A great holiday does not have to cost a fortune. Some destinations simply give you far more for your money, with cheaper flights, accommodation, food and activities that let your budget stretch further. This guide rounds up the best value holiday destinations for British travellers, where prices are kind both before and after you arrive, so you can enjoy a brilliant trip without overspending and come home without the financial hangover.
What value really means
Value is not just about the cheapest flight. The true cost of a holiday includes accommodation, eating out, drinks, transport and activities once you arrive, and a destination with a low flight price but expensive day-to-day costs can work out dearer than a slightly pricier one where everything is cheap on the ground. The best value destinations keep costs low across the board. Our guide on planning a holiday on a budget explains how to weigh up the full picture.
Turkey
Turkey is one of the best-value sunshine destinations for British travellers. Its long Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines offer beautiful beaches, all-inclusive resorts and warm seas, while food, drink and activities are noticeably cheaper than in much of Europe. Because Turkey is outside the eurozone, your money often goes a long way. Add a fascinating blend of cultures and the captivating city of Istanbul, and Turkey delivers a lot of holiday for the money, making it a firm favourite for families and sunseekers on a budget.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers some of the best value in Europe, both on its Black Sea coast in summer and at its ski resorts in winter. Beaches, resorts, food and drink all come at prices well below western European levels, making it ideal for families and groups watching the budget. The Sunny Beach area is geared towards affordable beach holidays, while the historic towns and mountains offer more. For a cheap-and-cheerful sunshine or ski trip without sacrificing the essentials, Bulgaria is one of Europe's standout bargains.
Greece in the shoulder season
Greece offers excellent value, especially outside the peak summer weeks. Eating out is famously affordable, and visiting in the shoulder seasons of late spring or early autumn brings lower prices on flights and accommodation along with warm weather and smaller crowds. The islands and mainland alike reward off-peak travel. Our guide on the cheapest time to go on holiday explains how to make the most of these quieter, cheaper periods, when Greece is arguably at its best for value-conscious travellers.
Portugal
Portugal combines reliable sunshine and beautiful beaches with prices gentler than much of western Europe, particularly for food and wine. The Algarve offers great-value family beach holidays, while Lisbon and Porto are among the more affordable European city breaks. Travelling outside peak summer brings further savings. With its mix of beaches, culture and excellent, affordable food, Portugal consistently offers strong value for a wide range of trips, which is a big part of why it has become such a popular choice for British holidaymakers.
Spain outside peak season
Spain is reliably good value, and even better outside the busiest summer weeks. The mainland Costas offer affordable family beach holidays, self-catering keeps costs down, and the shoulder seasons bring lower prices with lovely weather. The Canary Islands extend the value into winter. Our Spain holiday guide covers the regions, but as a dependable, well-connected and affordable sunshine destination, Spain remains one of the best value choices for British travellers, whether you want a budget break or a more comfortable trip for less.
Eastern European city breaks
For a culture-packed break that costs little, eastern Europe's cities are unbeatable. Prague, Budapest, Krakow, the Baltic capitals and others offer stunning architecture, rich history and a lively atmosphere at prices, especially for food and drink, far below western Europe. A long weekend exploring one of these cities can cost a fraction of a comparable trip elsewhere. Our guide to the best European city breaks for a long weekend highlights the standouts for a cheap but memorable getaway.
Tunisia and North Africa
North African destinations like Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco offer warmth, beaches and culture at excellent value, with all-inclusive resorts that keep costs predictable and low. Outside the eurozone, your money stretches further, and the short-haul flights keep travel costs down too. These destinations bring a change of culture and climate without a long-haul price tag. As always, check current FCDO travel advice before booking, but for sunshine and great value with a more exotic feel, North Africa is well worth considering.
Southeast Asia for long-haul value
If you are willing to fly further, Southeast Asia offers extraordinary value. Once you arrive in Thailand, Vietnam or their neighbours, accommodation, food and activities cost remarkably little, so although the flight is a bigger outlay, day-to-day spending is very low. On a longer trip this can work out cheaper than a shorter holiday closer to home. Our guide to the best long-haul destinations has more on the region, which offers some of the best value anywhere for adventurous travellers.
How to get the best value anywhere
Wherever you go, a few habits stretch your money. Travelling outside school holidays and peak weeks, being flexible on dates and airports, booking at the right time, choosing self-catering and eating where the locals do all make a big difference. Comparing the true total cost, not just the headline price, keeps you honest. Our guides on the cheapest time to go on holiday and planning a holiday on a budget bring these tactics together.
All-inclusive for a predictable budget
One of the easiest ways to keep a holiday affordable and predictable is to go all-inclusive, especially in value destinations like Turkey, Bulgaria and Egypt. With flights, accommodation, meals and drinks bundled into one price, you know your costs upfront and avoid nasty surprises, which is reassuring for families in particular. The savings can be significant in places where eating and drinking out would otherwise add up. Our guide on whether all-inclusive holidays are worth it weighs up the pros and cons to help you decide if it suits your trip.
Avoiding hidden costs
Even a cheap-looking holiday can be spoiled by hidden costs, so it pays to watch for them. Baggage fees, airport transfers, resort fees, tourist taxes, pricey excursions and poor exchange rates all eat into a budget. Reading the full terms before booking, packing within the baggage allowance, sorting your travel money sensibly and budgeting for extras keep the real cost in check. The best-value trip is one where there are no unwelcome surprises, so totting up the true total before you commit is the simplest way to protect your budget.
In short
The best value holiday destinations include short-haul favourites like Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal and Spain, especially off-peak, eastern European cities for cheap culture, North Africa for exotic value, and Southeast Asia for outstanding long-haul value. Real value means low costs both before and after you arrive, so look beyond the flight price to the whole trip. Travel off-peak, stay flexible, choose all-inclusive where it helps, watch for hidden costs, and compare the true total, and you can enjoy a wonderful holiday for considerably less than you might expect.
Find more budget-friendly ideas in our Destinations guides.