Jumat, 08 Juni 2012

Is holidaying in Britain really cheaper than going abroad?

Is holidaying in Britain really cheaper than going abroad?

By Simon Lambert

PUBLISHED: 10:25 EST, 6 June 2012 | UPDATED: 12:01 EST, 7 June 2012



The case for heading somewhere sunnier for your holidays is certainly a lot easier to make when you have just sat through a drab and cold long weekend in June.

Bad weather happens, of course, and it’s not just those who head to Cornwall who are at risk of a rainy week â€" as anyone who has suffered the worst the French Atlantic coast can throw at you will testify to.

But after a number of years in which holidaying in Britain and the staycation have been put forward as the way to save money, a piece of research this week showed that cost conscious holidaymakers could be forgiven for turning their back on this country and its dodgy weather.

Glorious: The beauty of the Cornish coast can match scenes from anywhere around the world, says Simon Lambert, just don't expect it to be cheaper - or sunny

Glorious: The beauty of the Cornish coast can match scenes from anywhere around the world, says Simon Lambert, just don't expect it to be cheaper - or sunny

It said that while holidaying in Britain may have much going for it, it’s actually more expensive. [Staycations could prove expensive option for holidaymakers this summer].

The only problem was that it fatally undermined itself by picking a week in London during the Olympics as the cost comparison to going abroad.

In my mind this is obviously going to be expensive, what I’d rather see is a good comparison of a week in Cornwall or Devon against a week overseas.

The reason I'd like to see that is because I suspect that while the research was a bit rubbish, the assertion is true.

Having been lucky enough to do a fair bit of travelling the world and also spent a reasonable amount of time visiting parts of our own fair country, I can say that while there may be many good reasons to holiday in Britain, saving money is not one of them.

Here are a few examples I have encountered in recent times, beyond the obvious last minute package deal bargains to be had.

I have paid more per night to stay in a grotty Travelodge in Tunbridge Wells when needing a place to stay after a friends' wedding than I have to stay in a hotel on the Italian Riviera.

I have paid more to stay in a pub BB in the middle of winter in Alston, on the wrong side of Cumbria, ie not the Lake District one, than I have to stay in a much better quality BB in a ski resort in the Austrian Alps.

I have also paid much more to stay in a Gloucestershire house than I have to rent an apartment to soak up the sun in the South of France.

And bar the example of South of France*, going out to eat and drink in all of those British places was no cheaper and often more expensive than it was abroad.

I'm not saying they were better, just that the idea that holidaying in Britain is automatically cheaper is a fallacy.

Of course, you have to factor in travel, although even then some budget flights or a cheap ferry do not raise the cost much, and I have not touched on the rampant school holiday profiteering by travel firms.

But then on the flipside, what price do you put on the sun shining during your rare bursts of holiday of the year.

To settle the debate, in the spirit of very unscientific research, I thought I’d ask This is Money readers their views.

Tell us whether you really think a holiday in Britain is cheaper in reader comments below.

* Author's note: The South of France can feel like the most shatteringly expensive place on the planet. The cheapest thing in one restaurant we had lunch in was a plate of pasta with butter. It cost €13. However, this was undeniably our own stup id fault, the restaurant was on the beach, the menu was clearly displayed with prices, and we could have found somewhere much more reasonable that matched the prices you could find in Cornwall, for example.


Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

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I can vouch that a holiday in the UK is - if you compare like for like - far more expensive. Give me a holiday abroad any day. This country is now run as a scam with sky high prices - however it is not always the fault of the holiday industry when you factor in the cost of taxes.

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I would sooner stay at home than holiday anywhere in this country, its expensive and a big gamble on the weather especially if you have children that need to be entertained in bad weather it can cost you a fortune.

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It depends entirely on what sort of luxury you are after. With the access legislation in Scotland it is perfectly possible to wild camp in some amazing places. I've had holidays that cost no more than a tank of petrol and food.

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the last 2 years my family stay in uk for holidays we rent a cotatge from cottages 4 you what rip off £1000 per weeks and very poor accommodation no value per money from now on this year south france cheap and good bay holidays in uk

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In a word -- NO

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Does reading the DM really tax you imagination.

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Well, for a start, you are ripped off almost everywhere you look in England......look at what you have to pay to PARK almost anywhere.....?? How about the criminally high cost of FUEL...? How about bus and train FARES..? No...... tis much cheaper here in Spain for instance.

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We recently decided on a coach holiday to Cornwall. Taking into account the coach fare, the food at the hotel (half board) which wasn't brilliant, and the cost of drinks in the local pubs in St. Ives (£4.50 for a pint of Stella lager), I think I can say unequivocably that it is not cheaper to holiday in the UK, after spending £900 for a week when we could have gone on a last minute A/I holiday to Spain or Turkey for less than this. Add to that the weather was mixed and the only saving grace was that they opened a Witherspoons pub during the week in St. Ives where we spent a few pleasant evenings and actually didn't feel like we were being ripped off. Everyone else must have thought so too because it was packed whilst the other £4.50 a pint venues were totally empty !

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We are planning another week in the Lakes this year, as it will work out much cheaper than last years drive to the South of France. Shame the weather is a bit of a lottery though!

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Just one look at the BBC weather forecast sends a shudder down my spine! Go to France, the country, people, roads weather are great.

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