UEFA Euro 2028 · UK & Ireland
Getting between host cities.
Six of the eight host cities are connected by direct rail from London. The seventh, Dublin, isn’t – and that one’s worth planning for separately.
Flying in from abroad
It’s a European championship, so most travelling fans are coming from elsewhere in Europe – and that’s the easier story.
Fly direct, not via London
Cardiff, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Glasgow all have direct flights from major European cities, not just the bigger hubs. Check your own host city’s airport before assuming you need to connect.
Well connected from the continent
Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, and other major European hubs connect directly to most UK and Ireland host cities, via both budget carriers and full-service airlines.
Book early for matchdays
Budget carrier seats on popular routes sell out fast around fixture dates. The earlier you book once your team’s dates are confirmed, the better the fare.
Flying from further afield
If you’re coming from North America, the Middle East, Asia, or beyond, three airports give you the best long-haul connections: Heathrow (the safe global default, with direct flights from almost everywhere), Manchester (a genuine second gateway with direct routes to the US, Middle East, and parts of Asia), and Dublin (surprisingly the best-connected host airport for North American visitors specifically, with over 20 direct US routes).
If your nearest long-haul gateway isn’t your host city, the onward leg is usually a short connecting flight or a rail journey – see below for typical times from London.
From London by rail
London is the natural hub for most international arrivals, and direct trains reach six of the other seven host cities. Times are approximate fastest direct journeys – book in advance for the best fares.
Dublin is the exception
There’s no through train to Dublin – it’s across the Irish Sea. Most fans either fly (most UK airports have direct Dublin connections) or take a ferry from Holyhead or Liverpool.
Build extra time into a Dublin leg of any multi-city trip, and check flight or ferry schedules well ahead of matchday.
Booking tips
A few things that consistently make UK rail travel cheaper and smoother.
Before you travel
- Advance fares are typically far cheaper than booking on the day – tickets usually go on sale around 12 weeks ahead.
- Off-peak tickets (avoiding roughly 06:30-09:30 and 16:00-19:00 on weekdays) are usually cheaper than peak fares.
- Railcards (16-25, 26-30, Two Together, Family & Friends) knock around a third off most fares if you qualify.
- Matchday trains sell out fast on big fixtures – the earlier you book once your travel dates are set, the better.
*Journey times are approximate fastest direct services as of 2026 and may change before 2028. Always check current timetables closer to travel.