Why Staycations Are Better Than Holidays Abroad

This year, more people are choosing to holiday closer to home rather than travelling abroad, and this isn’t just about preference. Wider global pressures are shaping how people are able to go on holiday. Ongoing geopolitical instability, rising fuel costs, and consistently rising flight prices are making international travel more expensive than ever, and less predictable than it has been in many years. 

Staycations are starting to look like a smarter, cheaper, and more relaxing way to spend your time off as a result. For many of us, that will mean rediscovering the UK’s beauty spots, whether that’s a camping weekend in the Lake District or a paddleboarding and open water swimming summer holiday in Cornwall. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at staycation holidays and why they might be a better fit for you this year!

Rising Travel Costs Are Making International Holidays Harder

The economic driver behind the staycations trend comes down to the fact that air travel has become significantly more expensive, due to fuel price volatility and increased operational costs. Baggage fees, airport transfers, and fluctuating exchange rates add up too. The cost of your overseas holiday can quickly become overwhelming.

In most households, unfortunately, fewer overseas trips are going to be financially viable this year. However, staycations eliminate many of these costs. Travelling within your own country removes the need for flights entirely. It also opens the door to more flexible outdoor adventures where you can pack your own kit and travel on your own terms. Whether that’s inflatable paddleboards in the boot, waterproof bags full of the family’s kit, or changing robes for all weathers, this flexibility to take your own equipment makes it easy to turn a simple weekend into a proper adventure. Add to that the fact that you have access to your own car and accommodation expenses are often reduced (especially if you explore less tourist-heavy regions), and you get a pretty sizable saving.

Global Instability Makes Travel More Complex

Ongoing tensions, particularly involving the conflict between the US and Iran, have added further difficulty. Holidaymakers are increasingly aware of potential disruptions to international travel. Staycations offer a more stable alternative. Travelling domestically means you can forget complications at the border and go with far fewer worries about disruptions to your holiday time.

Domestic travel also gives you the freedom to be more spontaneous. Instead of planning months ahead around flights, you could decide a few days before, when the weather looks good, that you fancy a weekend of coastal exploring or a 24-hour microadventure.

Less Travel Stress, More Time To Relax

A holiday is meant to be restorative, not stressful, but long-haul flights, airport queues, layovers, and time zone changes can leave travellers stressed out and exhausted before their holiday even gets started. Staycations alleviate so much of this friction and give you more time actually enjoying your break instead of recovering from the journey. They also make it easier to enjoy slower, more relaxing outdoor activities, from early morning paddleboarding trips, evenings at the campsite, gentle coastal walks, and open-water swims. Families, in particular, will benefit in significant ways. Travelling with children makes airports and flights particularly demanding, while staycations tend to be simpler and more flexible in comparison.

Bring Along More Family And Friends

A family staycation is much more flexible in terms of being able to bring people along with you. Because staycations don’t have such significant costs and aren’t strictly tied to flights or international bookings, you can often accommodate extra people much more easily. The flexibility of staycations is especially valuable in a time of fluctuating travel costs and uncertainty. If prices rise suddenly or plans change, it’s far easier to adapt a domestic trip than an international one.

Supporting Local Holiday Destinations

Staycations allow you to support local businesses and holiday destinations. It allows you to financially help out local communities and businesses and explore different, more unique options that you may not have considered. UK staycations have plenty of potential for fun and relaxation, so start having a look around to see what might interest you. From the Scottish Highlands to North Wales to the Jurassic Coast and the Norfolk Broads, there really are endless opportunities to get outside and explore without getting on a plane. 

Staycations offer simplicity, affordability, flexibility, and often a deeper appreciation of what’s already nearby in a time when international travel is harder than ever. 

If you’re planning your next UK getaway, take a look at our previous blog on the essential kit you’re going to need for staycations. If you require any further support from the Red Equipment team, don’t be afraid to get in contact with us.