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European Finals Travel Guide: How Arsenal, Aston Villa & Crystal Palace Fans Can Get To Budapest, Istanbul & Leipzig
- Sports Travel Tom
- 4 hours ago
- 11 min read
A practical European finals travel guide covering flights, trains, fan festivals and accommodation options for supporters heading across Europe this May.
2026 will be the first time English clubs have reached all three major European finals in the same season.
Arsenal’s dramatic semi-final win over Atlético Madrid means they will face PSG in the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30th. Aston Villa then followed it up by beating Nottingham Forest to reach the Europa League final in Istanbul, where they will take on Freiburg on May 20th. And finally, Crystal Palace have reached the first European final in the club’s history and will face Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on May 27th.
Which means, over the next few weeks, thousands of English football fans will scatter themselves across Europe in search of one unforgettable night.
For Arsenal supporters, it could be a first ever Champions League title. Aston Villa are one game away from a first major trophy in 30 years. And Crystal Palace could somehow follow up their first ever major trophy last season with a European one this year. Trophies, it seems, are a little like London buses for Palace fans.
With airlines already reacting, the three iconic European host cities preparing fan festivals and hotel prices climbing sharply, what are the smartest options for fans considering making the trip, even without match tickets?
Because for many supporters, this will not just be about getting into the stadium. It will be about being part of the atmosphere around it.
In this European finals travel guide, here are some of the smartest travel options currently emerging for fans planning their finals trips.
Arsenal In Budapest
This Champions League final travel guide would not feel complete without mentioning just how well suited Budapest feels for a major football event.
Arsenal will take on PSG at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on May 30th, with the Hungarian capital expecting tens of thousands of travelling supporters to descend on the city.
Those thermal baths are going to be busy, but there's no doubting Budapest feels built for this kind of occasion.
Split by the Danube River and connected by the famous Chain Bridge, the city combines grand architecture, historic squares and one of Europe’s best nightlife scenes.
From the ruin bars of the VII District to riverside dining, thermal baths and the climb up towards Buda Castle, it is already one of Europe’s great city-break destinations before you even add a Champions League final into the equation.
Now add fan zones, football supporters from across Europe and warm late-May evenings, and this could become one of those finals where thousands travel without tickets simply to experience the atmosphere around the city.
Champions Festival
UEFA’s official Champions Festival will run from May 28th to May 31st at Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere), which is expected to become the centre of the city’s pre-match atmosphere.
The festival is free to enter and open to both sets of supporters, with plans including:
the Champions League trophy on display
football activities and games
appearances from former players and legends
live entertainment throughout the day
Opening hours are expected to begin daily from 10am.
Flights To Budapest
(Based on outbound travel May 29th and return May 31st)
Wizz Air has already confirmed it will increase capacity between London and Budapest ahead of the final, adding extra services from both Luton and Gatwick as demand continues to surge.
And the impact on pricing is already being felt.
Direct fares from London to Budapest have risen sharply over the past 48 hours, with many of the most attractive direct options now well into the several-hundred-pound range depending on baggage, flexibility and routing.
EasyJet prices have also climbed heavily, with some direct return combinations now appearing significantly higher than typical fares on the route at this time of year.
In short: if supporters are determined to fly directly into Budapest, this is no longer shaping up to be a budget European away trip.
Alternative Options
Vienna & Bratislava
For supporters who may not have match tickets, but are still considering travelling to soak up the atmosphere in Budapest, nearby cities could become increasingly attractive alternatives.
Vienna and Bratislava, in particular, are emerging as possible “backdoor routes” into the final.
Flights into both cities are currently appearing slightly more manageable than direct Budapest routes, although prices are also beginning to rise quickly as demand spreads across central Europe.
Vienna sits around 155 miles from Budapest and is connected by frequent high-speed rail services, with journeys taking approximately 2.5 hours.
Trains run regularly throughout the day and advance fares can still be found at relatively reasonable prices.
Bratislava offers a similar journey time and is often slightly cheaper again from an accommodation perspective, particularly for supporters prepared to base themselves outside Budapest and travel in on matchday.
And this may ultimately become one of the defining themes of these European finals:fans no longer simply chasing tickets… but increasingly chasing routes across Europe.
Accommodation In Budapest
Hotel prices in Budapest have already risen quickly around the final weekend, particularly in central areas close to the Danube, the VII District and the main tourist areas around Pest.
For fans travelling without tickets and simply wanting to experience the atmosphere in the city, staying centrally may still be worth the extra cost. Areas around the ruin bars, riverside restaurants and of course Heroes’ Square are expected to become the main gathering points for supporters across the weekend.
However, supporters looking to keep costs down may want to consider:
staying further out along Budapest’s metro network
apartment rentals rather than hotels
nearby cities such as Vienna or Bratislava
Ultimately the whole city itself is likely to become part of the experience, with supporters to be found in most areas, including the thermal baths, so keep in mind what will suit you best.
Aston Villa In Istanbul
This Europa League final travel guide may involve the longest journey of the three finals for English supporters, but it could also become the most adventurous.
