The cheapest places for a summer sun holiday

Simon Ward
by Lovemoney Staff Simon Ward on 20 June 2012  |  Comments 12 comments

The classic package holiday destinations are trumped when it comes to adding up the total cost of a break, according to a new survey.

The cheapest places for a summer sun holiday

If you’re planning to head to sunnier climes this summer, you should pick your destination carefully if you want to save on both your holiday and your costs while you’re there.

A new survey by Post Office Travel Money found that a couple on a three-star European B&B package holiday could save as much as £457 by opting for a cheaper region.

The survey also found that people’s perceptions of the best value places were very different to the reality. The Spanish Costas and Turkey were picked as the best value destinations by those surveyed, but Portugal and Bulgaria actually came out top.

Destination

Cost of package holiday

Cost of food and drink

Total holiday cost

Portugal

£686

£217.98

£903.98

Bulgaria

£750

£205.12

£955.12

Majorca

£716

£276.31

£992.31

Corfu

£676

£343.85

£1,019.85

Spain

£758

£330.36

£1,088.36

Turkey

£818

£317.18

£1,135.18

Cyprus

£878

£270.48

£1,148.48

Croatia

£990

£370.98

£1,360.98

The food and drink costs included: seven evening meals, including wine; one cup of coffee per person per day; one small bottle/can of Coca-Cola per person per day; and one beer/lager per person per day.

So while Corfu is the cheapest place to get to, once you're there it will cost far more than any other destination except Croatia.

Over two-thirds of the people surveyed said they would switch destination if it meant a cheaper holiday.

Do costs play a big part in where you holiday? Or do you choose on the destination alone? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.

More on travel and holiday money

How to have a holiday for less

The best way to pay for your holidays

Foreign currency exchange: don't get ripped off on your holiday money

Should you pay for a buy back rate when exchanging currency?

The best debit card to use abroad

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Comments (12)

  • eLJay
    Love rating 77
    eLJay said

    I can get an all inclusive for less than those!

    As for York, well it would be like having a busmans holiday, I am English and don't feel the need to visit the rest of England, we went to York for a friends Wedding and as with most places in England, if we really want to see them we can fit them into a long weekend. I will be ignoring the Government and BA's advice this year and will be heading to Italy (£120 flights and £440 hotel for a week for two) and then hopefully a beach holiday later in the year.

    Report on 27 June 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • duncanw
    Love rating 1
    duncanw said

    i agree with the comment about only having one beer/coffee/meal a day whilst on holiday,try doing that in spain or italy during july or august and you`ll end up with dehydration!!!

    Report on 25 July 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves

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