British families could save hundreds of pounds by jetting off to Europe for Christmas rather than booking a UK staycation, according to new research. It showed festive breaks in Poland, Germany, Estonia, Georgia, and France can cost £948 for a family of four.
That’s compared to more than £1,600 for a lodge holiday in the UK. And it seems plenty of people have already caught on to this money-saving trick.
Around 4.7 million Britons chose to travel abroad for Christmas in 2024. The findings from travel money specialists eurochange revealed that assumptions about pricey foreign festive trips might be completely wrong. The experts pulled data from Skyscanner and Booking.com to calculate how much a trip could cost abroad versus in the UK.
The data found families can fly to Poland with beautiful accommodation for £727 less than the cost of a UK lodge break. Zakopane offers brilliant value at just £948 total for a family of four, according to the data.
Poland’s Zakopane offers brilliant value at just £948 total for a family of four
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Flights start from £84 per person, with five nights’ accommodation from £264 for the whole family between December 23 and 28.
This ski resort sits in the gorgeous Tatra Mountains, creating a real festive atmosphere. Travel experts describe it as having “a remote feel but is very accessible” and noted that “the Christmas markets are filled with regional foods like oscypek (smoked sheep cheese), mulled wine, and local crafts”.
Germany’s Cologne costs £1,090 for a family of four, with flights from £156 per person and accommodation starting at £545. The city is famous for its Christmas markets, especially the main one with the Cathedral backdrop.
Estonia’s Tallinn comes in at £1,168 for a family of four, with flights from £183 per person and accommodation from £436. The city’s old town looks like something from a fairytale, especially at Christmas.
Travel experts point out that “the Christmas market in the Town Hall Square claims to be one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to 1441”, where visitors can try “traditional Estonian snacks including blood sausage, sauerkraut, gingerbread and mulled wine”.
Georgia’s Kakheti region costs £1,671, while France’s Courchevel totals £1,102 for families. Kakheti offers mild temperatures and wine-tasting experiences, whilst Courchevel provides an Alpine Christmas complete with “ski schools for children, ice-skating, dog sledding and Christmas markets with live entertainment”.
Laura Evans-Fisk from eurochange said: “People tend to assume that travelling abroad at Christmas comes with a hefty price tag, but our research shows that you can actually spend a lot less compared to booking a UK staycation.
Tallinn in Estonia is another affordable option
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“For example, you can fly the family to Poland and stay in beautiful accommodation for £727 less than the price of a lodge in the UK.
“If the price of travelling abroad over Christmas has been putting you off, then it’s time to think again.”
The research highlights how flights can be found for as little as £84 per person to destinations like Courchevel, Cologne and Zakopane.