Aston Villa have reached their first European final since 1982 and will head to Istanbul for the Europa League final on Wednesday May 20th at Beşiktaş Park.
It is the furthest of the three European finals for English supporters to reach, but potentially the most adventurous too.
Because Istanbul is not simply a football destination. It is one of the world’s great crossroads cities. A vast, chaotic, vibrant place that stretches across both Europe and Asia and somehow manages to feel historic and modern at exactly the same time.
And for travelling Villa supporters, this could become one of those trips remembered just as much for the city as the football itself.
The Bosphorus ferries will no doubt feature heavily on supporters’ itineraries, with journeys between the European and Asian sides of the city becoming part of the experience.
Then there is the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower and the maze of streets surrounding the waterfront districts that make Istanbul feel unlike anywhere else in Europe.
Villa fans, of course, will simply be hoping they feel as tall as the Galata Tower come the morning after the final.
Fan Festival
Like Budapest, Istanbul will also host an official UEFA fan festival for supporters travelling to the final.
However, unlike the four-day Champions Festival planned in Hungary, Istanbul’s version is expected to operate for one day only, opening on May 19th from 10am until 10pm.
The likely reason is location. The festival will take place at Beşiktaş Square, directly beside the stadium itself, making matchday operations significantly more complicated from a security perspective.
The festival is free to enter and is expected to include:
the Europa League trophy on display
football activities and games
live entertainment from music and artists
food and drink concessions
official Europa League merchandise stands
And with the Bosphorus waterfront sitting right beside the square, this may become one of the standout pre-match gathering points of the entire European finals season.
Flights To Istanbul
(Based on outbound travel May 19th and return May 21st)
Direct routes from Birmingham to Istanbul have risen sharply in price following Aston Villa’s progression to the final, with some return fares now climbing beyond the £1,000 mark depending on airline, baggage and flexibility.
Pegasus, Turkish Airlines and EasyJet are all seeing increased demand on routes into the city.
There are still some lower-cost options available via non-direct services, although these often come with lengthy layovers and extended travel times.
Supporters willing to travel from London or Manchester may currently find slightly better availability, although prices on the most convenient routes are continuing to rise quickly.
It is also worth checking both of Istanbul’s airports when searching.
Istanbul Airport sits to the west of the city, while Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located on the Asian side and can sometimes offer more competitive fares. The airport you arrive into may ultimately influence the smartest area to stay in, particularly given the scale of the city and the travel times involved.
In short: flexibility is likely to become the key for supporters still looking to keep costs manageable.
Make The Most Of Istanbul
Unlike Budapest or Leipzig, Istanbul is not really a city built for a quick overnight football trip.
It is enormous, intense and full of things worth exploring, which means supporters may actually find better value by extending their stay slightly rather than trying to squeeze everything into a frantic 48-hour turnaround.
Longer stays can sometimes help avoid the sharpest flight spikes immediately around the final itself, while also allowing supporters to properly experience the city beyond matchday.
And in a city like Istanbul, you should explore.
Because whether it is crossing the Bosphorus by ferry, wandering through the Grand Bazaar or sitting overlooking the water late into the evening, simply taking it all in becomes part of the experience.
I’ll stop short of recommending an inter-railing expedition across Europe for this one… but with demand already rising sharply, turning the Europa League final into a longer Turkey trip may end up being one of the smarter plans for Villa fans.
Beşiktaş Stadium Tour
Beşiktaş Park, officially known as Tüpraş Stadyumu, is home to one of Turkey’s most historic football clubs and is well worth exploring for supporters arriving in the city early.
The club’s official stadium tour and museum experience normally runs between Tuesday and Sunday and includes:
dressing rooms
tunnel access
press conference areas
pitch-side access
Tours are not expected to operate on the day of the final itself, but for football supporters visiting Istanbul for the first time, it offers another nice way to experience the city’s deep sporting culture beyond the Europa League final alone.
Accommodation In Istanbul
Accommodation prices in Istanbul are rising ahead of the final, particularly around the central European side of the city near Beşiktaş, Taksim and Galata.
And unlike some European finals, where simply finding the cheapest room may be the priority, location in Istanbul really matters.
The city is enormous and travel times can quickly become longer than expected, particularly around major events.
For supporters wanting to experience the atmosphere around the fan festival and stadium area, staying on the European side of the city is likely to make the most sense.
Areas around Beşiktaş, Karaköy and Galata offer strong transport links, nightlife and easy access to ferries crossing the Bosphorus.
Meanwhile, supporters looking to keep costs down may find slightly better value further away from the city centre or on the Asian side, although matchday logistics will become more complicated.
Crystal Palace In Leipzig
This Conference League final travel guide may offer the most achievable and affordable trip of the three finals for English supporters.
Crystal Palace fans are heading to the first European final in the club’s history, with Leipzig Stadium set to host the Conference League final on Wednesday May 27th.
