THE Coast OF living
Costas & UK days out top list of travel price hikes
PACKAGE holidays to the Costa del Sol and days out in the UK have experienced the biggest travel price hikes of the past 50 years.
Research shows that in some cases, tourists have been hit by rises of up to 25,000%, even when accounting for inflation.
Meanwhile, airline tickets have fallen significantly in real terms since the 1970s, but are now pricier on average than they were during the early 2000s.
Consumer group Which? compiled the research to celebrate 50 years of Which? Travel magazine, launched in 1974.
It found London’s tourist attractions were the worst affected by price rises, with Kew Gardens coming out on top.
Back in 1974, entrance cost just 1p, or 9p in today’s money.
Now, prices range from £12 to £24 per adult depending on what time of year you visit and if you book in advance.
Based on the most expensive ticket, the rise came to 26,566%.
In 1974, entry to the Tower of London was 10p – equal to 90p in today’s money. But a visit this year will set you back £34.80 per adult, which is a rise of 3,767%.
Entry to Madame Tussauds used to be just 75p (£7 today), but now it costs £42 for a ticket bought on the day – a 500% hike.
Meanwhile, the cost of package holidays to destinations such as Spain and Greece have risen hugely.
In 1986, Which? reported that a week’s summer package on the Costa Blanca cost £160 per person, equal to £456 today.
Now, a week half-board in Spain this August costs £995 per person – an 118% rise.
In the early 1970s, flights were particularly expensive. From late 1973 to March 1974, crude oil soared in price by 300% while inflation peaked at 23% in 1975.
At the time, shopping around wasn’t an option either as air fares were set by governments.
In 1974, a flight to Greek capital Athens cost 313% more in real terms than it does today.
Then, the average price was £80 – or £723 when adjusted for inflation – compared to £175 in August 2023.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the average return flight from the UK to Europe cost £123 in summer 2010 (£181 in today’s money), but had risen by 78% to £322 in 2023.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “For decade after decade, travel and holidays became cheaper and accessible to more people, so it’s worrying to uncover a recent trend of prices increasing, often significantly so.”
He added: “The cost of a day out has also risen by astronomical amounts, with many big London attractions charging fees that have outpaced inflation and are beyond the means of many people.”
He advised shopping around for flights, and checking for online vouchers for attractions.