UK holiday accommodation is two fifths pricier than last year, data reveals

Revealed: UK holiday accommodation is two fifths pricer than it was last year

• The price of accommodation during the Easter half-term break has shot up by 43% in some areas over the last 12 months, new research reveals
• Plymouth is the worst-affected area with prices jumping from £79 a night to £139 a night – followed by Coventry, Leicester and Oxford
• Across most locations, prices peak on the 1st April – right at the start of the Easter holidays this year – making it the most expensive time to get away \

The price of Easter half-term holiday accommodation has increased by up to 43% in some parts of the UK over the last 12 months, according to new research. 

The findings, pulled together by Online.Casino, found that the average holiday rental has increased in price by 21% compared to last year, with Plymouth, Coventry and Leicester most affected by the price increases. 

Despite staycations anticipated to rise this year as Brits look to save money rather than going abroad, accommodation costs mean a cheap stay is out of the question.  

As the February half term gets underway, short-term rental analyst AirDNA has released their projections for Easter 2023 based on bookings already made for the March break.

The average holiday let cost £112 a night when booked through Airbnb or Vrbo over the Easter break last year, which has now risen to £136 – representing a 21% increase. 

This means holidaymakers can expect to pay over £800 for a week-long stay – not including cleaning and service fees – compared to just over £670 last year. 

In Plymouth, per-night prices have soared from £97 to £139 (up 43%), whilst Coventry prices have jumped from £96 to £130 (35%), and Leicester is up from £71 to £94 (33% increase). 

Nightly rates in Belfast and Oxford have also jumped by 30% or more over the last year, as hosts increase prices to manage the cost of living crisis and post-pandemic rise in demand.

Although booked average rates typically decrease as a date gets closer – especially if hosts put on last-minute offers – families planning an Easter getaway will have to compete against others who are also looking to take advantage of the school holidays.  

Average nightly rate in Easter holidays 2022 compared to the upcoming Easter break 

1. Plymouth, £97; £139 – up 43%
2. Coventry, £96; £130 – up 35%
3. Leicester, £71; £94 – up 33%
4. Oxford, £128; £168 – up 31%
5. Belfast, £121; £159 – up 31%
6. London, £156; £201 – up 29%
7. Cambridge, £123; £158 – up 28%
8. Liverpool, £108; £138 – up 28%
9. Nottingham, £100; £127 – up 27%
10. Cardiff, £113; £141 – up 24%
11. Edinburgh, £122; £149 – up 22%
12. Newcastle, £102; £125 – up 22%
13. Sheffield, £96; £116 – up 21%
14. Bristol, £128; £153 – up 20%
15. Hull, £83; £98 – up 19%
16. Stoke, £92; £110 – up 19%
17. Manchester, £120; £140 – up 17%
18. Brighton, £148; £172 – up 16%
19. York, £136; £155 – up 15%
20. Southampton, £104; £116 – up 12%

Other cities that have seen an increase in accommodation costs over the last year include Birmingham and Reading (up 12%), Leeds (up 10%), and Northampton (up 8%). 

Outside of the price hikes, the most expensive location to visit this Easter is London, with a nightly stay costing £201, followed by Brighton at £172 a night, and Oxford (£168 per night).

Brits looking to stick to a £100-per-night budget will have to choose between visiting Hull (£98) or Leicester (£94), whilst Portsmouth has seen the biggest price hike at just 7%.

Prices also fluctuate based on when demand peaks, with Brighton jumping to a staggering £249 a night on the 14th April – the weekend before kids go back to school – and Liverpool bookings soaring in price by a further £113 on the same date, up to £251 a night.

Most expensive cities to visit this Easter

1. City of London – £201 a night
2. Brighton – £172 a night
3. Oxford – £168 a night
4. Belfast – £159 a night
5. Cambridge – £158 a night
6. York – £155 a night
7. Bristol – £153 a night
8. Edinburgh – £149 a night
9. Cardiff – £141 a night
10. Manchester – £140 a night

Based on these prices, people can expect to pay around £978 for a week away when booking at peak times – most of which will fall in early-mid April (1st-11th) this year.

Speaking on the data, Online.Casino said: “Many families will be looking forward to getting away as the weather gets better, particularly if they didn’t manage to go away during the February half term – a time at which costly energy bills are still a factor.

“It’s shocking to see that a week away this Easter will set you back £800 for accommodation alone – especially given so many of us consider staying in the UK to be cheaper than heading abroad. It’s increasingly important to check for deals as far in advance as you can if you’re planning to get away, in order to avoid surge prices and last-minute increases.

“Flexibility can help save money too, as opting for a Thursday-Saturday stay rather than Friday-Sunday can see you benefit from cheaper accommodation costs – although we know families are bound by their school holiday dates, so this isn’t an option for everyone.”

The research also found that the cost of renting an Airbnb for Easter is almost twice as expensive as a hotel room, with the average hotel priced at just £75 a night across the UK.  

Credit to online.casino who provided the above post.