Good weather is top priority for Brits seeking autumn holiday - ahead of value

23 October 2023 , 12:16

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Chasing good weather is the top holiday priority for this year, ahead of good value for money (Image: John Keeble/Getty Images)

One in three Brits (32%) are looking for cheap autumn holidays abroad, with good weather named as the most important factor – overtaking last year's top travel priority of finding the best value for money, research has found.

A study of 2,000 adults has revealed that spending on getaways is bouncing back – as staycation trips have fallen by 21% this year, compared to last year.

And holiday budgets have seen an increase of up to 10%, with travellers willing to spend up to £1,015 for their 2023 holiday – compared to an average of £927 in 2022.

However, nearly two-thirds of those polled (64%) are still mindful of the economic climate – with a quarter looking to avoid high prices by travelling outside of peak season.

October and November were named as the most popular months to enjoy a getaway, according to the research, commissioned by HSBC UK – to mark the launch of its new cash offer for new customers opening both a current and a Global Money account.

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And a third are seeking cheap holidays abroad, as staycation trips fall by over 20% compared to last year (Catherine Falls/Getty Images)

Simon Calder, travel journalist and broadcaster, said: “This surge shows the insatiable appetite for travel. The last few years have been very difficult for many reasons – but we are now seeing more people willing to invest in enriching experiences.

“Our appreciation of travel has intensified after the pandemic – as the saying goes, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

“The desire to create lasting memories is prompting individuals and families to prioritise holidays – and specifically, to seek out activities, local cuisine, and culturally immersive tours.

“But while this is happening, costs are still on holidaymakers’ minds – as many are strategically ditching the summer months in favour of October and November.

“I will be travelling extensively in Europe over the next few weeks. In the southern Mediterranean, the sun is still shining and the sea is warm. The crowds have vanished, and the prices are dwindling too.

“By opting for travel during the autumn, you can enjoy the last of the summer sunshine in the south – and, in the poetry of John Keats, the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” in the north. And all without breaking the bank.”

However, while many are still choosing cheaper getaways abroad, HSBC UK is warning about fees when spending overseas with debit cards.

Many mainstream debit cards charge a transaction fee of between 2.75% and 2.99% on spending abroad – meaning that, by spending €1,000, travellers could be charged up to £25 in fees.

And using a debit card to withdraw cash overseas also typically comes with a cash handling fee of around 2%, or a minimum of £3 – so using a cash machine five times while in Europe, withdrawing €200 a time, the fees would total around £42.

Pella Frost, head of everyday banking at HSBC UK, said: “We designed Global Money to make spending overseas simple, quick, and straightforward for our customers.

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“It helps customers avoid unexpected costs, and makes it easy to plan and stick to a holiday budget. Customers can manage their spending easily through the app, so they can spend more time enjoying their holiday.”

SIMON CALDER’S TOP FIVE TIPS FOR BUDGET TRAVEL:

1. Don't assume you can pay by cash – Contactless payment is now the norm with many enterprises.
2. Tip appropriately – 20% is the norm in the US, but in many European nations service is included in menu prices.
3. Pay in local currency – When using your credit or debit card abroad, choose to pay in local currency instead of GBP.
4. Make the most of free public transport – All trains, buses, and trams in Luxembourg are free. At Boston airport you can hop on a free bus to the city centre; and each summer, buses are free in the Lake Annecy region of France.
5. Renting a car? – Avoid airport surcharges by taking public transport into the city and picking up a vehicle there. If you are touching down after a long flight, it’s safer and less stressful to avoid an airport pick-up, too.

Martin Winter