News of flight prices rising in recent days has dominated – but not all holiday costs are soaring in the same way.
While you might think all aspects of travel are reaching new heights, it turns out one key option is even cheaper than before.
Package holidays are bucking Britain’s inflation trend, with holidays £110 cheaper on average than a year ago.
It comes after travel experts have been urging Brits to book their summer flights now or face soaring prices as the economic impact of the Iran war continues to bite.
This week, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is set to rise – but according to a leading package holiday provider, the price of holidays departing in May, June and July are almost 10 per cent cheaper than they were last year.
On the Beach price matched 11,500 deals in April, leaving in the next three months, and on average holidays were £110.67 cheaper.
Caspar Nelson, holiday expert at On the Beach said: ‘Every day prices seem to be going up, petrol, energy and mortgages to name a few, but in April, deals for holidays departing in the next three months are cheaper than last year.
‘This is a rare, sunny spot for consumers right now and our advice is quite simple, now is the right time to book and lock in your price, take advantage of these deals while they are still working in your favour.’
According to On the Beach, 69 per cent of holidays are currently cheaper than last year, resisting the recent trend of increasing costs.
On the Beach gathered the data by comparing its current April deals with the exact same holidays a year ago, including the same flights, hotels, board basis, hold bags and passengers.
Thousands of deals came in cheaper, including holidays to Turkey, Egypt, the Canary islands and Spain.
According to the data, the biggest saving comparing to last year was for deals to Turkey in May, which came in 16 per cent cheaper on average.
Egypt and Spain were up to 13 per cent cheaper for May deals.
Turkey and Egypt were also coming in low for June and July, with holidays averaging 9 per cent less than the exact same deals as last year.
For example, a seven-night, all-inclusive stay at the five-star Solivia Hotel in Antalya, with flights leaving from Birmingham on Friday 8 May, costs just £770 for two adults.
This exact holiday is £128 cheaper than it was last year.
Meanwhile, a seven-night, all-inclusive stay at the five-star Swandor Topkapi Palace in Antalya, with flights leaving from Birmingham on Sunday 3 May, costs just £1,140 for two adults.
Are rising flight prices making holidays unfairly exclusive, or do package deals level the playing field?
This exact holiday is £215 cheaper than it was last year.
In Greece, a seven-night, all-inclusive stay at the five-star Mythos Palace Hotel in Corfu, with flights leaving from Birmingham on Thursday 14 May, costs just £964 for two adults – £258 cheaper than last year.
And a seven-night bed and breakfast stay at the five-star Mediterranean Palace Hotel in Tenerife, with flights leaving from London Stansted on Wednesday 6 May, costs £1,170 for two adults. This exact holiday is £181 cheaper than it was last year.
It comes after airline tickets for long haul flights have already reportedly risen by an eye-watering £300.
But experts are warning that short haul flights to destinations such as the sunny Mediterranean could rise within weeks.
While oil prices did fall last week after Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now ‘completely open’, Tehran has since announced the crucial waterway is once again shut after the US refused to lift what Iran describes as a naval blockade of its ports.
Ongoing global uncertainty and recent constraints on fuel supply have pushed up the cost of jet fuel, contributing to rising flight prices.
Flight Centre’s booking data shows that eastbound fares to Asia and Australia have risen significantly by 29 per cent, while westbound routes to North America, the Caribbean and Mexico have risen just 5 per cent.
Plus, winter bookings for Australia are already up over 20 per cent.
