OV9

How much do people actually pay for a European beach holiday? For the past few years we've been camping in France. Two weeks, ferries, campsite, fuel, all food and all other spending for a family of four, has consistently cost about £3400.

Fancying a change, I just looked at a hotel in Greece that we'd booked in 2020 but got cancelled due to Covid - the kids have mentioned they'd like to go there.
At the time, 10 nights, family room, half board in August 2020, inc flights, £3195.
Today, 10 nights, family room, half board in August 2026, inc flights, £5370.

What. The. Fuck.
Is this how much people pay these days? That's with a £500 promotional discount as well.

Crazy isn’t it. 4 years ago we went to some shitty all inclusive in spain, in term time and it was around £2.2k for the 3 of us for a week or so. A few years later we looked again, and the same place for a week in school holiday time was £4.5k!

There’s no fucking way i’m spending that sort of figure to go to spain and we ended up spending more (but comparatively not that much more imo) to go to MUCH better places. Dominican Republic was <£6k for 10x the experience and even the Maldives was less than twice the shitty spain cost for an amazing holiday.

We’re doing European locations in the van for the next few years though. Everyone loved the France trip last year and it was great having full control over the itinerary and what we could take with us. Italy or Netherlands this year i expect.

I've left it very late then last two years and seen significant drops in prices. The only challenge has been, some preferred options being more limited.

Agreed, not paying that amount for a week in Europe but there are indeed people doing it, I know a few. It's mental.

Not having kids gives me the ability to book in term time so obviously it’s far far cheaper

I’ve found love holidays cheap, but the flight options aren’t always the best, and you have to be careful as it will occasionally try and send you home to a different airport. Never had to deal with complaints though so no idea what it’s like if you have a problem

If you’ve got a few airports around you it’s worth trying different ones as it can make a significant difference. I have Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford and Manchester all within reach

We tend to do more city breaks than beach holidays-My last trip was flights and an Airbnb. Obviously not without its risks

Idea. Any recommended campsites on Holland or Germany? Electric hook up, clean pool and toilets, plenty of hot water for showers and washing up.

Rich B wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 6:47 am Crazy isn’t it. 4 years ago we went to some shitty all inclusive in spain, in term time and it was around £2.2k for the 3 of us for a week or so. A few years later we looked again, and the same place for a week in school holiday time was £4.5k!

There’s no fucking way i’m spending that sort of figure to go to spain and we ended up spending more (but comparatively not that much more imo) to go to MUCH better places. Dominican Republic was <£6k for 10x the experience and even the Maldives was less than twice the shitty spain cost for an amazing holiday.

We’re doing European locations in the van for the next few years though. Everyone loved the France trip last year and it was great having full control over the itinerary and what we could take with us. Italy or Netherlands this year i expect.

Thanks, looking further afield isn't a bad idea.

jamcg wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 7:47 am Not having kids gives me the ability to book in term time so obviously it’s far far cheaper

I’ve found love holidays cheap, but the flight options aren’t always the best, and you have to be careful as it will occasionally try and send you home to a different airport. Never had to deal with complaints though so no idea what it’s like if you have a problem

If you’ve got a few airports around you it’s worth trying different ones as it can make a significant difference. I have Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford and Manchester all within reach

We tend to do more city breaks than beach holidays-My last trip was flights and an Airbnb. Obviously not without its risks

Thanks. Yep, a few airports within reach. Did Airbnb in New York so open to that idea.

Shlergen wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 7:14 am I've left it very late then last two years and seen significant drops in prices. The only challenge has been, some preferred options being more limited.

Agreed, not paying that amount for a week in Europe but there are indeed people doing it, I know a few. It's mental.

Ta. Some friends went to Lapland before Christmas, and go to a Malta all-inclusive each year. I"ll see how much they're happy to pay.

We do short weekends now, big holidays in one place are stupid and am never impressed.

We will do Japan with the kids in October half term but purely as it's a dream destination for the boys.

The idea of going somewhere in Spain and spending 5k just seems like you're being butt fingered by TUI.

Dave!

JonMad wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 7:51 am

Rich B wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 6:47 am Crazy isn’t it. 4 years ago we went to some shitty all inclusive in spain, in term time and it was around £2.2k for the 3 of us for a week or so. A few years later we looked again, and the same place for a week in school holiday time was £4.5k!

There’s no fucking way i’m spending that sort of figure to go to spain and we ended up spending more (but comparatively not that much more imo) to go to MUCH better places. Dominican Republic was <£6k for 10x the experience and even the Maldives was less than twice the shitty spain cost for an amazing holiday.

We’re doing European locations in the van for the next few years though. Everyone loved the France trip last year and it was great having full control over the itinerary and what we could take with us. Italy or Netherlands this year i expect.

Thanks, looking further afield isn't a bad idea.

Yeah, dominican republic is the cheapest caribbean place if you want an all inclusive beach holiday and the resorts are pretty amazing to be fair. It’s far easier to justify a big sum to yourself if it’s taking you to the caribbean too!

Yes its all silly money these days isn't it with the jump in air fares being a big factor as well.

