Belfast named one of UK’s cheapest staycation destinations at £652 per weekend

New findings have revealed that couples looking to enjoy a staycation this spring can get some of the best value for money in Belfast - but will have to pay at least £650 to visit.

The research, conducted by travel experts Jersey Island Holidays ( https://www.jerseyislandholidays.com), collated Airbnb and hotel rates, meal and drink prices, local transport fees, taxi fares and leisure activity costs for each city, to identify how much it currently costs for a weekend break in the UK.

And - despite the analysis including money-saving options like monthly public transport passes and fast food lunches - a weekend staycation will set you back at least £500.

The analysis found that when two nights of accommodation, restaurant meals, fast food lunches, taxi rides, public transport and a cinema/theatre excursion are taken into account, the cheapest city to visit right now is Leicester - but it’ll still cost you £572 to do so.

Belfast was amongst one of the cheapest staycation destinations with a weekend rate of £652 - although this doesn’t take into account flights or a ferry.

The biggest expense for those looking to visit Belfast is lodgings, with a hotel costing £77, and an Airbnb priced at an average of £100 per night - but luckily, accommodation is significantly cheaper in Belfast than in other areas, such as Glasgow or York.

Also amongst the cheapest destinations are Leicester (£572), Coventry (£581), Cardiff (£588) and Northampton (£592), with no city costing less than £500 per trip.

The data reveals that the average UK city costs £715 to visit - with London coming out as the most expensive destination for a weekend break at £1,230.

The price rises further if there are more than two people planning to get away, with a family of four expected to shell out an additional £130 on just food and drinks alone.

It also doesn’t take into account additional costs associated with getting away, such as travel to/from the city destination, additional leisure activities or excursions, or boozy nights out.

These figures may scupper some Brits’ spring holiday plans, as - despite anticipating a surge in staycation bookings from those looking to save money - it turns out a trip across the channel could well be cheaper than staying in the UK.

And it’s not just Belfast that has seen a hike in accommodation costs, as the average UK hotel priced at £75 per night, whilst an Airbnb will set you back £117 a night.

Airbnbs are the most expensive in London, costing an average of £195 a night, but also proved particularly costly in Brighton (£145), York (£138) and Edinburgh (£136).

A spokesperson for Jersey island Holidays said: “Preparation is key in order to reduce the price where possible, as you should look for package deals - particularly if you’re wanting to get away during a peak period - and to be flexible when booking exact dates, as a Thursday-Saturday stay often proves cheaper than a Friday-Sunday break.”