UK holiday prices jump 100% & families face paying thousands more – but there are still decent deals to be had

UK holidays are jumping in price due to demand, with some costing as much as £600 more following the lockdown announcement.

Yesterday, Boris Johnson confirmed that self-catered holidays could go ahead from April 12, following by hotels from May 17.

While there are still restrictions in place – one household only in April, rising to two households on holiday from May – it has already resulted in a huge rush to book in a holiday.

Sykes Holiday Cottage bookings were up 150 per cent year-on-year with a booking taken every eight seconds after the PM's announcement, while Away resorts saw bookings up 243 per cent compared to last year.

According to research team Mitel, domestic holidays are expected to hit a 10-year high, with Brits to spend more than £7bn – up £5.8bn in 2019.

However, this has also led to soaring prices, as happens when demand goes when capacity is limited.

A number of people who booked their holidays after the announcement have been complaining on social media how much more expensive their breaks were in comparison to last year.

One woman said that her Sykes Cottage holiday last April was just £580 per week, but the same week this year cost £1,010.

A cottage owner in Wales who works through Sykes Cottages wrote: "'I'm an owner, have just checked my prices and they've gone from £459 to £1,145! I've questioned this and they have said it's due to demand."

Haven holidays have also jumped, with some increasing from £373 to £529 in the same day, and one person claiming their trip went from £2,000 to £10,000.

A Haven spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: "As a result of the lifting of lockdown restrictions we are experiencing an unprecedented demand in holidays. This has seen a huge interest in certain weeks of the year and, as always, we move our prices in line with demand.

"We do have some great deals available with value offers for breaks in April and May across a range of parks allowing people to get away with their family."

Sykes Cottages has also been contacted for comment.

Twitter user Sarah complained online: "Absolutely disappointed. We have had our holiday booked since 2019 but due to Covid have had it cancelled twice.

"We can’t go due to multiple household booking so asked to cancel until next Easter only to be told you want to charge us an extra £500."

Another person added: "Managed to move a UK holiday cottage booking from week before 12th April to week after. Price had gone up 60%."

One person complained: "Tried to book an holiday in Cornwall England for July, £2100 to hire a pitch and a camper van for 1 week 2 people no food included and no guaranteed weather, sorry I’d prefer to wait, pay half the price for somewhere that makes my bed and I get breakfast in the morning."

Others complained that even train fares made a holiday unaffordable: "Leeds to Newquay return per person x family of 4….. over £1200 plus hotel no thanks rather go to the med."

Dan Yates, owner of camping website Pitchup.com, who have had a booking every seven seconds in the past 24 hours previously told Sun Online Travel: "In June last year, campsites opened – as soon as that speech happened, 10 days before the opening date, our bookings quadrupled.

"We had one booking every three seconds. People will want to secure their best spot, so we expect the same when lockdown ends this time around."

Holidays abroad are still in limbo, with no official start date being given until April 12, leading to a UK staycation boom.

While there are hopes that foreign holidays may resume from May 17 at the earliest, it is more likely to be from June 21.

This hasn't stopped demand for foreign holidays though – Jet2 saw demand rocket by 1,000 per cent, while TUI, the UK’s largest tour operator, also reported a huge increase in bookings to foreign sunshine resorts.

It isn't clear what restrictions will be in place either – currently, all returning Brits must have three negative Covid tests, while others are forced to quarantine at a hotel, all at their own expense.

Our best UK holiday deals of the week

Cheap UK holidays in April & May – now that staycations can start in the spring – click here

Cheap short UK breaks in June from £35, including Devon, Kent & Suffolk – click here

UK holiday parks and cottages in July from £62 per break – click here

August seaside holiday stays in the UK including Kent & Norfolk from £74 – click here

UK holiday parks with the best indoor swimming pools – from £38 a night this summer – click here 

The government will announce whether these will still be in place for holidays abroad on April 12.

Currently, all arrivals must have three negative coronavirus tests – taken before departure, and on day 2 and day 8 of quarantine.

The two tests taken during the quarantine period must be booked through the government portal, live from tomorrow, before departure, and cost £210 for both.

A Passenger Locator Form must also be completed, with up to ten years in prison if providing false information.

Here is everything you need to know about holidays going ahead.

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