A quarter of people in Northern Ireland will not be able to afford a holiday getaway in 2026, according to new research.
Given January is the busiest time of the year for holiday bookings, travel insurance experts at CompareNI have researched top tips to help travellers find savings and snag a bargain amongst the new year sales –
in a bid to make holidays more affordable.
A survey by travel insurance experts at CompareNI.com, which asked 600 people about their holiday plans for the year ahead, found that 25% will not be taking any trips due to rising travel costs.
As stubbornly high living costs leave many households struggling to afford everyday essentials such as weekly food shops and energy bills, a growing number of people are being forced to make changes to their travel habits – or even forgo their holiday plans altogether.
Soaring airline and accommodation costs have seen all-inclusive package holidays from the UK to popular destinations such as Spain and Turkey
rocket in price.**
These rising costs have played a major role in reshaping travel trends, as budget-conscious holidaymakers look for ways to cut costs on trips, such as avoiding peak season - with a fifth of parents taking their kids out of school during term-time.
The CompareNI survey showed that 40% of travellers are planning shorter getaways than usual this year. This reflects a growing trend, as more UK tourists are opting for multiple short breaks – or ‘microcations’- rather than one longer annual trip to spread costs.
Meanwhile, staycations have become a popular alternative to holidaying abroad, with Northern Ireland residents accounting for 33% of all overnight stays here in 2024.
Some 15% of respondents told CompareNI they were planning a staycation this year, while more than one in 10 people (12%) said that although they would prefer a holiday abroad, they would be settling for a staycation due to budget constraints.
Despite ballooning costs, almost half of respondents (45%) said they still intend to jet off on a foreign holiday in 2026 - showing that travel remains high on the list of priorities for many people in Northern Ireland.
Ian Wilson, travel insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “As the cost-of-living crisis continues to hammer households across Northern Ireland, many people view holidays as a luxury they simply cannot afford.
“Even those who do intend to take a trip this year may find themselves struggling with inflated travel costs, which could force them to consider shorter breaks, booking during the off-season or staying closer to home.
“However, there are some key steps travellers can take to save money when booking their next trip.
“While summer may seem like a long way off, January may be the ideal time to book for those looking to secure a big discount, as this is when many travel providers start their sales.
“Leaving it late in the hopes of securing a last-minute deal can be risky, as flight prices for popular routes tend to get more expensive the closer it gets to the date of travel."
Whether it is a relaxing beach holiday, a snowy ski adventure or a short city break, the experts at CompareNI have put together some useful tips that could help travellers cut costs.
CompareNI’s top tips for travel savings:
Early bird gets the worm
While an early morning flight may not be everyone’s idea of a relaxing start to their holiday, it could be worth it if you want to grab a good deal. Many airlines sell morning flights at a cheaper price to make the flight more attractive. As a bonus, early flights are less likely to be delayed, as air traffic is not normally as busy in the morning.*****
Fly mid-week
Due to lower demand, the cheapest days to fly are typically Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you can, avoid travelling on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, as these are popular days for business travellers, which can push up prices.******
Be flexible
Having some flexibility with your travel dates and destination is one of the most effective ways to save money when booking a holiday. Rather than picking a set location and date range, keep an open mind of where and when you are prepared to travel. This will allow you to shop around and take advantage of the best possible deals.
Take out travel insurance as soon as you book
Ideally your travel insurance policy should start once you book your holiday, not the day your holiday starts. Doing this gives you added protection and means you’re likely covered for any unforeseen circumstances that might prevent you from going away in the first place.
CompareNI can help holidaymakers compare and find savings on annual travel insurance, travel insurance for families and even those who are need travel insurance for pre-existing conditions.
