When thinking of where to go on holiday, one major factor normally limits the destinations you can choose from — budget.
For a lot of UK travellers, this usually means visiting destinations in Europe. However, increasingly it is possible to travel further afield for the same price as a holiday in Europe.
Via TUI, the average week’s holiday package to Greece is around £750 per person. With Jet2 Holidays, you could go to Split and the Dalmatian Coast for £690 for a seven-night break, on average. With that benchmark in mind, we have highlighted five destinations outside of Europe that cost the same or less money than a week in the sunshine of Croatia or Greece.
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
Booking way in advance is one way to cut costs. For example, nearly a year away, flights for March 2, 2026, and return on March 9 to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, costs £96 return, flying from London with Wizz Air.
A hostel for two adults for the week-long trip can be found as low as £56. If you are after a little more luxury, a week’s stay at Serenity Lodge for the above dates would cost £265. The lodge includes breakfast, benefits from sea views and has a pool. The average price for a pint of beer in Egypt is around £1.26, and for a meal, you could spend between £5 and £15.
Dubai, UAE
One significant way to cut costs for holidays further afield is by booking flights that include a stopover. For example, on average a flight to Dubai costs £658, according to Kayak.
However, by adding stopovers you could bag a return to Dubai for £190. This would fly from London Luton at 7.25pm on Tuesday June 3, 2025 and land at your stopover, in Budapest at 10.55pm. You would have a 14 hour wait until your next flight, which would be at 12.55pm the following day. You would then land in Dubai at 8.35pm on Wednesday, June 4.
For the return flight, leave Dubai on Thursday, June 12 at 9.20pm and land in Bucharest at 1.35am. For the second part of your journey, you would then jet out of Bucharest at 7.40pm on June 13 and land back in London at 9.10pm. 2025.
For the dates above, a hostel can be found as low as £134. For a hotel, you will need to splash out a bit more. For example, the Gateway Hotel would cost £330 for two adults for the week-long trip, not including breakfast. However, the hotel does have an outdoor pool and public transport is close.
Be warned – the average cost of a pint in Dubai is quite steep at £9.46, and a meal will set you back around £21.05.
Fes, Morocco
If you fancy a holiday sooner rather than later, then return flights with Ryanair from London Stansted to Fes next week are only £30. You would fly out on Wednesday, March 19 at 2.35pm, arriving at 5.50pm and return on Wednesday, March 26 at 6.15pm, landing back in the UK at 9.35pm.
Due to the low cost of the flight, more can be spent on a hotel. However, if you wanted to remain on a tight budget a hotel for two people, for the dates above, can be found as low as £70. Those wanting to stay somewhere closer to the city’s top attractions could got for Ibis Fes, which costs £275 for two people on the March dates. This hotel also includes breakfast and an outdoor swimming pool.
Fes is the oldest city in Morocco, and is home to many fascinating places to explore. For example, The Medina of Fes is the main attraction and is where tourists spend most of their time. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a medieval labyrinth of more than 9,000 narrow winding alleys.
The average price for a pint of local beer is £2.39 and a basic meal can be found for under £5.57.
Sal, Cape Verde
Travelling from London Gatwick, on Wednesday January 28, 2026 at 10am and landing at 3.05pm at Amilcar Cabral International. Return on Wed, 4 Feb 2026 at 4.05pm and land at 11pm at Gatwick costs £179 with easyJet.
For the suggested dates, a room can be found as low as £192 for two adults. However, if you want to stay somewhere a bit more special, then Residencial Cabo Verde Palace, which sits on the beach, costs £375 for two adults for the week, and includes an “exceptional” breakfast. A pint can usually be found for under £2.52 and a standard meal will set you back around £12.60.
New York, USA
There is a flight on offer from London Heathrow at 10.55am which lands at JFK at 1.55pm, on Tuesday May 6, 2025 and returning on Monday May 12, at 7pm, landing back in London at 7.15am with Air France for £206.
A lot of holidaymakers can but put off by New York, as once you get there, it can be pricey. However, some good deals on accommodation can still be found, including hostels from £323.
A great way to also cut costs on accommodation in the Big Apple is by booking a private room in a hostel. Many hostels offer rooms with one single bed, or two single beds and this can be considerable cheaper than booking a hotel. For example, a two single-bed room at the Chelsea International Hostel costs £614 for two people, for the above dates.
Alternatively, you could stay at a Hilton Hotel for around £115 per night.