How to save on UK Holidays

While UK holidays are convenient - and generally better for the environment than jetting overseas - they can work out suprisingly expensive. 

Accommodation costs have spiralled, especially in popular holiday hotspots like Devon and Cornwall. Plus the unpredictable weather often means more time visiting local attractions, with extra bills for food and drink soon mounting up. 

But by following our top tips and making a few small changes, you can make sure your UK getaway doesn't break the bank this year.

Video: five ways to save on your UK holidays

1. Choose your destination carefully

Where you choose to stay has a bigger impact on accommodation prices than you might think. Our research in spring 2023 showed that you can save hundreds just by basing yourself in a slightly less fashionable, but still beautiful, part of the country. At Easter, a family of four would have saved £250 by choosing a self-catering holiday in the Peak District over the Lake District. However, Shropshire was the cheapest region overall. The average price of a week’s stay, in a property sleeping up to six people, was £657 - nearly £300 less than the Lake District. 

Got your heart set on one location? Consider staying just a few miles down the road. We found that holidaymakers can save more than £400 on a week's hotel stay by using this simple trick. 

We compared the likes of Dartmouth with Salcombe and Tenby with Saundersfoot - and savings were between £24 and £59 per room, per night. Read the full report to find the bargain alternatives to 10 popular UK locations.

2. Shop around for hotels 

When booking hotel accommodation — shop around. Check price comparison sites, such as Travelzoo or Booking.com, and always contact the hotel directly to see if they have any good deals.

You may not always be offered a better price, but a free breakfast or evening meal discount will perhaps be added to your room package. It’s worth a try.

Joining the free loyalty scheme of a chain hotel or a hotel booking website can also reap rewards. Points could earn you discounted rates, a room upgrade, spa credits and a late check out.

3. Avoid big events 

When big sporting events, festivals and gigs are taking place locally, you’ll find yourself paying over the odds for accommodation because demand is higher.

For example, bedrooms in Cheltenham during the Gold Cup horse race meeting can be almost six times higher (compared to one week later). You could also save 60% on a B&B in Milton Keynes if you arrived the week after the nearby Silverstone Grand Prix.

Check local tourist board websites for upcoming events before you book and - unless you want to attend - plan your trip accordingly.

4. Share your cottage with another household

Consider buddying up with friends or family members: self-catering accommodation for four or more often works out cheaper per adult than smaller alternatives. 

When we checked, a one-bedroom Airbnb in St Florence, near Tenby, was £573 for a week in September. In comparison, a cottage sleeping six (plus room for two children), cost £584. That works out just £292 per household - a saving of £281. 

Looking for a UK self-catering break? See which cottage companies you can trust.

5. Look for attraction vouchers and deals 

Keep an eye out for visitor attraction deals. Discounts can be found on tourist board websites and on daysoutguide.co.uk, in association with National Rail (meaning you need to travel by train to qualify). Heading to Brighton? A couple could save £22.50 with 2-for-1 entry to the Sea Life aquarium. 

For attraction saver passes, just do the maths beforehand to ensure you'll see enough sights to make it worthwhile.

Discover the best-rated historic attractions in the UK

6. Dine out at lunch

Don’t be put off by a restaurant’s budget-busting a la carte menu. Instead, check whether they offer any set menu deals earlier in the day: you can often enjoy the same cuisine and attentive service for a fraction of the price.

Chain restaurants, such as Cote Brasserie, also offer excellent deals for early diners.

7. Earn points on your weekly shop

Supermarket loyalty schemes, like Tesco Clubcard, have linked up with a number of accommodation and attraction providers - ideal for shoppers who want their holiday budget to go further.

Save up every time you shop: every Clubcard point is equivalent to £1. However, if you use them with a Tesco Rewards Partner - such as Pizza Express and Legoland Windsor - they are worth three times as much (so 50p converts to £1.50). 

Find out the best rated destinations for accommodation, food, attractions and more with the best city breaks in the UK.

8. Book your car hire through a broker 

Customers can often save money when booking with a car hire broker rather than direct with the rental company, Which? research has found. The best brokers also throw in extras for free.

Use Which? Recommended Provider Zest Car Rental, recognised for its pricing transparency and customer service – and you’ll get excess reimbursement insurance and, often, a second driver free of charge. 

When we looked for a week’s hire in Glasgow, Zest quoted £203 with Dollar, which included an additional driver. The same hire booked direct was £268 - so £65 more.