AD| Staycation or vacation? The pros and cons

Are you dreaming of getting away? We all need a break from time to time, and many of us look forward to our holidays all year round. With staycationing on the rise however, will you be heading for Cornwall or Croatia this year?

UK holiday searches and bookings in early 2019 were up by a third on 2018, for the most part due to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. Combined with a weak pound since the 2016 EU referendum and an increasingly packed cultural calendar, it’s no surprise that more of us are staying at home.

But what are the pros and cons of holidaying in the UK versus going abroad?

Price     

For a lot of families, price is the most important factor in a holiday. Especially for families who are trying to carefully manage their budgets. There’s no question that flights abroad can be expensive, especially if you’re travelling during the school holidays. Yet, if you take your children out of school to go on holiday, you could face a fine. With luggage costs, transfers to and from your hotel and possibly kennel or cattery bills on top, travelling overseas can soon add up. 

That being said, you may find that your money goes further once you’re there. Much of eastern Europe, for example, can work out incredibly cheap in comparison to the UK for food, drink and transport.

Travel time 

Travelling in the UK is simpler for the most part. There’s no need to spend hours researching flights, and you’re likely to know the roads and rail network better, making planning your journey an easier task. And as long as your children are happy in the car, you can save a lot of money when you don’t have to factor in flight costs.

The travel time itself however depends where you’re starting from. If you live in the north, for example, Scotland or the Lake district are much more accessible than Cornwall, while much of Europe is easily reached within a one to three-hour flight. 

Weather 

Despite the occasional heatwave here in the UK, it almost goes without saying that you’ve got a better chance of sun if you head abroad. Countries such as Spain, Turkey and France have long been popular with holidaymakers for their almost guaranteed warmth, while a week in Wales could put you at much greater risk of a washout. 

Activities

It depends on what you want to do, of course, but going abroad opens up opportunities for experiences you maybe wouldn’t otherwise have. Water sports for example can be a lot more appealing in the Mediterranean than a wind-battered beach in the UK.

Other activities, such as visiting a new country’s famous landmarks and trying new cuisines can also be exciting. On the other hand, if you stay at home, the UK has no shortage of things to do. Whether it’s history and culture, stunning views or the thrills and spills of a theme park, the UK has it all and there’s bound to be a part of it that you haven’t yet explored. 

Where’s it going to be? 

Ultimately, whether you holiday at home or away will depend on the kind of break you’re looking for, so it’s well worth making a wish list before you start looking.

If you’re looking for a cheap and easy family weekend somewhere familiar, a staycation could be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you want to experience a different culture somewhere sunny, it may be time to set sail.  

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