Think a UK ‘staycation’ is cheaper than going abroad? Here’s how prices have gone up on everything from fish & chips to car hires

The cost of many UK staycation staples have risen drastically over the years (Picture: Getty)

The cost of living crisis – we know, it’s pretty much all you’ve heard about lately.

But the sad reality is the rising cost of, well, everything – from your everyday grocery essentials to bottles of wine and household bills – is impacting people on a daily basis.

For many households, that’s being particularly felt this summer. Many might not be able to go abroad for their traditional holiday, choosing instead to weigh up the options of a UK holiday.

While it might seem cheaper initially, is it actually? Or is it better to consider cheaper holiday destinations abroad?

From the classic fish and chips seaside dinner to a UK hotel stay and even a bottle of lager, the cost of everything you’d associate with a cheap and cheerful British getaway is on the up.

It ain’t cheap to stay in Blighty (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

The Guardian has compared the average prices of an array of items or expenses, looking at the typical cost in 2018 to June 2023.

One of the biggest expenditures would be booking a hotel.

The cost per night for a UK hotel stay has gone up 33.8% since 2018 and will now cost you £28.47 more per night.

Say you want to eat out while on your holiday – as so many naturally do – that will also cost you 30.1% more.

The average cost of a restaurant meal has gone from £11.41 in 2018 to £14.84 in 2023.

Even car hire in the UK has shot up, costing you on average £34.62 more than it did in 2018. Average costs for car hire now sit around £82.31, 72.6% more than it was in 2018 (£47.69).

Those seagulls can be damned – fish and chips aren’t cheap anymore! (Picture: Getty)

As for other rising staycation costs:

A bottle of lager costs on average £0.77 more (+22.6%)

A cup of coffee in the morning will set you back about £0.63 more (+26.8%)

Even your beach read is more expensive, costing about £1.21 more (+18.2%)

While some of these costs seem small, they’ll soon add up. Which makes you think, is it actually cheaper to look for an all-inclusive deal?

That way, you’re not counting every meal and every drink and fretting about the final bill.

MORE : The cost of living in the UK is higher than ever – but which is the most expensive country in Europe?

MORE : Try this simple trick to save you hundreds on your summer holiday

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A staycation might not be the cost-saving alternative you had in mind