This week we were asked by one of our customers to share some deals from Northern Ireland. So we thought we would highlight easy-peasy weekend break ideas from Belfast.

The city is lucky as it has two airports to choose from; Belfast International (BFS) and Belfast City (BHD), which gives locals even more choice for a great weekend away and a second chance to get a cheap flight deal!

Flights to London

With perhaps the largest number of weekend flights from both airports, travellers to London are spoilt for choice. Flights are available to four London airports: Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted. To get the best deal consider flying in and out of different airports – this way you can maximise your time in the capital, as well as getting a cheaper price.

London Eye – photo by ** Maurice **

You also don’t have to take time off from work. bmibaby have a late Friday flight to London from Belfast City and easyJet fly late on Friday to Luton from Belfast International. easyJet also have plans for a new route from Belfast International to Southend near London for 2012. This route will operate a late Friday night flight and due to it being a new route and less popular airport, we expect good deals to be available.

Don’t Take Any Time Off

Used all your holiday up? Well don’t worry as you can escape for the weekend on a late Friday flight and get back Sunday night in time for work on a Monday morning. We’ve picked three destinations served by at least two carriers so you can compare prices to get the best deal. Flybe have flights to Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool from Belfast City. easyJet offer the same routes from Belfast International.

Edinburgh Castle – Photo by Bernt Rostad

The Old Favourites

Excuse our lack of originally here, but there’s a reason why Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona consistently rank as top city break destinations. It’s because, erm… that’s what they are: old favourites.

Eiffel Tower – photo by rs-foto

All three cities are served by more than one carrier from Belfast which means a greater choice of flight times and competition for prices – be sure to compare flight prices before booking to get the cheapest rate.

Flights to Paris are available with both easyJet (from Belfast International) and Flybe (from Belfast City). We especially like the easyJet flight departing late on Sunday night (currently 9:50pm) which gives you extra time for a final (early-ish) meal in a city renowned for its excellent cuisine.

Park Guell, Barcelona – photo by Wolfgang Staudt

Flights to Barcelona are available with easyJet from Belfast International but also Aer Lingus run a service until October. The Irish airline’s service runs from the same airport so you can choose the cheapest outbound and inbound carrier.

Amsterdam city breaks are also available from Belfast with bmibaby introducing a flight to Amsterdam from Belfast City. Again, you should compare flight prices with easyJet who fly out of Belfast International.

Something different

Belfast offers some real alternatives to a weekend in one of the large European cities. If you are looking to top up your tan there are flights to a range of Spanish destinations, again served by multiple airlines. Weekend breaks to Malaga (easyJet) and Murcia (Jet2.com) stand out because both have late return flights on a Sunday.

Malaga beach – photo by andypowe11

Palma in Majorca is a fantastic city break destination in its own right – don’t miss seeing the spectacular gothic Cathedral, La Seu! Flights from Belfast have the added advantage of an option of leaving late on a Friday evening.

For those looking to grab a weekend on the slopes, flights to Geneva are available across the weekend (Friday to Monday).

Times Square, New York – photo by Randy Le’Moine Photography

Further afield, flights to New York with Continental Airlines give you the opportunity to explore the Big Apple. Whether seeing the sights, enjoying a show on Broadway or shopping on 5th Avenue, you can get away for a weekend break and return back into Belfast International for 9am on Monday morning!

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