Rising Costs Push Britons Towards UK Breaks
More British holidaymakers are adjusting their summer plans as rising costs, crowded airports and global uncertainty influence where and when they travel. Polling commissioned by Enterprise Mobility and carried out by OnePoll among 2,000 UK adults found growing interest in booking later, choosing destinations closer to home and replacing overseas breaks with staycations or road trips across the country.
How Summer Holiday Plans Are Changing
- Survey: 2,000 UK adults who take holidays
- Changed travel plans: 50%
- Already booked a UK staycation: 54%
- Booking closer to departure: 22%
- Prefer destinations closer to the UK: 32%
- Want to avoid busy airports: 67%
- Delayed travel because of global instability: 16%
- Top road-trip choices: Scottish Highlands, Lake District and Cornwall
- Destination shift: More respondents plan South West breaks than trips to Spain
“This summer’s travel trends paint a clear picture of how UK holidaymakers are approaching their summer holidays, with domestic travel, and road trips in particular, firmly at the forefront."
Cost and convenience were central to the change. More than a third said price would lead them to choose a domestic road trip over an overseas holiday, while easier planning and greater flexibility were also widely cited. Busy airports remain a deterrent for many respondents, and a smaller group said international instability had already caused them to postpone travel. Traffic was the main concern among those planning to drive.
The Scottish Highlands, Lake District and Cornwall were the most popular road-trip choices in the survey. These regions offer routes such as the North Coast 500, lakeside bases including Keswick and Ambleside, and Cornwall’s beaches, harbour villages and coastal paths. A UK break also makes shorter stays easier to arrange, particularly when travellers can adjust routes or dates without rebooking flights.
The figures suggest that staycations are being chosen for practical reasons rather than as a second-best holiday. Domestic trips may remove airport queues and luggage restrictions, but they still require realistic budgeting for fuel, parking, accommodation and meals. Anyone travelling during the school holidays should book popular stays early, check traffic forecasts and build alternative stops into the route in case weather or congestion changes the plan.