Manchester Airport offers one of cheapest European return flight for Christmas getaway according to new survey

Results from a travel survey have revealed that Manchester Airport has one of the cheapest European return flights in the country. The Forbes Advisor UK survey has details about several UK airports and destinations. 

The survey found that customers can get a return flight from Manchester to the French capital city Paris for just £51. This was less than half the cost of a flight between Manchester and London. It equates to £0.24 per mile to travel from Manchester to Paris whereas going from Manchester to London is £0.73 per mile..

Manchester Airport also led the way on affordable winter flights to sunnier climates. The £235 return flight to Tenerife is cheaper than the same flights from London, Birmingham and Newcastle. 

This return flight from Manchester Airport to Tenerife is also cheaper, according to the survey, than a train journey between Bristol and Aberdeen. Another train journey the flight coast trumps is Exeter to Edinburgh. 

The survey was carried out using flight search website SkyScanner for the period December 21 to 29 2023. As well as the Paris flight, there are two other European destinations you can get a return flight to from Manchester.

For £71, you can fly to and from the vibrant Italian city of Milan. With plenty of high-end fashion outlets and a thriving cultural scene, you’ll have a great time in Italy. 

The Dutch capital of Amsterdam can also be visited for just £56 return from Manchester. In the same period, the cheapest return flights from any UK airport was just £41 from Bristol to Geneva. 

Kevin Pratt, travel insurance expert at Forbes Advisor UK, said: “Anyone intending to travel over Christmas should be firming up their plans now and buying their tickets, because availability on popular routes will soon disappear. 

“And for those who have always caught the train, it might also be an opportunity to explore the possibility of flying. The airports you use might be that bit further out of town than the railway station, but the money you could save could cover the cost of your cab and more besides. 

“If you fancy nothing more than escaping the cold, dark winter, a trip to Europe might be more affordable than you think, especially when you consider your flights will probably cost you less than inter-city travel within the UK.”