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Sleep on it: pre-flight hotel prices fall for third year running, despite rising inflation
Holiday Extras data shows airport hotel prices are moving against the wider cost trend, offering travellers a rare pre-holiday saving.
Short on time? Let us summarise this press release for you.
As the cost of jetting off remains holidaymakers' biggest travel concern, new analysis has revealed one pre-flight essential is bucking the trend.
The cost of everything from pints to petrol has climbed over the last few years, with daily spending sacrifices becoming second nature for consumers looking to safeguard their holiday budget and make the most of their time in the sun.
Yet as holidaymakers brace themselves for rising pre-flight costs to follow suit, data from Holiday Extras shows that the price of airport hotels has actually gone down, getting cheaper even as inflation bites.
The average airport hotel stay now costs £120.96, down from £126.62 in 2024 and £130.17 in 2023. That is a drop of more than 8% in just two years. Over the same period, inflation as measured by RPI rose by around 15%, meaning airport hotel prices have moved in the opposite direction to many other costs.
Since travel returned to normal in 2022, airport hotel prices have risen by less than 1% overall, effectively remaining flat during one of the most inflationary periods in decades.
A rare bright spot in the holiday budget
The findings follow the latest release of Holiday Extras' Travel Disruption Tracker, a quarterly study that monitors the issues consumers say impact their decision on where to travel.
The latest tracker named the rising cost of holidays as the biggest concern for holidaymakers booking their breaks in 2026, with almost half (48%) citing increases to the overall price of going on holiday, including flights, accommodation and airport costs, as one of the biggest influences on their travel choices.
Against that backdrop, falling airport hotel prices stand out as an unusual example of better value for money.
Parking prices also remain steady
The cost of another holiday essential, airport parking, has also remained steady. Last year, Holiday Extras reported the average cost per night as £12.20, up just 2.1% on 2024's £11.95. That increase remained below the 4.1% RPI inflation rate.
Travellers who turn up and pay on the day are still paying significantly more, however. Based on 3.5 million bookings, the average saving made by customers who booked in advance was £202 compared with paying on the gate.
With more early-morning departures than ever and airlines continuing to push ultra-early take-off times, getting organised and planning ahead has become increasingly important.
Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, said:
"Holidaymakers have become used to seeing prices rise almost everywhere, so the fact airport hotel prices have actually fallen will surprise a lot of people.
"When you compare that to wider inflation, it represents a strong value for travellers. Booking an airport hotel allows a more leisurely travel experience, with no 3am alarm, panicked motorway dash, or peak taxi fares, and now, for once, it is not adding inflation pain to the holiday bill.
"The key is booking early. The biggest savings we see are from customers who plan ahead rather than paying on the day at the airport, so planning ahead not only means you'll have the best choice of destinations and holidays, but more money to spend on activities, meals out, and quality time when you're actually there."
For more information, advice and tips on how to make the most of your budget, visit www.holidayextras.com.
Notes to Editors
1. Method: Survey of 1,000 qualified UK holidaymakers conducted 10 March 2026. Respondents have taken or are planning a holiday involving travel outside the UK. Figures represent the percentage citing each factor as likely to cause them to change or cancel travel plans.
2. Airport parking savings data: Calculated from 1 January to 16 December 2025.
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