RYANAIR has axed hundreds of thousands of seats across many routes in Europe resulting in Brits losing direct routes to some of their favourite holiday destinations.
If you’re trying to think of some alternative spots for your next holiday, the experts at MoneySuperMarket along with Sun Travel have found options some for you.
Carcassonne, France
In 2025, Ryanair cut many services to France including its route to Bergerac which is known for its half-timbered houses and medieval streets.
If you still want that for your next break, Carcassonne is a great alternative.
MoneySuperMarket said: “Carcassonne makes a brilliant alternative to Bergerac for travellers still wishing to fly with Ryanair.
“The city shares Bergerac’s medieval charm, featuring a historic fortress, winding old streets and an impressive local wine scene.
“For an aesthetic even closer to Bergerac, the village of Alet-les-Bains is only an hour’s drive away, with half-timbered houses that feel like a step back in time.”
Brits can fly directly from London Stansted to Carcassonne with Ryanair with a flight time of two hours.
Or fly from Manchester and arrive in the French city in just two hours and 10 minutes.
Marrakesh, Morocco
It’s not just France that’s affected, Ryanair announced it would be cutting its routes routes to Tenerife North starting from winter 2025 season.
However, if it’s winter sun that Brits are looking for, then there are a few other spots to fly to instead.
Ryanair will instead be putting more capacity into its routes to Morocco – so a trip to Marrakesh, Agadir, Rabat or Essaouira could be an option.
Whether you’re looking for a city break or a beach destination – each city offers something different.
But all have souks to explore, pretty resorts and hotels as well as high winter temperatures.
Flying to Marrakesh takes under four hours from the UK and flights from London are as little as £15 in December.
Krakow, Poland
Ryanair also cut flights to Brive in France as a result of the rising tax rate.
But if you still fancy the charm of the French city that’s known for its fantastic food, then you might find what you’re looking for in the Polish city of Krakow.
MoneySuperMarket added: “Brive is loved for its food markets, history, museums, and that artisanal distillery feel, but Krakow could be an alternative with a stunning medieval old town, lively markets, and rich museums.
“Krakow also offers its own vodka distillery experiences, bringing the same taste of local culture while also being an easy city to reach from many UK airports.”
Brits can fly to Krakow from major airports in the UK with flights taking just over two and half hours.
In January one-way tickets are as little as £15.
Madeira, Portugal
Ryanair recently announced plans to axe flights to the Azores in March 2026.
The autonomous Portuguese islands are known for their dramatic volcanic landscapes and have long been a favourite with UK holidaymakers.
One alternative recommended by the team at Sun Travel is beautiful Madeira.
Still in Portugal, the archipelago has the lush greenery of the Azores as well as black sand beaches.
It’s not just about nature, though, as there are still bustling cities like Funchal where holidaymakers can explore the Old Town and visit the Mercado dos Lavradores market.
Or wander through the pretty Madeira Botanical Garden and Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
Flights to Madeira depart from the likes of Bristol, Manchester, Bournemouth, Leeds, Nottingham, Liverpool and London for as little as £16.
Porto, Portugal
In August 2025, Ryanair said confirmed that two million seats across Spain would be being scrapped including those to Vigo.
The city is known for its vibrant seafood scene, beautiful Atlantic coastline, and as a gateway to the Cíes Islands which are just a 45-minute ferry trip away.
For a different budget-friendly, and direct route from the UK – check out Porto.
The coastal city in northwest Portugal is known for its huge bridges, port wine production, and colourful, winding streets.
Its position by the sea means that, like Vigo, it has plenty of fresh seafood.
While you’re there, don’t forget to try the ‘Porto sandwich’ called Francesinha, which is made with layered meats like steak, ham, and sausage between toasted bread slices.
You can fly directly from the UK to Porto from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The flight time is under two and a half hours – and they’re as little as £15.
Here’s another alternative destination to visit this year as Ryanair scraps hundreds of flights – and it’s known for winter sun.
Plus, discover the six alternative Med holidays for 2025 with quieter beaches, cheaper food and affordable deals.