REVEALED: Festive staycations up to 420% more expensive than weekend breaks in January

• New research reveals festive staycations are up to 420% more expensive than a weekend in January
• Analysis of nine UK holiday resorts shows ALL stays were more expensive than the same accommodation in January, with an average increase of 183% for a family of four
• FairFX warns Brits thinking of booking a staycation to plan ahead and consider alternative dates to avoid paying above the odds

New research by travel money experts, FairFX, into the cost of staycations during the festive break has revealed prices rocket by an average of £228 for couples, and £554 for a family of four, compared to just one month later.

The research comes as Brits opt for UK-based trips to avoid the threat of national lockdowns and ever-changing travel corridors. FairFX is urging people to do their research and plan ahead where possible, showing there are big savings to be made just by looking at alternative dates.

Staycation price hikes

Comparing the cost of a three-night stay at nine different UK holiday resorts including Centre Parcs, Forest Holidays and Butlins, FairFX found that the cost of a trip taken during the festive break cost an average of 141% more for couples, and 183% more for a family of four, compared to stays at the same accommodation on the last weekend in January.

Comparison of costs for two people

BUTLINS
Resort	Term Time Trip 29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021	Christmas Break Trip   30 Dec 2020 – 02 Jan 2021	% Increase	£ Increase
Minehead	£115	£597	419%	£482
Bognor Regis	£110	£542	393%	£432
Skegness	£284	£431	52%	£147

FOREST HOLIDAYS
Resort	Term Time Trip 29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021	Christmas Break Trip  18 Dec  –  21 Dec 2021	% Increase	£ Increase
Forest of Dean	£590	£1,610	173%	£1,020
Deerpark	£410	£560	37%	£150
Ardgarten Argyll	£480	£610	27%	£130

CENTRE PARCS
Resort	Term Time Trip 29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021	Christmas Break Trip   30 Dec 2020 – 02 Jan 2021	% Increase	£Increase
Whinfell Forest	£439	£1,349	207%	£910
Woburn Forest	£499	£1,399	180%	£900
Longleat Forest	£529	£1,349	155%	£820

For couples or friends in the same household hoping to head off on a festive break during the school holidays this December, FairFX’s research revealed the average price increase across the 9 locations researched came in at £228 – 141% higher than the cost of a term-time weekend break at the same resort in January.

The highest increase was found to be at Butlins’ Minehead resort, where a three-night trip in a standard room over the New Year would set you back £231 – a huge 420% more than the same length stay over the last weekend in January which would cost just £55 for two people.

Meanwhile, at Centre Parcs’ Whinfell resort, a three-night stay over the festive period costs £749, a huge £430 more than the same break in January, priced at £319.

Comparison of costs for family of 4

BUTLINS
Resort	Term Time Trip 29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021	Christmas Break Trip   30 Dec 2020 – 02 Jan 2021	% Increase	£ Increase
Minehead	£55	£286	420%	£231
Bognor Regis	£53	£260	391%	£207
Skegness	£136	£207	53%	£71

FOREST HOLIDAYS
Resort	Term Time Trip 29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021	Christmas Break Trip  18 Dec  – 21 Dec 2021	% Increase	£ Increase
Deerpark	£410	£560	37%	£150
Forest of Dean	£590	£720	22%	£130
Ardgarten Argyll	£590	£710	20%	£120

CENTRE PARCS
Resort	Term Time Trip 29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021	Christmas Break Trip   30 Dec 2020 – 02 Jan 2021	% Increase	£Increase
Whinfell Forest	£319	£749	135%	£430
Longleat Forest	£449	£859	91%	£410
Woburn Forest	£299	£599	100%	£300

Analysing the same nine resorts, FairFX’s research revealed the savings for families of four could be even bigger for trips taken during term-time, even when planned over a weekend. The average cost increase for a three-night stay across the nine locations was a shocking £554 – an increase of 183% on average.

Butlins’ Minehead resort again revealed the biggest price hike with a three-night stay over New Year setting holidaymakers back £597– a staggering 419% more expensive than a comparable trip in January, priced at just £115.

Families heading to Forest Holidays’ Forest of Dean resort could also be paying over £1,000 more during the festive break than they would if they took the same trip in January, with the term-time trip costing £1,020 less and 174% cheaper than a month earlier.

The smallest price increase was found at Forest Holiday’s Ardgarten Argyll resort in Scotland, where a three night staycation over the Christmas break was still £130 more expensive – an increase of 27%.

Ian Strafford-Taylor, CEO of FairFX, said: “It’s no secret that trips are more expensive during the school break, and time and time again we see this play out for overseas holidays. But our research has found that those opting to holiday closer to home are also falling victim to these price hikes, with some forking out hundreds, and potentially even thousands of pounds more for a staycation during the Christmas break than they would for exactly the same accommodation just a few weeks later.

“With many opting to stay in the UK this year as a result of the ever-changing travel restrictions, the potential confusion around Brexit and the new national lockdowns, British holidaymakers will be wanting to get the best deal they can.

“While many will understandably be reluctant to take their children out of school, our research shows that even when opting for dates over a weekend, they could knock hundreds off the price of their trip simply by waiting a few weeks.

“If you’re thinking of booking a winter staycation it’s worth keeping an eye on last-minute offers or considering whether you’d be happy to wait a few weeks to get more for your money. It’s also vital that people check the cancellation policy of their booking, to ensure they’re not left out of pocket if rules and regulations change.

“Holidaymakers should also consider checking whether they have unused currency on travel cards that could be used towards their trip in the UK. In fact, last year we revealed customers we’re coming home from their holiday with an average of £177 of leftover currency, which could be reused for a trip closer to home this winter.

“Although FairFX has never charged customers for card inactivity, some providers do so it’s worth making sure you’re not about to lose out to dormant fees. FairFX customers are also able to use their multi-currency card without any hidden fees for purchases in the UK where they can also earn at least 3.5% in cashback at some top high street retailers.”