To holiday in the UK?

[HoneyPie12]

So, first world problems obviously but summer holidays.. we have 3 boys ages 15, 12 and 7 and in 2024 we went on our first ever abroad family holiday. It was bloody lovely - we had the best time. It was a very impulsive decision made 2 weeks before at the travel agents and my equally impulsive husband went from looking online to us sat booking it with a travel agent within a day or 2! I cannot stress how much of a great time it was. We put it on our credit card and then didn't go anywhere in 2025 as we told the children we were still paying off our lovely holiday - they totally understood. It's all paid off now and we are now talking about doing it in 2026. However, while we were chatting, I've just heard myself say out loud - well if our budget is 5k...

5k. For one week. 5 thousand British pounds. I had the best holiday and we had so much fun but 5,000 pounds for one week?! We obviously don't have that spare or we wouldn't have needed to put it on a credit card last time. We have very little savings really and the sensible thing would be to stay home. We could go away somewhere in the UK for half the price I suppose - although not all inclusive and maybe no flipping sunshine!

I guess my question is:

AIBU to book a 5k family holiday in 2026 knowing that 5k is a LOT of money and could potentially be spent on other things?

Or is it a YOLO situation where my lovely husband and amazing kids work hard all year and why shouldn't we just say sod it and book - not many years left where they will be at home and want to spend time with us?!

Sorry just seen there are 5 of you. 1k each is a bargain. But, whether it's a good idea to put that on a credit card is up to you!

I couldn’t personally spend £5k on a holiday. That’s a huge chunk of money.

Could you go at a different time of year to make it cheaper - May or October half term?

Also, start saving now for your next holiday, as others suggested.

We’ve also done the self catering holiday in France as well. Lots of fun.

Honestly I’d go abroad. Possibly the last chance with all 3 of your children depending on where life takes your eldest. I’d do a lot of shopping around though - look at the various half terms, consider other countries, etc.

I have never done AI, but I love going abroad and we prioritise trips over lots of other things.

We do lots of different types of holidays but absolutely LOVE Wales and have amazing memories of our trips there… The UK has a lot to offer and people shouldn’t knock a “staycation”. That said, going through travel agencies always costs more and 5k for an AL is insane. We paid about 3.5k for our last AL for a week including flights and that’s 2 adults 5 children.

I’d do it, as long as I could comfortably pay it off. In fact I probably will. I’ve got more than enough in savings but it doesn’t bother me to whack it on a 0% card for 18 months and pay it off, also have better protection paying for it on credit card. Life is for living, go and enjoy it.

£5k isn’t that much for an all inclusive holiday in the summer holidays - people who think it is need to go and have a look at the prices for themselves.

Have you tried booking flights and apartment separately. We are a family 5 (3 adults 2kids 17,9)
we have booked 2 weeks summer holidays Spain for £2500.

We always pay for holidays in installments or on a credit card, and most years that's a UK caravan holiday. I don't see why people are acting like this is a crazy thing to do most holiday companies offer payment in installments, on a credit card just allows you a more control over your repayments. We've been abroad once and the larger installment payments actually helped us to realize we could continue to save a larger amount after the holiday. I can't believe how much my kids have changed in 2 years and I'm so glad I did it, we'd have never gone if I'd had to save it. I am in a similar position with a small emergency savings fund and there's no way I would use my savings for a holiday. Kids grow up so quickly, it's different to waiting a few years saving up for a holiday for adults.

I’m spending under 3k for the four of us in France, but not AI. I know people love it but it does seem to push the price up. I’m happy making our own lunches and finding different small local restaurants rather than being tied to one place to eat.

This is quite an old thread, what did you decide to do OP?

I hope @HoneyPie12 has booked it by now.

Can you not book flights and accommodation separately
I know it isn't all inclusive, but you can have your shopping delivered and get loads of ice creams beers etc, simple breakfast fruit cereal toast, minimal washing up, toasties for lunch then go out at night?