Flights are expensive, airports are stressful, and holidays abroad aren’t always as relaxing as they promise to be. So, it’s worth asking a simple question: are UK staycations actually a better option?
In recent years, I’ve made a conscious effort to explore more of the UK – and I’ve been surprised by just how much it has to offer. From dramatic coastlines and mountain landscapes to historic cities and quiet countryside, there’s far more here than most people realise.
In this article, I’ll break down whether staycationing in the UK is really worth it — including the costs, the benefits, and the trade-offs compared to travelling abroad.
Why the UK has more to offer than you think
Remember, holidaying in the UK means no need for passports, travel insurance, currency exchange or any of the other admin that comes with travelling to another country. The travelling is also a lot less stressful. Using your own car rather than going through airport security and driving on familiar roads.
And there’s no language barrier (although English – being the global language – is spoken well in many countries, so this shouldn’t be a barrier to you travelling abroad). Plus there’s the opportunity to visit friends and family on the way.
Personally, I hate the stress of flying – waking up early to make sure you get to the airport on time, organising airport transportation or airport parking, weighing luggage, checking in, making sure there’s no liquids or other illicit items in your hand baggage, going through security, and then waiting through the rigmarole at the gate and on the plane before takeoff. And then on the other side, you seem to do it all again! This is perhaps the biggest motivation for me to holiday at home in the UK.
Is it cheaper to holiday in the UK?
Perhaps. There are a lot of inexpensive package holidays offered to resorts in Europe and north Africa, often in countries with a lower cost of living compared to the UK. So, they can undercut equivalent UK offerings. For example, I flew to an all-inclusive resort in Bodrum, Türkiye last year for five days, and the entire holiday cost ~£540 per person.
However, it really depends on where you go and what you do. A hiking and road trip holiday around the Alps is going to be at least as expensive (probably more) than doing the same in Scotland. Some countries are expensive to visit – Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries in particular. Obviously, intercontinental holidays are going to ramp up the cost due to air fares, but certain countries (like Thailand, below) have a low cost of living, so everything will be cheaper once you get there.
While cheap package holidays abroad can sometimes undercut UK trips, once you factor in flights, airport transfers, baggage, and spending money, the gap often narrows. For many people, the biggest saving isn’t always money – it’s time and simplicity.
Road trips are the best way to explore the UK
I love a road trip. I’ve driven thousands of miles across North America and across the UK, on various road trips over the years, and I’m a firm believer that travelling by road is the best way to see a country. This way, you get to discover what a country is really like – not just the glammed-up touristy bits.
You can take your own car and spend a week (or even two or three weeks) exploring a certain part of the country. How about a couple of weeks driving around the North Coast 500 in Scotland – the UK’s greatest road trip? Taking your own car is the cheapest way to do this, but you could always hire a nicer car or a motorhome if you wanted to spend a bit more.
Why UK staycations are perfect for long weekends
You’d be surprised at how much you do in 2, 3 or 4 nights within the UK. Shorter travel times vs travelling abroad really matter for short holidays, and this is where staying within the country really pays dividends. Everybody within the UK lives no more than 2 hours from beautiful outdoor scenery or the coast, and often only a few hours (or in) a major city. The point is, you don’t have to travel very far to find a suitable holiday for you.
You can still enjoy the Sunday before work without worrying too much about travelling back home, or being tired the next day. You won’t need to book an extra day off work to ensure you can rest before you go back to work!
What about the British weather?
Ah, we’ve arrived at the elephant in the room. The Great British weather! We’ve all lived in this country long enough to know what it’s like, so we shouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t behave how we want it on our staycation. But that doesn’t mean you should let it ruin your holiday. Learn to adapt to it.
This means actually checking the weather forecast before you go – so you aren’t surprised. A word of caution – weather apps can only be trusted to a certain degree (perhaps relevant for only 5 days ahead) – beyond this they are subject to the difficulties of distilling a fundamentally chaotic atmosphere into a single temperature or symbol – they’re probably going to be wrong. So watch a long-range TV weather forecast, or even learn how to read weather models properly on free websites like WXCharts.
*Useful tip: watching models over multiple days (and preferably looking at different models over multiple days) will give you a much better idea of the confidence of certain weather conditions occurring. Professional meteorologists also make use of ensemble model weather simulations, but these generally aren’t available to the general public (and provide far too much information to the layman anyway).
