You’re planning a budget break. You’ve looked into flights and hotels. But what about everything else?
The new annual Post Office Travel Money report tots up the cost of a ‘tourist basket’ of eight holiday staples in 42 top-choice destinations for British tourists.
Thanks to the resurgent pound, more than three-quarters of the list is cheaper than last year.
BUDGET BULGARIA
Bulgaria easily retains its top spot as the cheapest destination for Britons. One of the most popular resorts on the Black Sea’s ‘Bulgarian Riviera’ is Sunny Beach, pictured
A table showing the cost of a ‘tourist basket’ of eight holiday staples in the 10 cheapest places for British tourists around the world
A former Soviet country that hasn’t yet joined the euro, Bulgaria easily retains its top spot as the cheapest destination on the list.
One of the most popular resorts on the Black Sea’s ‘Bulgarian Riviera’ is Sunny Beach. You can get a dinner for two with wine for £22.15.
WHO GOES: Hyperactive teenagers. A few Russians and Scandinavians.
HIGHLIGHTS: Sunny Beach’s huge water park. The cobbled streets and churches of Unesco World Heritage Site Nessebar.
HOW TO GET THERE: Wizz Air (wizzair.com) has return flights to Varna from £50. Then it’s two hours by bus to Sunny Beach.
TURKISH DELIGHT
A weakened lira means the pound will take British tourists a long way in the beach resort of Marmaris in Turkey, pictured
With the lira weakened by political instability, your pound will take you a long way in the lively beach resort of Marmaris on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast.
WHO GOES: Katie Price, apparently. And Rio Ferdinand recently got married there.
HIGHLIGHTS: The mysterious rock tombs in the ancient city of Kaunos. A full hammam steam treatment, at just £30.
HOW TO GET THERE: EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies to Dalaman from £150 return. Transfer is an hour-and-a-half by car.
SPORTING TOKYO
Years of economic stagnation have made Tokyo tempting thanks to its bargains. Japan’s capital has seen prices fall by 13 per cent
Despite hosting the Rugby World Cup last year, and the Olympics this summer, Tokyo has seen prices fall by 13 per cent. Years of economic stagnation have made Japan’s capital tempting thanks to its bargains. It’s the cheapest long-haul destination on the list.
WHO GOES: Everyone. Lady Gaga even has ‘Tokyo love’ tattooed on her shoulder.
HIGHLIGHTS: The magical Shinjuku Gyoen gardens.
HOW TO GET THERE: British Airways (ba.com) flies to Tokyo from £564 return.
PERKY PORTUGAL
Portugal is the best-value eurozone destination, with the Algarve coastline, pictured, likely to remain the most popular area
A weak economy and low minimum wage make Portugal the best-value eurozone destination. The southern Algarve coastline will likely remain the most popular area.
WHO GOES: Ant and Dec, Wayne Rooney and Bonnie Tyler have all bought boltholes here.
HIGHLIGHTS: The beaches. The seafood. Ria Formosa natural park, with its flamingos.
HOW TO GET THERE: EasyJet flies to Faro from £27 return.
COSTA DEL SOLD
The Costa del Sol, pictured, has a swathe of beaches and marinas and its golf links have a loyal fanbase
Since the financial crisis, Spain has lowered prices to attract tourists. The Costa del Sol’s swathe of beaches, marinas and golf links have a loyal fanbase.
WHO GOES: A surprising mix. Rod Stewart has a home in the same glittering development as Vladimir Putin.
HIGHLIGHTS: The city of Malaga, with its Picasso museum and atmospheric old quarter.
HOW TO GET THERE: EasyJet flies to Malaga from £50 return.
CHEAP TOWN
Thanks to the weakness of the rand, Cape Town is still surprisingly affordable despite it being a little more expensive than last year
Cape Town is a little more expensive than last year, but thanks to the weakness of the rand, this bustling port city is still surprisingly affordable.
WHO GOES: The Beckhams have a holiday home in the nearby town of Llandudno.
HIGHLIGHTS: Table Mountain, obviously. The corniche drive of Chapman’s Peak, which takes you to Boulders Beach to swim with penguins.
HOW TO GET THERE: British Airways flies direct from around £609 return.
GOING, GOING, SAIGON
Vietnam is now 14 per cent cheaper than last year. One of its most popular spots is Hoi An, pictured
Thanks to fluctuations in the currency, Vietnam is now 14 per cent cheaper. One of the most popular spots is the friendly beach resort of Hoi An.
WHO GOES: Anyone who loves great beaches and tasty food.
HIGHLIGHTS: Dazzling An Bang beach. The temples. The lager.
HOW TO GET THERE: Vietnam Airlines (vietnamairlines.com) has direct flights to Hanoi from £546 return.
BARGAIN BALI
The cost of the eight tourist staples in Bali, pictured, is £61.43. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian visited last year
The island of Bali in Indonesia has been overtaken by Hoi An as the list’s best-value long-haul beach holiday destination. But it’s still a steal.
WHO GOES: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian visited last year.
HIGHLIGHTS: The sunset. The Hindu temple perched on the rock at Tanah Lot.
HOW TO GET THERE: China Southern Airlines (csair.com) has non-direct return flights from £444.
CZECH THIS OUT
The cosmopolitan city of Prague in the Czech Republic, which is another former Soviet country that has yet to embrace the euro
Another former Soviet country that has yet to embrace the euro, cosmopolitan Prague is still a surprise entry.
WHO GOES: Lovers of baroque architecture, gothic churches, and playing chess in cafes while drinking excellent beer.
HIGHLIGHTS: The majestic Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert.
HOW TO GET THERE: Ryanair (ryanair.com) has return flights from £31.
CUT-PRICE CYPRUS
The beach resort of Paphos, on the west coast of Cyprus, is popular with celebrities such as Shakira and Peter Andre
The beach resort of Paphos, on the west coast of Cyprus, offers the perfect combination of sun, sea and classical culture.
WHO GOES: Shakira and Peter Andre own properties nearby.
HIGHLIGHTS: The beach at Coral Bay. The Tombs of the Kings. Aphrodite’s Rock, said to be the birthplace of the goddess of love.
HOW TO GET THERE: Ryanair has return flights from £44 return.
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