Leipzig sits in eastern Germany, just south of Berlin, and compared to both Budapest and Istanbul, it feels refreshingly manageable. The airport is only around 15 minutes from the city centre by train and once in town, most of the key areas are easily walkable.
For supporters making the trip without match tickets simply to soak up the atmosphere, that simplicity could become a huge part of the appeal.
The historic Marktplatz, Nikolaikirche and elegant Mädler Passage are all within close reach of each other, while the city’s café culture, beer halls and public squares should create an excellent backdrop for Palace fans hoping to witness one of the biggest nights in the club’s history.
Leipzig is also famously tied to music and classical culture. This is Bach’s city after all. Palace supporters will no doubt be hoping their team hit the right notes in the city too.
And whilst midweek finals always bring a layer of logistical pain for travelling fans balancing work commitments and rushed itineraries, Leipzig feels like one of those finals where a quick dash across Europe is genuinely achievable.
Because what Crystal Palace fan would not want to be there for the club’s first ever European final?
Fan Festival
Leipzig’s official UEFA fan festival will take place at Marktplatz right in the heart of the city and is expected to operate across three days leading into the final.
The festival will be free to enter and open daily from 10am, with Monday May 25th expected to focus heavily on family activities.
Plans are expected to include:
the Conference League trophy on display
football activities and games
legends matches on the five-a-side pitch
food and drink concessions
live entertainment and music throughout the day
There will also reportedly be opportunities for supporters to win tickets to the final itself, which adds another layer of intrigue for Palace fans making the trip without match tickets.
Flights To Leipzig
(Based on outbound travel May 26th and return May 28th)
Direct flights between London and Leipzig have already risen sharply in price following Crystal Palace’s progression to the final, with many non-stop return options now climbing well beyond their usual levels despite the flight itself taking less than two hours.
However, unlike some of the other finals, there are still several workable alternatives available for supporters willing to be slightly flexible.
Routes involving one stop via cities such as Amsterdam and Vienna are currently offering more manageable pricing, particularly for fans prepared to accept slightly longer travel times and layovers.
Longer connections can reduce costs further still, although supporters will need to decide how much patience they are willing to sacrifice in pursuit of a cheaper fare.
Alternative Options
Prague — Flight + Train
One particularly interesting option for Palace supporters could be Prague.
Flights from London to the Czech capital are currently appearing noticeably cheaper than direct services into Leipzig and, once there, the train connection onwards into Germany is relatively straightforward.
Both Deutsche Bahn and České dráhy operate services between Prague and Leipzig, with journey times generally sitting between 3.5 and 4 hours.
Advance rail fares also remain fairly reasonable at the time of writing, making Prague one of the more attractive “football trip turned mini-Europe adventure” routes currently available.
London To Leipzig By Rail
Leipzig Hauptbahnhof is one of the best connected railway stations in Germany and it is entirely possible to travel from London to the final purely by train.
The most efficient routes tend to run via Brussels and Frankfurt, with total journey times coming in at around 10 hours depending on connections.
And whilst rail prices have naturally risen around the final dates, there is undeniably something quite romantic about the idea.
I love nothing more than a sporting trip across Europe involving trains, stations and awkward platform changes… and this really does feel like one of those journeys.
Just imagine you are starring on Race Across The World and the prize waiting at the finish line is a European trophy.
Berlin — Big City Alternative
Berlin could ultimately become one of the smartest options of all for Palace supporters.
The German capital sits just over an hour away from Leipzig by train and offers a significantly larger choice of hotels, nightlife and transport connections.
For supporters wanting to combine the final with a wider city-break experience, Berlin may offer the best balance between atmosphere, practicality and flexibility.
And thanks to Germany’s excellent rail network, supporters can comfortably travel between the two cities without needing to rely heavily on internal flights or complicated transfers.
Accommodation In Leipzig
Unlike Istanbul, Leipzig is a far more manageable city to navigate, which means supporters have slightly more flexibility when deciding where to stay.
However, hotel prices in central Leipzig are already beginning to rise quickly around the final dates, particularly close to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof and the Old Town areas where supporters are most likely to gather.
And this is where Germany’s rail network could become particularly useful.
Nearby cities such as Halle may emerge as smart alternatives for Palace supporters looking to reduce accommodation costs whilst still remaining within easy reach of the stadium and fan festival areas.
Berlin may also become a popular accommodation base for supporters wanting to combine the final with a longer city-break, especially given the fast and reliable rail links between the two cities.
Ultimately though, Leipzig may quietly be the most accessible and achievable of the three European finals for English supporters this season.
Particularly for those travelling without tickets simply to be part of the atmosphere surrounding Crystal Palace’s first ever European final.
If you’re thinking about following your team across Europe this May, hopefully this guide has helped make the journey feel a little more possible, whether you have a match ticket or simply want to be part of the atmosphere in Budapest, Istanbul or Leipzig.
I’ll continue sharing more sports travel guides, ticket intel and matchday experiences from around the world here on Sports Travel Tom.
You can also follow the journey on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok @sportstraveltom.
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