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Beat the Brexit Border Checks: Affordable European Cities for a Stress-Free Autumn Getaway
Published on
October 20, 2025
Authenticated biometric entry records will be mandated “on arrival” within the Schengen territory even for “visa-exempt” travelers which will include Biometric EES documents (fingerprints and facial pictures) for Britons. This new rule for passport control is going to add a new level of difficulty on what is already a tedious process for British nationals. The already stretched long queues will continue to exacerbate. Having new laws and regulations in place may be the new norm but, there are still a number of towns and cities around Europe which are still unaffected by the New Border Regulations.
The impacts of which have placed additional restrictions on British travellers travelling across Europe, such as the integration of the UK biometric processing system into the new Entry/Exit System. This would still result in the same, if not worse, congestion and lengthy border control lines that have persisted at ferry ports and major airports. Relatively quick and untroubled entry to the rest of Europe, even for short getaways, is still available in remote, non-European centres.
Regrettably, the EES is not universal across Europe. Major points of entry, such as Paris and Amsterdam, will see a significant increase in travel delays for non-EU nationals, but still, several equally accessible European cities exist where post-EES regulatory amendments border the trivial and simplistic. These remain the optimal travel destinations for non-EU nationals seeking to enter Europe, as they are significantly decongested with tourists. As an added incentive, these non-EU cities encase abundant, historical travel opportunities, as well as an easy passport to travel across Europe sans the cumbersome post-Brexit border control.
Best affordable city breaks to take in Autumn
The notable Autumn breaks in Europe for city stays are similarly much appreciated by the UK for short waiting times at the borders for these culturally diverse destinations.
Porto
The second biggest city in Portugal, Porto, is one of the cities that Porto is famous for, owing to its beautiful rivers, impressive structures, and of course, port wine. Porto’s city port airport happens to be one of the better ones in Europe. For the scale of the city, is is inexpensive to visit and so has many cheap accommodations. Porto too has an abundance of inexpensive local restaurants and so many attractions, which include Livraria Lello, that are free or low-cost.
Valencia
Reaching the western part of the country, we have the option of Valencia. It is an ideal spot for those cold autumn days. During a city tour, you will have a chance to see the city of the Arts and Sciences. Valencia is home to stunning beaches. Most wonderfully, in autumn these beaches are far less crowded. It provides a variety of cheap restaurants, typical of Spain, and has a great laid-back ambience. With its restaurants and hotels, you cannot stretch your budget too far.
Prague
A medieval settlement, and its mesmerising architecture and lively nightlife go hand in hand. While travelling to the European nation of Czech Republic, Prague is an obligatory stop. It has a reputation for being one of the cheapest capital cities a tourist can visit, and it is filled with numerous attractions. These include the Prague Castle and the St Charles Bridge. In addition, crossing the border for the UK passport holders is much faster as the Czech Republic is not a part of the Schengen area.
Prague still retains order and security based on its small dimension and compact borders, together with the border patrols.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest’s remarkable past, remarkable architecture, view-worthy spas, and thermal baths make it a priority on a traveler’s list. The city features several sites such as Buda Castle, the Parliament, and the Széchenyi Baths. Hungary’s border controls remain virtually unchanged and even with the addition of the EES, Hungary’s holy sites make for a calm immigration experience unlike the rest of Europe. Budapest is a city which conveniently provides a city break for those traveling on a budget as accommodation and food prices are fairly cheap.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, is a more relaxed option than the capital city of Vienna and Budapest. The Old Town area has a complex network of streets which slope down towards the Danube River and offers visitors the opportunity to rest at several beautiful pavement cafés. The city is also in proximity to Vienna and provides a much cheaper and less busy option for those wanting to escape the costly routes to and from Austria. Slovakia’s smaller international airport means shorter immigration times which makes the city more appealing for travelers.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
The stunning Dubrovnik is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, often called the Pearl of the Adriatic. With narrow already citadel street, amazing coast, and beautiful old shuttered windows, Dubrovnik is most certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Indeed Dubrovik enjoys its world’s Heritage Site status and with its lightly trafficked airport, ensures Britons experience frictionless immigration. Few cities bordering the European coastline offer the same value as Dubrovik, with entertaining or enjoyable activities such as the use of local beaches and the city walls.
How to Cut the Length of Time Spent Queuing
All those entering the Schengen Area are affected by the new Entry/Exit freedom system. For UK passport holders, there are some alternatives, or suggestions, to minimize queue times.
Arrive to Secondary Airports: In earlier sections, we indicated that smaller towers such as Porto, Valencia, and Bratislava generally process arrivals more quickly.
Schengen Area Border Control: If you have passports that allows you to access the Schengen EU lines, such as a dual passport holder, you will spend far less time than other non-EU passport holders.
Do Not Travel on Peak Days: Traveling outside of popular periods can limit stints in immigration and customs.
To Conclude
This autumn, Porto, Valencia and Bratislava are still absolutely accessible and affordable ‘Get Aways’ for UK tourists. Their allure, culture, and experiences multifariously exist in stark contrast to overtourism and border queue frustration found in other well-known European destinations. UK residents still have alternatives for travelling to Europe with the changing border regulations for the Entry/Exit System (EES) for the Schengen Area. There are serene, gratefully uncrowded border checkpoints and of the numerous accessible destinations, Europe’s marvels and culture is waiting for you.