I always take a rain jacket and suncream with me whenever I go on holiday in the UK. They tend to come out in equal measure! If there is a particularly poor day of weather expected, find indoor activities to do – a museum, swimming pool, board games, cooking – or just brave it outside in the knowledge that you may get cold and wet. The weather really has the potential to make your holiday miserable when you’re not expecting it. As long as you keep an eye on the forecast and come prepared, there shouldn’t be an issue.
I also find it helps to have low expectations in advance. That way, I’m not disappointed if the weather is terrible, and I’m pleasantly surprised if it is actually sunny and warm. It’s all about expectations.
Also, bear in mind that there’s no guarantee the weather will be better wherever you go on holiday abroad – perhaps more chance than the UK, but no guarantee. I’m sure we’ve all been abroad somewhere and the weather has not been great – while it’s been glorious back home. Oh the FOMO!
Are UK staycations worth it in winter?
Yes, I get it, there’s not much pleasant about the UK during the winter. Occasionally there’ll be a few sunny days, and even rarer there’ll be snow and sun to make the landscape look picture-postcard pretty. But such weather actually makes travel and holidaying more hazardous, and most of the time it’s too wet, cold and dark to holiday in the UK during winter.
Even the most hardy outdoor folk would have to agree with this. Of course you could still get the hat, coat and gloves on and brave the outdoors, but personally I tend to work more in the winter and save my holidays up for the warmer half of the year.
That’s not to say there isn’t still plenty of hotels and accommodation available in the winter. A city break works very well at this time of the year, while there’ll be lots of cosy cottages/ huts to find on Airbnb if that’s your thing.
Why staycations have become more popular
Ever since Covid, staycationing in the UK has become more popular. During Covid, more people realised there was beauty to be found at home too. And many holiday destinations have realised it too. Post-Covid, there’s been a sharp increase in costs for holidaying in the UK, due to a combination of increased demand, inflation and staff shortages.
Taking your staycation during the school holidays is going to be a lot busier (and more expensive) than during term-time. I realise that a lot of people don’t have a choice in this matter, but if you don’t have kids, booking outside of the school holidays is a good idea.
In conclusion
So, are UK staycations worth it for most people?
In many cases, yes – especially if you value simplicity, flexibility and lower-stress travel. While they won’t always be cheaper than the very cheapest package holidays abroad, they often offer better overall value when you consider time, convenience, and experience.
The UK is far more diverse and interesting than most people give it credit for. You don’t need to fly halfway across the world to find beautiful landscapes, great food, or memorable experiences.
Sometimes, the best trips aren’t the most exotic – they’re the ones that are easiest to take.
And often, they’re right on your doorstep.
FAQ
UK staycations can be well worth it, especially if you value convenience and lower stress. You avoid airports, long travel days, and additional costs like baggage and transfers. While some package holidays abroad may appear cheaper upfront, UK trips often offer better overall value for shorter breaks. With diverse landscapes, historic cities, and coastal destinations, the UK provides plenty of variety without the need to travel far.
It depends on the type of holiday. Budget package deals abroad can sometimes be cheaper due to lower living costs in certain countries. However, UK staycations can be more cost-effective when you factor in no flights, less spending on eating out, and the ability to self-cater. Short breaks in particular tend to be better value within the UK due to reduced travel costs and time.
The UK offers a wide range of destinations depending on your preferences. The Scottish Highlands are perfect for dramatic scenery and road trips, while Cornwall and Devon offer beautiful beaches. The Lake District and Snowdonia are ideal for hiking, and cities like York, Edinburgh, and Bath provide rich history and culture. There’s something for everyone within a few hours’ travel.
Yes. With minimal travel time, you can make the most of a 2-4 day trip without losing time to flights or airport logistics. This makes them perfect for long weekends or spontaneous getaways. You can explore new areas, relax, and still return home without needing extra recovery time before getting back to work.
The main downside is the unpredictability of the weather, which can impact outdoor plans. Accommodation prices can also be high during peak seasons, particularly in popular areas. Additionally, some people may prefer the guaranteed sunshine and different cultural experiences offered by travelling abroad. However, with good planning and realistic expectations, many of these drawbacks can be managed effectively.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the article.
Here’s some others you may like:
- The Best UK Staycation Destinations
- Cheap things to do on Holiday (and at the Weekend)
- Stop Procrastinating and Start Building your Dream Life
- The Major Money Milestones as you Build Wealth
- Why cash back is better than Clubcard and Nectar points
* I spent 9 months living in the US during my year studying abroad when at university.
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