Family holidays... What are people spending nowadays

ThumbTaxed

Hi there,

Last year our 12 days away cost around 5,500 euro including spending money. Family of 5.

That is an awful amount of money for those on average income but when I look for this year I can't get anything cheaper, that is decent.

What are people generally spending?

ThumbTaxed

ThumbTaxed wrote: »

Hi there,

Last year our 12 days away cost around 5,500 euro including spending money. Family of 5.

That is an awful amount of money for those on average income but when I look for this year I can't get anything cheaper, that is decent.

What are people generally spending?

Really depends on lots of factors. Were you go, how long, what you do there, do you book everything yourself or through an agent, do you rent a car, do you eat out for all meals or only dinner etc

I'd imagine I could go on a holiday for a week with my wife for less than 2K including flights / accom and spending.

ThumbTaxed

^ I am talking about a holiday for 5, 1 teenage and 2 younger kids for short of 2 weeks.

CelticRambler

This family is much diminished of late, when it comes to holidays, but it all depends on what you want. My budget is around about 2k for 2-3weeks for me plus 2-4 late teens/young adults. That's nearly all travel and food; accommodation is "free" in a campervan; entertainment is free or very low cost doing things that ... are free or very low cost. We go to festivals that work out at about 5-10€/day, but our main annual holiday involves volunteering at one such festival so we save that and get free food and drink for nearly a week.

Most mountains, beaches and city parks have no entry charge; but my sister can easily spend in one day what we spend in a month ...

Lex Luthor

really depends on what month - big difference between June and July/Aug

We usually go in June

Flights can typically cost us about 800-1000
Accom is usually 1500-2000

Generally tend to spend about 1500 spends for food/snacks, generally eat out every 2nd/3rd night as we generally go self catering and have bfast & lunch in and BBq every 2nd night
Car hire about 400, parking about 100 long term
Factor in travel insurance for about 70eur and the sun cream, etc accessories
We are 4 so 5500 could be realistic with family of 5

whippet

That is a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question.

It all depends on what level of accom / luxury you want.

Myself and my wide work hard and are fortunate to be able to afford a little extra and our annual summer holidays are something we really savour. We have two kids and on average spend about €10k each year .. we budget for it and see it as part of the annual household budget.

But horses for courses .. a family of five can have superb holidays on a fraction of that

naughtysmurf

whippet wrote: »

That is a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question.

It all depends on what level of accom / luxury you want.

Yes, this really & also what you plan to do while away, if you're just on a beach or around a pool, you can keep your costs down but if you're visiting water parks, theme parks, boat trips etc it all mounts up

We stopped using travel agents once the second child came along as we get much more bang for our buck that way, we don't compromise on accommodation, has to be decent, look at all options & compare S/C, Half board & all inclusive

Myself and my Mrs are abroad for a week in September, flights, accommodation 4* half board, one way airport transfer & 5 days car hire & a few Euro for drinks & lunch is about 2K

A week in July with the Mrs & teenage daughter similar to above will be 2.8 - 3k

For a European summer sun holiday for 3 or 4 of us we budget about 5K in total but I set up flight alerts for best price & book well reviewed accommodation, could do it for less but our preference for good quality quiet accommodation is important to us

naughtysmurf

ThumbTaxed wrote: »

^ I am talking about a holiday for 5, 1 teenage and 2 younger kids for short of 2 weeks.

Can you describe what you are looking for generally from a holiday?
Destinations you'd consider?
With 5 for comfort you need at least two bedrooms + a sofa bed, self-catering?
Willing to hire a car?

Normally get a ferry to France while schools are still in, and use Tesco vouchers. Accommodation is free thanks to the in laws mobile home, so general cost of summer holidays for 2 adults & 2 young kids is about €400 after vouchers.

There are additional costs like dog kennels, petrol, tolls, but the ferry off peak is reasonable.

shar01

I've mentioned it before in this forum but sometimes it's worthwhile turning your eyes east - beaches of north Poland & Germany.

https://www.skyscanner.net/news/10-best-beaches-germany-pictures

We've been to Gdynia, Poland in May and September. Low 20s. We stayed in apartments - http://www.sleepy3city.com/?room=abrahama-16c-1-6. They were basic with Ikea furniture but we were out all day so it was just somewhere to put to the head down.

