Ongoing international travel restrictions have resulted in another busy summer for UK camping, caravan and staycation providers. In many cases, though, this heightened demand means soaring prices and limite
In some cases, holidaymakers have claimed UK staycation costs have set them back almost double what a European beach break might have.
According to BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours, some holiday cottages on offer by Sykes Holiday Cottages during the summer holidays in popular areas are as much as £8,000 for a week.
Yet, in a year where many Britons have faced tightened purse strings, these sky-high prices might be out of reach.
According to Craig Anderson, an expert from CouponHunt.org, saving money could be as simple as booking on a specific day of the week.
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While families may be tied to weekends and school holidays, those who are without children should aim to be flexible with their dates.
“For those without children, travel off-peak times,” said Mr Anderson.
“Holidays are a lot cheaper during the week and in school term times.
“If you do have children, during the week can be cheaper than at the weekend.”
Flexibility is also useful when picking your destination.
“If you’re looking for a popular city or seaside holiday, choose accommodation slightly further away,” said Mr Anderson.
“This could result in a lower price but a better value.”
Yet, even with these tips, the cost of summer travel is pricing out many families.
Research from Which? suggests that prices for UK holidays have risen by more than a third this summer.
Kat Lee, chief executive of charity the Family Holiday Association, also pointed out UK holidays have never been a cheap option.
“I think the major cost of a holiday abroad used to come from the travel but that hasn’t been the case now for at least 30 years so I think that is a rather outdated perception,” she told You and Yours.
“Pre-pandemic times it wouldn’t be unusual for a week at a low-cost all-inclusive resort in the Mediterranean to cost less than a week in a cottage at the British seaside,” she said.
“So not being able to travel abroad this year doesn’t mean that families are getting a cheaper holiday than in the UK.”
