This August Bank Holiday, more Brits are making the most of the good weather by staying close to home, with overall searches for domestic flights increasing by 8% year-on-year, according to new data from KAYAK, the world’s leading travel search engine.
But while staycations may be on the rise, they don’t always equate to savings. Return domestic airfares cost on average £101 across the bank holiday weekend, 17% higher than in 2024.
Edinburgh is one of the most searched for getaways seeing a 6% increase in searches compared to last year, but also a 9% increase in price – with average return flights at £82.
Europe still offers good value for short-haul escapes
Although searches for domestic travel have increased, short-haul getaways within Europe remain desirable for Brits, with Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona among the most searched for destinations with many seeing a drop in return flight prices compared to last year.
However, a majority of these European destinations are less popular than in 2024. According to KAYAK data, Lisbon has seen a 21% decrease in flight searches compared to last year, in addition to searches to Amsterdam dropping by 12%, and Barcelona searches reducing by 9%.
For Brits looking to make the most of a short-haul getaway, city breaks to Dublin come in at £71 for an average economy return flight over the long weekend. In fact, the Irish capital offers one of the best value flight deals this bank holiday, with a 16% decrease in costs compared to the same time last year. The city comes alive in high summer with festivals, concerts, and outdoor activities, making Dublin the ideal short-haul escape for those looking to make the most of their money.
If you’re after sun-soaked Mediterranean coastlines, return economy flights to the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca are both under £200 on average, dropping 16% and 12% respectively compared to last year.
Top 10 most-searched destinations for the August long weekend
| Rank by flight searches | Destination city | % change in flight searches YoY (2025 vs 2024) | % change in average flight price YoY (2025 vs 2024) | Average Price for Return Economy Flight in 2025 | Average Price for Return Economy Flight in 2024 |
| 1 | Paris | -7% | 8% | £138 | £128 |
| 2 | Amsterdam | -12% | -2% | £167 | £170 |
| 3 | Barcelona | -9% | -16% | £165 | £196 |
| 4 | Palma de Mallorca | -1% | -12% | £185 | £212 |
| 5 | Alicante | 19% | -7% | £216 | £231 |
| 6 | Rome | 15% | -5% | £209 | £221 |
| 7 | Dublin | -3% | -16% | £71 | £85 |
| 8 | Málaga | 1% | -15% | £209 | £247 |
| 9 | Edinburgh | 5% | 9% | £82 | £75 |
| 10 | Lisbon | -21% | 6% | £261 | £247 |
“It’s a tale of two travel types this August Bank Holiday,” says Rachel Mumford, UK Travel Expert at KAYAK.co.uk. “While many are staying local and making the most of the unusually warm weather we’re having in the UK, our data shows staycations aren’t always cheaper than travelling abroad.
“Those who look abroad can still find good value on flights – especially to Spain and Ireland. Whether you’re chasing sun, savings or a city break, there are some great deals to be found.”
Rachel’s hacks for saving money during this August bank holiday:
- Move fast – Prices climb closer to departure, especially for weekends. Snap up your deal before others do.
- Time your staycation right – Thinking of turning the long weekend into a proper break? Set off a bit earlier and you could save a tidy sum. A five-night stay in the UK with a check-in on 20 August costs £81 per night on average, whereas a four-night stay with a check-in on 23 August costs £112 per night on average. Stay longer and spend less overall.
- Catch the first flight out – Morning flights are often cheaper and less likely to be delayed. Win-win.
For more information, head to KAYAK.co.uk