Your money goes further. When you're fed up with sand there are day trips to the likes of Gdansk or Malbork.

If you can offload the kids - less than €70 for six courses with wine. It was absolutely delicious - https://www.sztuczka.com/degustacyjne?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tripadvisor

Ultimate Seduction

Family of 4, Spain in June I booked last night .

Flights 4 × 150

Accom 650

Deposit 200

Parking 50

Trains\taxis 150

Spending money 2k

Total for 7 days circa 3k.

fits

These are expensive! We will be staycationing until the twins are older!

Ultimate Seduction

fits wrote: »

These are expensive! We will be staycationing until the twins are older!

There is cheaper options available if you're smart and not too fusy. I went to PalmaNova Majorca last May, accom was 280 for the week, fights were 110 each.

splinter65

ThumbTaxed wrote: »

Hi there,

Last year our 12 days away cost around 5,500 euro including spending money. Family of 5.

That is an awful amount of money for those on average income but when I look for this year I can't get anything cheaper, that is decent.

What are people generally spending?

A cousin of mine told me that including days out and their holiday in Florida which is just ending and 2 weeks in the Costa Brava in August their family of 2 adults and 2 young kids spent 11,000 sterling last year. Ridiculous stuff.

Plumbthedepths

We as a family usually go to Italy for 10 days each year. July/August. Book everything myself, rarely have I spent more than 1700 on flights/accommodation/car hire. Spending money is sperate .

anewme

Friend in work had two children and they normally have 2 weeks in Spain or Portugal and a long weekend in Ireland- spends about 10-12k per year.

fits

Bloody hell. I’m definitely not earning enough money. That’d be our mortgage for a year.

Ultimate Seduction

It's all relative to what you earn and can afford I suppose. I'd never get myself in debt for a holiday anyway that's for sure, but if you're working hard all year you have to enjoy the fruits of your labour. I'd prefer to blow a few grand in Spain or wherever than sit around a wet an windy ballybunion.

Plumbthedepths

On a different note had a look at a 3 day break end of August in Center Parc in Longford for 3 adults, 926 euro. For kicks and giggles priced flights and accommodation in Malaga for the same dates and number of people 824 euro. Boom is back baby.

anewme

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

On a different note had a look at a 3 day break end of August in Center Parc in Longford for 3 adults, 926 euro. For kicks and giggles priced flights and accommodation in Malaga for the same dates and number of people 824 euro. Boom is back baby.

I think that's a bit of an unfair comparison, unless you are comparing it with a similar type centr park set up.

Some people (especially with kids) might prefer to stay local if all the activities and facilities are there.

Centr Parc have a good reputation in the UK.

loyatemu

Last year, 16 days in France, family of 5 (on fairly high-end campsites, staying in mobile homes).
Ferry and accommodation around 2500
Other stuff ~1500

this was high season, school exams mean we're stuck with July or August for the foreseeable future. Accommodation is cheaper in June but the ferry may be more expensive and the weather in France is less reliable. You could certainly do it cheaper if you went for lower spec campsites (but you then lose a lot of facilities for the kids); we also ate out a fair bit as I don't want to spend my hols shopping and cooking.

I've looked at package holidays to Spain or Portugal, the cost is just prohibitive - sharing a 1 bed apartment with small kids may be ok, but with three teenagers the accommodation becomes stupidly expensive.

Centr Parc have a good reputation in the UK.

they also have a reputation for being eye-wateringly expensive.

weetiepie

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

We as a family usually go to Italy for 10 days each year. July/August. Book everything myself, rarely have I spent more than 1700 on flights/accommodation/car hire. Spending money is sperate .

Would love to know more about this!..thinking of maybe heading to Italy with our family of five

Plumbthedepths

anewme wrote:

I think that's a bit of an unfair comparison, unless you are comparing it with a similar type centr park set up.

Not sure how you work that out. The price is for 3 days accommodation only. All activities are at an extra cost. I gave an example of 3 days accommodation and flights in Malaga as a comparison also similar to the set up in Longford activities etc would be at an extra cost. Clearly we have a different opinion, Ireland is being viewed again in the phrase used several years by a UK executive "treasure Island" due to the vast profits they reap here.

