Latest news with #affordableTravel
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
10 Cheapest National Parks To Fly To This Summer
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the cheapest parks to fly to this summer. Few vacations are more iconic—and more affordable—for American families than a trip to a National Park. But even these historically low-cost getaways are getting pricier. According to Dollar Flight Club, the cost of accommodations near parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite has climbed by as much as 30%, and demand for rental cars can cause prices to skyrocket on peak weekends. Visiting the National Parks can get expensive faster than you might expect. To help families stretch their travel budgets, researchers at Dollar Flight Club crunched the numbers on more than 300,000 airfare records from U.S. departure cities to airports within a reasonable drive of a National Park to see which routes have the most affordable flights this summer. The data was collected from a mix of airline partners, online travel agencies, and the brand's internal tools. They found that overall, travelers can save more than $500 by flying into the most affordable gateway airports near National Parks. Choosing to visit one park over another could lead to even bigger savings, making it worth comparing flight prices before locking in your plans. Here are the 10 cheapest National Parks to fly to this summer, according to Dollar Flight Club. Low-cost flights to Las Vegas make it easier to see Zion National Park on a budget. Two of the most popular National Parks—Zion and Grand Canyon—also happen to be the most affordable to fly to, according to the Dollar Flight Club report. Round-trip economy flights can range from $29 to $163 per person when you fly to Las Vegas, putting you just a few hours' drive away from either of these popular parks. Want to visit the Grand Canyon? Try flying into Phoenix to get a deal on airfare. You've got options if you're looking for a cheap trip to the Grand Canyon. If you can't score a deal on flights to Las Vegas, try using Phoenix as an alternative gateway to the park. Round-trip flights to Phoenix range from $32 to $177 this summer, based on the Dollar Flight Club analysis. When you land, you'll be just about 3.5 hours away from the Grand Canyon's South Rim and under two hours from Saguaro National Park. Arches is one of the cheapest National Parks to visit this summer. Arches and Canyonlands took third on the list of the cheapest National Parks to fly to in this ranking. Round-trip flights to Salt Lake City, roughly four hours away from these two magnificent parks, run between $84 and $250 on average this summer. Bonus: These parks are typically way less crowded than Zion. Pinnacles National Park is just three hours south of San Francisco, where you can get a deal on airfare. You've got your choice when it comes to National Parks you can visit on a reasonable drive from San Francisco. Head four hours east to hit Yosemite or drive three hours south to visit Pinnacles. With round-trip airfare averaging between $129 and $397 this summer, SFO is one of the most affordable places to jumpstart a National Park adventure. You can see Rocky Mountain National Park on a budget thanks to relatively low-cost flights into Denver. Round-trip economy airfare from major U.S. departure cities to Denver is clocking in at $132 to $299 this summer, making Rocky Mountain National Park the fifth cheapest park to visit. And you won't be in the car for hours on end after you land—the park is just 90 minutes away from Denver, so you can make the most of your limited time off. Round-trip flights to Seattle are relatively affordable this summer, making it less expensive to visit Mount Rainier National Park. Mount Rainier National Park dazzles travelers with wildflower meadows and glacier views in the summer. Those views don't have to come at the cost of your entire travel budget, though. Round-trip flights to the gateway city of Seattle (just a two-hour drive from the park) range from $137 to $400 this summer. Yosemite National Park took both the 4th and 7th spots on the list of the cheapest National Parks to fly to this summer. If you're dreaming of a trip to Yosemite—but dreading the drive from San Francisco—try flying into Fresno. It's just 90 minutes from the park and flights are only slightly more expensive, ranging from $177 to $393 round-trip this summer. Skip the regional airports and fly into Spokane if you want to get cheap airfare for a trip to Glacier National Park this summer. Flying into Spokane gives you affordable access to Glacier National Park's west entrance—without the premium price tag of closer regional airports. Round-trip fares this summer range from $188 to $399, according to Dollar Flight Club. From there, it's about a 4.5-hour drive to the park entrance. Yellowstone's stunning waterfalls can be less expensive to reach by flying into Bozeman. Want to see Yellowstone's geysers and wildlife on a budget? Try flying into Bozeman. It's about 90 minutes away from the park's north entrance and offers round-trip flights from $202 to $499 this summer—a steal compared to flying into Jackson Hole. While Jackson Hole is one of the more expensive airports on this list, it's just 15 minutes away from Grand Teton National Park. Round-trip flights to Jackson Hole range from $400 to $600 this summer—the highest airfare on this list, but still a solid value for a National Park getaway. That's because Jackson Hole puts you closer to incredible parks than most gateway airports: it's just 15 minutes from Grand Teton and about an hour from Yellowstone. So while airfare may cost a bit more, you could end up saving on rental car fees and gas thanks to the shorter drive.
Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The most affordable holidays in France this summer
Creamy brie smeared on a crusty baguette, crisp local wines sipped in a sun-dappled square and Alpine wildflower meadows to roam – our love affair with French holidays shows no signs of fading. A recent poll by Ink Digital may have ranked our neighbour across the Channel as the second least-affordable half-term destination worldwide, but we've got you covered. We've sourced 15 affordable escapes – from beach holidays and mountain retreats to city breaks and luxury for less – that offer value without draining your savings or cutting corners on quality. What's more, they've all still got availability remaining this year. Remember, affordable doesn't mean cheap; it means sourcing smart alternatives. For example, a seaside apartment in the Languedoc can offer the same sun and sea as the Riviera at a fraction of the cost, and smaller cities like Carcassonne or La Rochelle offer similar cultural depth to Paris, without the inflated price tag. Plus, it's so close that those conscious of their carbon footprint can swap planes for trains and ferries. Find the perfect break for you: Beaches Mountains Families/groups Luxury for less City breaks Beach Charente Maritime Charente Maritime, on the west coast of France, is a little-known alternative to the Cote d'Azur – it's far enough south to rival the Mediterranean coast for sunshine in the summer, and its beaches are big and sandy. Its capital is La Rochelle, but day trips to the seaside villages of Royan, Cognac and La Tremblade – world famous for its oysters and mussels – are a must. A seafood platter here costs around €24 in comparison to €40 to €100 around Nice. How to do it Siblu (020 8610 0186) offers a week in a two-bedroom self-catering holiday home at Les Charmettes sleeping four people from £1,121 total, departing August 16. Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen start from £831 return with Brittany Ferries. Corsica Don't overlook Corsica, the Mediterranean's French-owned island with more than 200 beaches. For the last few years, August has been a quiet month and travellers can benefit from prices lowered to lure them back. Pick up picnic supplies at the rustic L'Île-Rousse market, then laze on nearby Calvi Beach, or head south to seek out the iconic horseshoe bay at Palombaggia, the Instagram-worthy pontoon posted on the turquoise waters of Santa Giulia Beach, or to pretty pine forest-backed Pinarello Beach. How to do it Corsican Places (01489 866931) offers seven nights at L'Ancre Bleue, a four-bedroom villa with a private pool and panoramic bay views from £699 per person, based on eight sharing in June, including flights and car hire. Easyjet fly direct from Gatwick to Figari from £105 return. Cote d'Azur Prefer to be on the soles of your feet, instead of sunbathing? Why not walk the glistening Cote d'Azur coastline? Home to glitzy Monaco and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, this stretch of southern France is notoriously expensive, but this self-guided walking tour, which flows at a sedate pace, comes in well below the usual £1,000 holiday budget. Enjoy views of pastel-coloured mansions tumbling down to beaches, citrus tree-scented air and long seafood lunches. How to do it KE Adventure (01768 773 966) offers the seven-day Walking Menton to Nice trip from March to December from £785 per person, including accommodation, some meals, self-guided information pack, luggage transfers, but excluding flights. Mountains Clarée Valley The French Alps aren't just for snow bunnies with deep pockets. Come summer, think: wildflower meadows, larch forests and cooling glacial lakes. Most holidaymakers invariably head to the Alpine honeypots of Chamonix and Lake Annecy, but opt instead for the Clarée Valley, a well-kept secret near the Italian border that was saved from over-development by a local farmer's daughter. Follow its walking trails with an experienced guide and support family-run hotels to find the best value in this affordable alternative. How to do it Mountain Kingdoms (01453 844 400) offers an eight-day guided Clarée Valley walking holiday from £2,070 per person, including, accommodation, meals and flights. Departing July 6, August 17 and October 12. Morzine Seeking complete seclusion? Golèse Refuge is a new remote mountain hut couched between the Giffre and Manche valleys, based at 1,660 metres and completely unreachable by car. A 1.5-hour hike from the town of Chardonnière, it sits amid sweeping mountain pastures and is the ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding peaks of Bostan, the Dents Blanches, or even the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc. Refuel in its snug rustic restaurant, dishing up regional Savoyards specialities. How to do it A four-night stay at Golèse Refuge (0033 450 9059 53) in a private room, half board, costs from £244 per person. Easyjet fly from London