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Cost Of The Average Holiday (UK Versus Europe)
The cost of the average holiday in the U.K compared to one in Europe can only be a guesstimate, but, most surveys seem to point to a difference of about a £1,000. In other words, it’s about a grand extra to travel from these shores.
Now, of course, if you worked hard, you could get a holiday cheaper abroad than one here, but how most of these surveys work is to take an average family and plan an average holiday in an average U.K. and an average European destination, over about a fortnight. It can be hotel accommodation, or self-catered, but its geared to give the traveller an idea as to the difference in costs.
And this might surprise many, given the number of cheap flights available and the seemingly high cost of accommodation in the U.K., but if you break down the surveys even more, it’s apparent that travel and accommodation are the key items behind the bigger bill for overseas holidays.
Take an obvious example. A family of four usually has to have four seats on the plane. That’s four basic fares, four lots of taxes and four lots of possible surcharges. Add to that the good chance that two of the party are children which may have to go at the peak of the season and at sensible times; in other words, the most expensive times.
Contrast that with the family getting in the car in the U.K. and trolling off to their destination. Even using the formula of the actual cost of motoring, roughly 40p a mile and not just the cost of fuel – it can still be a lot cheaper than taking to the skies.
Same with accommodation. What you think might be cheap abroad compared to a place in the U.K., can often work out more expensive, especially when you consider the extras such as fuel costs and bedding.
Another factor to consider, especially in these economically gloomy times, is that the cost of the average holiday is on the up and by quite an amount. The increase in oil, a strengthening euro over the pound and reduced capacity is all adding to the grief, with some experts reckoning on an average increase of £400 over the cost of an equivalent holiday last year.
But, of course, there is another view. The economy might be doing a viable impression of a meltdown, but for next year at least, there will be bargains to be had. History shows that just because an economy slows down, it does not mean that everything is switched off, the doors closed and everyone goes home. Things still happen; people still eat and people still take holidays.
So it might well be that with some careful planning of your budget and times, you can get the deal of the century.
The cost of the average holiday in the U.K compared to one in Europe; its cheaper to stay at home, but then again, how many cream teas can you stand?
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