Plumbthedepths

weetiepie wrote:

Would love to know more about this!..thinking of maybe heading to Italy with our family of five

Ryanair fly in to Treviso airport, fly mid week far cheaper. Lake Garda is amazing. Plenty of accommodation options. We have stayed on campsites and can't recommend them enough but have also used Air BnB too. Book a nine seater for comfort if you don't want to use public transport but public transport is very good and affordable. If you do hire a vehicle take out excess insurance here great piece of mind. Plus hiring a car gives you the freedom to explore what is a beautiful region of Italy.

Springfields

This aren't really any cheap holidays when you've a family of 5 especially with younger kids and you can't rough it a bit. We won't be going abroad again until the baby is at least 3 but even to stay in Ireland for a week somewhere on a self catering basis will cost 1200/1300 euros to start and that's solely accommodation.

weetiepie

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Ryanair fly in to Treviso airport, fly mid week far cheaper. Lake Garda is amazing. Plenty of accommodation options. We have stayed on campsites and can't recommend them enough but have also used Air BnB too. Book a nine seater for comfort if you don't want to use public transport but public transport is very good and affordable. If you do hire a vehicle take out excess insurance here great piece of mind. Plus hiring a car gives you the freedom to explore what is a beautiful region of Italy.

Have been to Tuscany before, before kiddies came along and hired a car. Driving was crazy there at times. But would love to be able to afford to do it with children. Have you been anywhere around the Tuscan region? Any air bnb s or campsites you would recommend?

anewme

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Not sure how you work that out. The price is for 3 days accommodation only. All activities are at an extra cost. I gave an example of 3 days accommodation and flights in Malaga as a comparison also similar to the set up in Longford activities etc would be at an extra cost. Clearly we have a different opinion, Ireland is being viewed again in the phrase used several years by a UK executive "treasure Island" due to the vast profits they reap here.

I disagree- I just think there are different budgets.

For example, why do so many people stay in Kelly's Rosslare, when they could stay in a caravan park up the road.

There is no right or wrong answer to this question- it's down to the individual and their budgets and expectations.

I wouldn't knock anyone who goes to the centr park- hope it works out.

Plumbthedepths

anewme wrote:

I wouldn't knock anyone who goes to the centr park- hope it works out.

If you read my post I was not knocking anyone going to Center Park. I highlighted the cost. Regardless of income or budget I feel 929 euro for a 3 day stay for 3 adults self catering is ridiculous, but that's just my opinion.

naughtysmurf

Here is a DIY bucket & spade holiday for July for the OP

July 2 -13 (11 nights )

Rtn flights out of DUB current price with priority boarding so seated together & 50kg of cabin luggage should be enough, €1731.90.
Think that price will fall though so a saving can be made if you wait to book

Accommodation 2 bed semi-detached in a quiet place we've stayed before, not this particular property but another one in Los Abanicos, eldest child on a sofabed, WiFi, hot tub, private rooftop terrace, 5 minutes walk to supermarket, 30 minutes walk to center of Corralejo or a few euro in a taxi, communal pool, 5 minutes drive to 7km of fantastic beach, €800 (€72 per night ) good recent reviews
https://www.homeaway.co.uk/p8015297#


Return private transfer airport / accommodation €85, cheaper than a taxi
https://www.vivatransfers.com/index.php#

1 week car hire during stay €120 with Cicar, all insurance included
https://www.cicar.com/en

Total €2736.90

All depends on what you spend after that,

I don't think that's a terrible price for a family of 5 to get to the sun in peak season, the flights are expensive at the moment, set up a price alert & book when they drop a bit but everything else is pretty reasonable, you have breakfast in your accommodation, pack lunch into cool bags for beach days at a nominal cost, eat out in the evening, have 2/3/4 evening meals in, easy & cheap enough to rustle up a curry or pasta & garlic bread, cooked chicken or pizza especially when traveling with kids, Alcohol is cheap in the supermarket if needed.

Plumbthedepths

weetiepie wrote:

Have been to Tuscany before, before kiddies came along and hired a car. Driving was crazy there at times. But would love to be able to afford to do it with children. Have you been anywhere around the Tuscan region? Any air bnb s or campsites you would recommend?