I definitely agree with the thinking of looking further afield. I would consider SE Asia generally. Given the low cost of accommodation and food I'm certain that the all in cost of somewhere in Thailand / Vietnam, etc. could be done for lower than an all inclusive in Europe even taking into account the higher cost of flights and nice as Spain/Italy/France is they can't compete with the experience. I do also remember one year doing a stint at Centerparcs in half term and a trip to Malaysia over the summer and Centerparcs per day was more expensive than a suite in the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur...

I'm also feeling the sharp end of this right now as we've just come back from a ski holiday between Christmas and New Year. We don't ski (but were going primarily so my son can start to learn) so had to buys shedloads of kit and the cost of everything is mental across kit hire, £70pp per day lift passes, etc.

ETA: Some of the recent cost was a fun SUV hire car which I need to do a write up of... and before Ian asks no it wasn't a G-Wagen

I haven't been to Europe for a while but had vaguely noticed the prices going up. It doesn't feel long since you could get a week for two (not school holidays) for well under a grand including flights and reasonable hotel.

Hotel rates have definitely risen a lot (I used to think £300/night was what rock stars paid but now it's pretty common as a standard rate) which I think is a major part of it.

GG. wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 9:36 am
I'm also feeling the sharp end of this right now as we've just come back from a ski holiday between Christmas and New Year. We don't ski (but were going primarily so my son can start to learn) so had to buys shedloads of kit and the cost of everything is mental across kit hire, £70pp per day lift passes, etc.

ETA: Some of the recent cost was a fun SUV hire car which I need to do a write up of... and before Ian asks no it wasn't a G-Wagen

Ive got a works ski trip to Val Thoren next week, i’m trying skiing this time having been snowboarding quite a few times in my 20s.

The kit required is pretty epic. I’ve spent £600+ on just the basic jacket/trousers/helmet/goggles/gloves - then there’s ski hire/lift pass/etc… before you even factor in the actual holiday cost (which thankfully work are paying!)

You're all doing it wrong, last time I went to Italy I paid about £150 for return flights and about £50 a night for a little private villa overlooking the sea

Yep, we've always booked Flights separately and got our own Villa.

Last time was before Covid 2018 - 3 Flights to Alicante were about £1000 and we got a 3 bed villa in a complex, rented directly form the owner, for 2 weeks for £1,200. No private pool but 3 different pools in the complex, including one that was just "Deep End" which was great craic for diving and messing about

So just over £2k for 2 weeks in a fairly quiet little locals type place

dinny_g wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 11:02 am Yep, we've always booked Flights separately and got our own Villa.

We've done this for the last couple of years and it's worked well / decent value. However this year is the first year we'll have to contend with school holidays. Just gonna leave it late I think.

Going further afield makes a lot of sense, but we just haven't been able stomach the long travel with a 5 year old. We decided against Greece and Italy last year as the flight times from our local airport were less than perfect! Might have to change tack in future and suck up a grumpy kid to go further and get better value.

Camping in France is also something I've thought about as I have fond memories as a kid, but I imagine all in it's not much cheaper and we're not big Francophiles anyway.

It's something I've always wanted to do but never got around to.

There's a EuroCamp down south near Hossigor where each Tent is set up in your own little grass patch section of the Sand Dunes. Private ish etc. You can "Order" bikes, kayaks, the whole 9 yards. Boulangerie van and every morning etc and a central Pool, Bar and Restaurant complex.

The basic price was OK but by the time you add all the bells and whistles, it did add up.

Then that Volcano in Iceland went off and we didn't go ahead with it.

Edit - I noticed almost Zero Price changes for Italy between August and September so I don't think it's as price sensitive to the UK School Holiday season if that's a consideration

duncs500 wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 11:34 am

dinny_g wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 11:02 am Yep, we've always booked Flights separately and got our own Villa.

We've done this for the last couple of years and it's worked well / decent value. However this year is the first year we'll have to contend with school holidays. Just gonna leave it late I think.

Going further afield makes a lot of sense, but we just haven't been able stomach the long travel with a 5 year old. We decided against Greece and Italy last year as the flight times from our local airport were less than perfect! Might have to change tack in future and suck up a grumpy kid to go further and get better value.

Camping in France is also something I've thought about as I have fond memories as a kid, but I imagine all in it's not much cheaper and we're not big Francophiles anyway.

My little boy loved flying - we went to spain first because we were concerned he wouldn’t manage well, but he’s been happy on 8-10 hour flights, though he stole my noise reducing headphones on the last one!

School holidays are a massive bind - both cost and calendar dates. it’s just the way it is though for a few years….

Gavster wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 10:55 am You're all doing it wrong, last time I went to Italy I paid about £150 for return flights and about £50 a night for a little private villa overlooking the sea

Yep, that’s the difference when you’re paying for a whole family and including all the costs of the holiday.

it must have been one hell of a walk to get from the airport to your coastal villa for free!

dinny_g wrote: Fri Jan 09, 2026 11:02 am Yep, we've always booked Flights separately and got our own Villa.

Last time was before Covid 2018 - 3 Flights to Alicante were about £1000 and we got a 3 bed villa in a complex, rented directly form the owner, for 2 weeks for £1,200. No private pool but 3 different pools in the complex, including one that was just "Deep End" which was great craic for diving and messing about

So just over £2k for 2 weeks in a fairly quiet little locals type place

Before COVID is a while ago now - prices for accommodation have gone up a bit.