UK staycations top the charts for unexpected family holiday costs

Staycations in the UK are the most expensive holidays in terms of unexpected family holiday costs for more than a third of people, a new study shows.

Two in five (39%) people reported that domestic holidays add the most extra costs, with 11% saying Spain and 7% the US.

The poll by Asda Travel Money found that the highest total spend came from those holidaying with 16-18 year olds, at a price of £1,393, while those with a child aged between 0-5 spent the least (£693).

Costs omitted from pre-holiday budgeting really hit home to UK families, according to the research.

Families spend £491 on unexpected costs of food, activities, accessories and gadgets for children – with the pre-teen age bracket of 6 -12 year olds being the most expensive at £577.

Clothing was to costliest surprise extra holiday cost, followed by mobile phone charges at £125 and the latest tech gadgets to keep children amused on journeys at £101.

Almost three quarters of people (74%) agree that summer is the most expensive time of the year for a holiday.

The average extra spend for holidays during summer compared to other times of the year is £213.

As a result, 24% said they will stop taking their child on paid holidays when they reach 18, although 48% say they believe there is no age limit for taking their child on holiday.

As many as one in ten (12%) have had to cancel a family holiday in the process of planning due to the associated costs involved, a figure that rises to nearly 28% for Londoners.

More than half (56%) worry about the costs of taking a child on holiday, and two in five (39%) feel pressure to do so.

Neil Foster, head of Asda Travel Money, said: “Families have enough on their plate without the burden of escalating holiday costs hanging over them.

“Our research highlights some of the things that can so easily drop off the priorities list but are likely to add to the final bill.

“Last year Asda Travel Money research showed that a third of Brits were staying at home for their summer holidays, however as this data shows staycations also come with their own costs, many of which are easily overlooked.

“For those families who are heading abroad they do still need to ensure they are getting the best value for money.”