First world problems, Japan or Canada for family holiday?

[Fuckingfuckssake]

So we are finally in a position to be able to spend some proper(ish) money on a holiday, 5k probably, 2 adults and 1 child. Japan and Canada have always been the dream destinations, no a clue about either, any recommendations or advice please?

Direct Japan flights are coming in expensive these days, could eat up half the budget. It’s worth it though; clean, safe, easy to traverse, food and accommodation for any budget, stunning landscapes, and tourist friendly.

I can’t speak to Canada.

I’d love to visit Japan although not sure if the budget is enough? I’m spending almost £4k on one adult and one child in Europe this summer!

Was going to say OP, without wishing to rain on your parade, we are just about to book a week in the med at October half term and it's costing us near on £5k. 😬

Our friends went to Canada last summer and it wasn't a cheap holiday.

Japan is very near the top of my list, so I'd be interested to hear from any savvy travellers who can give tips for a cost effective way to visit.

Both countries are fantastic but you will need a far larger budget.

You’re likely looking at not far off £5k just for flights to Japan unfortunately

Both are amazing. Japan would edge it for me.

You CAN do it on that budget but you'll have to book wisely and cut costs where you can.

Have a wonderful holiday.

October Half termish from London - £1639 for two adults and one child.

Thats not £5k.

Hotel looks like you can do for about £1k.

Still not £5k.

It'd be tight to do for £5k by the time you add everything in. But its doable.

Ok I’m surprised but happy to be corrected

Thanks for the responses, we're looking at next year and whenever is cheapest basically, we can be flexible, it's so daunting though isn't it!!

@RedToothBrush can I ask which airline that was please?

Canada is stunning but Japan is great too, ancient culture. Fly to Singapore then onto Tokyo for more cheaper flights. Bullet train to Kyoto is a must.

Have a look through Skyscanner.

Where in Canada, it’s a very big country so you really have to choose one or two areas and fly between.

I live in Canada and think it’s dull and would prefer Japan. If you do choose Canada, the west coast is beautiful. I’d recommend Vancouver, some Gulf Islands, Victoria. Loads of forests around both cities.

Priced up Japan for 2 adults + 2 kids and it came in at 10 nights already £11 k

We are shortly going to the Rockies in Canada for two weeks so happy to report back. Flights and RV was 8.5k though before spending. 2 adults, 2 kids.

Does that £5k exclude flights? Hope so otherwise will be very tight...

We booked our September trip to Canada back in February purely on the basis that we could get return flights to Montreal on BA for under £500 each!

Have spent another £700 on car hire and will do 4-5 days in the city and then 12
days road tripping Bay of Fundy/Prince Edward Island/Nova Scotia.

For spring time look at flying to Newfoundland (St Johns) for iceberg watching, scenery and whale watching- only a 5 hour flight from London so cheaper.

We also LOVED Vancouver and Vancouver island.

We're going to Japan next year and are spending 3 times that. We don't normally spend anything like that amount on one holiday - It's a once in a lifetime trip so staying in quite nice places. Even so, I don't think your 5k is going to get you far. Have you started by looking at flights?

I think you can do Canada cheaply. Me and DH have been twice and didn't have school holidays to consider.

First time was before covid and we went for about 2.5k including spending money. Staying at Bond Place Hotel in heart of Toronto. Cheap and cheerful. Niagara Falls day trip.

2nd time we honeymooned there. 3.5k. We stayed in Sheraton at Niagara for 3 nights and then the Mariott in Toronto for 4. We didn't hold back either as it was our honeymoon.

Good flights and off season is half the battle. We went in early Nov.

All travel has shot up in price recently. Everything is in thousands rather than hundreds now. Every aspect of the experience has become more expensive. It doesn't matter where you go except that you will have to keep a contingency budget in mind equivalent to what you already paid for the holiday.

Canada is easier, especially with children, taking account of language and climate. The heat and humidity in Japan is horrible. Then again, Canada is quite rainy like here.

We've travelled extensively and to my surprise, the thing the children reminisce lovingly about the most is Niagara Falls.

it depends on your budget. But i will go to Japan for sure.

We are used to travelling and doing it on a tight budget. It's doable and you can still have an amazing time without completely compromising your holiday.

We do find generally that people spend way more on holidays than us.

It means being more open minded about hotels and where you eat. But we've found that's often a bonus because we've ended up in some really quirky places. It involves more research too - what can you do for free and what's cheap.

We've done both Japan and Iceland on very tight budgets in the past.

I do think it's doable for £5k if you pick your dates well and pick the right accommodation.

And no that's not roughing it or staying in hostels.

Have you priced up the options OP? £5k doesn’t go far when you are travelling further afield.

Can't speak for Japan but £5k would be fine for Canada, booking separately, hire a car, motels, could have a great adventure. Could also consider flying into the US (Seattle or NYC) and driving which isn't too far, USA flights seem to come up much cheaper when I've looked. We love a road trip though.