredible historical sites on offer.
Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy
Civitavecchia is also one of the continents leading cruise ports, but it does suffer from been around an hour from the city it represents, Rome, and from the Italian capital cities international airports.
The city is well worth the effort of getting to the port however and we would recommend staying in a hotel for a few days to take it all in before or after your cruise, but even if you are heading straight from the airport to the cruise port, you will not be disappointed.
There is a huge range of ships, lines and itineraries that can be enjoyed from the port including the biggest ships out there.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Canary Island of Tenerife is probably best known as a beach holiday paradise for those looking for some cheap and cheerful fun but there is more than just the warm climate that makes the Canaries well worth visiting.
To really get around and see all that is there, a cruise is a great option as all the islands are close together and easy to explore in a few hours ashore.
Best of all, there are lots of budget airlines that head there all year around and save you the numerous days at sea needed to sail there but best of all, the capital of Santa Cruz is developing into a top cruise port.
Palma de Mallorca (Majorca)
Palma is famed for its stunning Cathedral, is a popular day out from the numerous seaside resorts on the island of Majorca but it is also now becoming just as well known in the cruising world as a growing cruise port.
There are several lines that stop off there on cruisers around the Western Med, but it is also possible to start your cruise in the city, with many adding on few days beach getaway on Mallorca as well.
As one of the continent’s most popular holiday islands, it will be no surprise that there are low-cost flights from the majority of international airports in the region including from most UK airports.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is one of our favourite European cities and it has long been a popular port of call on itineraries heading down to the Canaries, Mediterranean and even transatlantic routes but over the past decade or so, it has become a great place to start your cruise.
A new terminal in the city centre has really developed Lisbon’s cruising options and with a great metro system making it simple to get from the airport to the cruise port, Lisbon is now well worth checking out.
Corfu Town, Greece
The holiday island of Corfu welcomes visitors from across the globe and that includes many coming onboard low-cost flights from across the UK and Europe.
Perhaps best known for its cheap and cheerful beach holidays, there is now a growing number of cruises offered out of its capital of Corfu Town including cruise lines that package your flights and transfers as part of your booking to make it as simple as possible to explore the Greek Islands and the Adriatic.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik must be one of the most photographed cities in the Adriatic and it has become a popular tourist destination, but it is compact and easy to explore in a couple of days.
With that in mind, why not explore the walled city before setting sail around the Adriatic or down to the Greek Islands.
Dubrovnik’s airport is popular with low-cost airlines, and it is another destination for all-inclusive cruise lines.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The iconic canal city of Amsterdam is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Northern Europe and it is also a home port for the Holland America Line.
The sail in or out of the port along the Grand Canal gives great views of the city but whilst it may not have the options when it comes to cruises, its Schiphol airport is one of the best connected in the world.
Reykjavik. Iceland
Reykjavik has developed into a great year-round holiday destination as visitors look to explore it fjords, glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and volcanoes and a great way to do all of that is on a cruise holiday out of Reykjavik.
Due to the lack of public transport options in the country and the vast spaces between towns, a cruise is the ideal way to see more of what is on offer and Iceland’s main Keflavik airport has lots of direct low-cost flights from across Europe and the UK.
From there, you can sail across the Atlantic to Canada and the USA, sail down to Northern Europe and there are also cruises back to the UK.