Familiar with Tuscany particularly Lucca and Pisa. Ryanair also flies in to Pisa. Have stayed in Pisa and Lucca but only for a couple of nights. We had our base in Lake Garda. You can search for campsites on Camping Italia, the facilities are usually very good no matter where the site is. Last year we stayed in Verona in an apartment we found on Airbnb. There was 6 of us, apartment cost 620 euro for 9 days. Also stayed on a campsite outside Rome 2 years ago. 7 of us in mobile, all adults little tight but great fun the large veranda helped . On the public transport route, so a bus and underground had us at the Colosseum in 20 minutes.

anewme

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

If you read my post I was not knocking anyone going to Center Park. I highlighted the cost. Regardless of income or budget I feel 929 euro for a 3 day stay for 3 adults self catering is ridiculous, but that's just my opinion.

You said it with the boom is back, baby type statement as if anyone going had more money than sense, so that comes across as knocking them a bit.

I'm not sure Longford would be my ideal location either, but I'd be curious to see the Centr parc standard.

Sadb

Last year we went to Spain in August for 8 days, all in it cost us under €2500- family of 5, 2 adults, 2 teens and 1 child.

Plumbthedepths

anewme wrote:

You said it with the boom is back, baby type statement as if anyone going had more money than sense, so that comes across as knocking them a bit.

My comment is more directed at the rip off nature that has reared its head here again. As an aside I looked at the Center Parc offering in Sherwood forest UK for the same dates and number of people even allowing for the euro exchange rate the UK is almost a 100 euro cheaper for the same offering. Treasure Island ;-)

Cushtie

Holy crap....didn't think it would be that expensive for a family holiday. My crowd will have to make do with the mobile home in Kerry for a good few years yet....

SusanC10

There are so many variables here it's hard to know.

We did 3 weeks in France a couple of years ago. 2 Adults, 2 Kids. Started 3rd week in June. Ferry plus Mobile on a Campsite. Cost approx half the price of our friends' holiday in early August the same year for 10 days but they flew and hired a car but similar Campsite. Transport and Accommodation comparison not incl spending money.

kippy

Last year we got Irish Ferries Rosslare to Roscoff round the 8th of August. Drove to Campsite near St Jean du Monts, Stayed in a 2 bed Mercure mobile home for 12 nights, back again from Cherbourg.
Spent 2600 on the campsite and ferry.
Probably spent another 200 Euros on Diesel. Spending money circa 1600 euro at a rough estimate. (That would have included food, drink, day trips to a Safari park and a Parkour Park)

All in for 4400 but we had 14 nights away in total (including the ferry).
Not for everyone but I'd love to manage to do it again in peak season for the same kind of money. Prices for Ferry and campsite up about 500 quid on last year.

2 adults, 3 kids under 7

Limited to July and August every year but have settled on August as the best time for us to go.
We'd generally do that type of Holiday every two years.

pmrc

Hi
We are hoping to go on a family holiday for the first time.
2 adults, 20 year old, 18 year old and 15 year old.
Any suggestions on where to go and cost.

naughtysmurf

pmrc wrote: »

Hi
We are hoping to go on a family holiday for the first time.
2 adults, 20 year old, 18 year old and 15 year old.
Any suggestions on where to go and cost.

What is your budget & expectations? What do you want to do or like to do? Most countries in the world attract tourists so more information needed

Plumbthedepths

pmrc wrote:

Hi We are hoping to go on a family holiday for the first time. 2 adults, 20 year old, 18 year old and 15 year old. Any suggestions on where to go and cost.

When do you want to go, what are you,your partner, kids into. Hard to make a suggestion with very little information tbh

2013Lara

We have El Delfin Verde on the Costa Brava booked for 14 nights mid to end June. We're staying in one of their new bungalows with a little paddling/splash pool outside. So their best accomodation. Accomodation was 1600 and flights for five of us (five seats) Belfast to Girona was 500 incl seats and bags. We will eat in for breakfast and lunch and go out for our dinner most nights with the odd take away thrown in so spending money shouldn't be excessive.

