A study in Spain found that the price of a family holiday increased by up to £96 for each degree of heat increase. Researchers calculated how much the prices of various holiday destinations rise as the weather warms during peak season to help families save money.
Looking at the cost of flights from London and accommodation in Benidorm, Spain, for two adults and two teenagers, a week-long trip for four in May with temperatures of 22 degrees would set you back £803 per family for seven days. However, this increases to £1,570 in August when the mercury reaches 30 degrees Celsius. That is £96 per degree.
Families who choose to travel to their favorite destinations outside of peak weather times can save an average of £231 for each drop in temperatures to spend on other aspects of their trip, including activities with the kids, eating out and shopping.
This doesn’t mean compromising on the sun. A week’s holiday for a family of four in Florida costs £2,100 in May, when the thermometer typically reads 29 degrees. However, in August, when the average temperature rises by just 2 degrees from 31 degrees, this figure almost doubles to £4,043. This means that each degree adds up to £972.
The study was commissioned by the Post Office and also found that a mild temperature of 24 degrees in May set the cost of a trip to Cyprus for a family of four at £737. This rises to up to £1,272, or £89 per degree, for a week in 30-degree heat in July.
Greece is one of the more affordable options, with a family paying around £1,793 at 28 degrees in August, but just £1,285 at 23 degrees in May.
This comes after a survey of 2,000 travellers, found that four in 10 people planning a holiday this year were planning to travel in the ‘off season’. Some of the reasons included lower overall costs (58%), fewer tourists (51%) and quieter journeys to destinations (37%). One in ten (11%) saved more than £400 by traveling outside of peak season.
Additionally, 42% appreciated the ease of traveling outside of peak season, and 51% said they could enjoy peaceful times with fewer tourists.
Laura Plunkett, head of travel at the Post Office, which commissioned the research to mark the launch of the Travel Money card across all 11,500 branches nationwide, said: The same goes for the memories we make while we are apart. Budgeting for your annual holiday can become increasingly difficult, especially if you’re traveling with children who are limited to peak season prices due to school holidays. But there are smart ways to save money during the holiday season.
“Our research shows that families can enjoy a hot holiday at a cheaper price if they consider traveling during the October half term. In fact, a Cyprus holiday costs £321 less in October than in August, and it’s still a balmy 25 degrees. Families considering Florida can save £406, even in October when temperatures are 29 degrees. “This is just 2 degrees colder than in August.”
Another popular way that 77% of travelers have found to save money is to avoid peak weekends and fly during the week.
The study also found that 87% of travelers prefer to spend their trips abroad in warmer climates. A whopping 85% have already traveled or are planning a trip this year, with Spain (31%), Italy (15%), France (14%) and Greece (14%) being the most popular destinations. .
September (18%) is the month when adults are more likely to go on holiday, while August remains popular at 14% despite being the peak of summer holidays.
However, the cost of holidays can limit family travel, with almost half (44%) of families feeling unable to travel over the school holidays, with 44% wanting more affordable travel options.
Research conducted via OnePoll found that the average adult traveling abroad would spend around £773 on a week-long trip to a country with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
Laura Plunkett added: “People spend a lot of time and effort trying to find bargains on flights and accommodation, and off-season booking can be a smart way to maximize your holiday experience while staying within your budget.
“But booking at the right time is just one way holidaymakers can save money. It’s also important to think carefully about how to get the most out of every dollar you spend. Expenses are often left until the last minute, leaving you exposed to low interest rates or unexpected card fees. Another way to maximize your vacation budget is to keep an eye on exchange rates and take advantage of travel or prepaid cards when the rates are good.”