Padraig Mor

We're limited to July and August so highest prices (and a strong preference for Cork airport too which limits things even further) but it's still possible to do it at a fair price with a bit of tenacity. Main thing I find is to continually check flight prices throughout the year so you know what's actually a bargain and what's not. Sort the flights and then worry about the accomodation.

We're heading to Portugal mid July this year (2 adults, 2 kids). Flights Cork - Faro €580 return with Ryanair including priority boarding. Two bedroom apartment in Amarcao de Pera with A/C, pool etc €1080 for 13 nights (AirBnB). Happy with that! In contrast, an equivalent package holiday in a grotty resort would be min €3k, likely quite a bit more.

Fann Linn

Don't worry folks, its great when the kids have grown up and flown the nest.

Rows Grower

Springfields wrote: »

This aren't really any cheap holidays when you've a family of 5 especially with younger kids and you can't rough it a bit. We won't be going abroad again until the baby is at least 3 but even to stay in Ireland for a week somewhere on a self catering basis will cost 1200/1300 euros to start and that's solely accommodation.

Springfields I'm not going to start debating to and fro with you but your figures are way out for self catering in Ireland.

It can be done a lot cheaper than that.

tamara25

If you stay in a house in grounds of hotel during July & August it will definitely cost 1,000 +. The only cheaper alternative I know of is to go earlier in year or air b&b. Myself & husband have never been on a sun holiday. We’re tied to July & August with kids. Haven’t a clue what we will do this year.....

fits

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

On a different note had a look at a 3 day break end of August in Center Parc in Longford for 3 adults, 926 euro. For kicks and giggles priced flights and accommodation in Malaga for the same dates and number of people 824 euro. Boom is back baby.

And I just got first weekend in September for family of four for 530. You wouldn’t get abroad for that. Be lucky to get flights.

Plumbthedepths

fits wrote:

And I just got first weekend in September for family of four for 530. You wouldn’t get a road for that. Be lucky to get flights.

That's great but my example for both was August. I found flights to France for 4 first weekend of September less than 300. Also your 530 is accommodation only food activities extra and if Center Parcs prices in the UK are anything to go by you will be lucky if your weekend comes in under 1000 tbh.

fits

I doubt it. We will bring our own food and drink and we will be happy enough with the pool playgrounds and the location. 2 year olds can’t do much else.

Rows Grower

Cushtie wrote: »

Holy crap....didn't think it would be that expensive for a family holiday. My crowd will have to make do with the mobile home in Kerry for a good few years yet....

And I'll tell ya one thing, it's one of the most beautiful places on this earth.

I should add the caveat of "when you get the weather", but for me personally rain usually means better fishing.

A decent run of good sunshine near a beach in Kerry, no problems with the food the drink or the language, the friendliest most down to earth people you could meet and the best of scenery, what more could you ask for?

fits

Just to add. At the stage we are at, I have no real desire to go abroad at all. I think I’d prefer to stay in ireland when they are younger and go on a good exotic holiday later on. We will see. Just couldn’t be bothered with hassle of traveling right now. Hence Center Parcs appeal. We would be lovers of camping and outdoors so I think that will be more doable later.

fits

Rows Grower wrote: »

And I'll tell ya one thing, it's one of the most beautiful places on this earth.

I should add the caveat of "when you get the weather", but for me personally rain usually means better fishing.

A decent run of good sunshine near a beach in Kerry, no problems with the food the drink or the language, the friendliest most down to earth people you could meet and the best of scenery, what more could you ask for?

+1. We spent the last week in Dingle. On the beach every day as it was so mild. Best place in the world. And so beautiful.

salmocab

I love a good holiday, last year we did 10 days in Lanzarote with the 2 kids, a week in Wexford staying in a house the sister in law borrowed and myself and the wife went to New York for 5 nights, probably spent 10,000 between them all (a good chunk spending in NY tbf). We have a baby and a 3 year old and the 3 year old got more out of Wexford than Lanzarote as his cousins were there too to play with. Staying in Ireland is great if the weather is decent, last summer was excellent and we were blessed in Wexford as there was no need to entertain the kids.
We’ll probably do similar this year without NY but may do a second family holiday for a week later.
Each to their own, it can be a pain bringing kids through airports but if your organized it’s grand.