Gatwick to Geneva from £57 return. Families/groups Mercantour National Park Want to walk but have young ones that lack enthusiasm – bring a donkey! This self-guided family walking tour, suitable for children aged five and above, explores the undiscovered Mercantour National Park and equips you with a well-cared-for donkey to carry your bags and keep morale high. Staying in a mix of ecolodges, yurts, hotels and mountain inns, you'll follow old postman trails between hamlets, with time for picnics and four-legged cuddles. How to do it Responsible Travel (01273 823 700) offers the self-guided six-day Mercantour Family Walking Holiday from £589 per person, including full board accommodation, but excluding flights, departing mid-May to mid-September. British Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to Nice from £189 return. Canal du Midi Bundling everyone onto a boat often works out far cheaper than purchasing multiple hotel rooms. Try the Canal du Midi, a 150-mile-long Unesco-listed 17th-century waterway that threads through the vineyards, medieval towns and canal-side villages of the Languedoc region. With no experience required, families and groups can hire their own boat and pootle along (dog in tow too) stopping for wine tastings at Château de Ventenac, swimming at Jouarres Lake near Homps, strolling through Carcassonne's medieval citadel or for go-karting and mini-golf in Vias. How to do it Le Boat (020 3993 1218) offers a seven-night self-catered stay on board Caprice, sleeping up to six people, starting and ending in Port Cassafières, from £209 per person, departing October 16. Ryanair fly from London Stanstead to Béziers from £57 return. Luberon If you're seeking something for a special occasion, why not hire an entire hamlet? Located in Luberon, 40km north of Aix-en-Provence, Le Grand Banc is a secluded hamlet with 10 houses (sleeping up to 24) set along a private cobbled street. Each home sleeps between two and five people, is individually styled with art and sculptures and offers idyllic views. All guests dine together around the huge outside marble table, there's a saltwater pool, table tennis, pétanque, and e-bikes available to hire. Perhaps a little pricey per head, but a bargain when you have the whole village to yourself. How to do it Scott Williams (01749 812721) offers a seven-night stay at Le Grand Banc from £750 per person based on 24 sharing, including a cook to prepare meals and daily maid service. Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Marseilles from £109 return, or travel by TGV to Avignon (1hr30 away). Luxury for less Carcassonne For a guilt-free dose of indulgence, book La Belle Eco – a bewitching 19th-century manor with nine rooms just outside Unesco-listed Carcassonne, that combines Art Deco sophistication with eco-friendly refurbishments such as solar panels, a secret organic garden and a naturally purified swimming pool. How to do it La Belle offer a two-night stay at La Belle Eco from €380 based on two sharing a luxury double room with breakfast. Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Carcassonne from £100 return. Villeréal Live out your Marie Antoinette fantasies at Château Majestic, an 18th-century moat-encircled stone mansion set in 10 hectares of private gardens just five minutes from Villeréal, one of France's most beautiful villages, famed for its food markets. Sleeping up to 14 people beneath its soaring ceilings, it flaunts its own herb garden, hammocks, private gym and heated swimming pool. How to do it CV Villas (020 3993 4088) offer seven nights at Chateau Majestic from £664 per person, including return flights from London based on full occupancy. Lot Valley Set near the Midi-Pyrenees region of Southern France, the deeply rural vineyard-studded Lot Valley only reached the British holiday radars in the last decade and is a top pick for affordable stone villas with pools. Try Le Saltrou near Floressas, which sleeps four in the main building and has a separate garden suite for two (ideal for grandparents or teenagers), plus a garden-framed pool. It's 45 minutes from the historical and art-rich Cahors and its Unesco-listed Valentré Bridge. How to do it Vintage Travel (01954 261 431) offers a week's stay at Le Saltrou from £468 per person, based on six sharing and including return flights from Gatwick to Bergerac and car hire, departing August 30. City breaks Nice The second capital of the Cote d'Azur is known for its city beach, warren-like Old Town, Matisse and Marc Chagall museums, plus it's just a 30-minute drive from Calanques – one of France's newest national parks, home to secluded beaches and hidden coves for snorkelling. Find high design at hostel prices at hip chain Mama Shelter, located in Nice's central Cours Julien district. Suitable for singles, couples and families, perks include free in-room movies, live music sessions and giant table football. How to do it Mama Shelter Nice (0033 428 9511 95) offers a Large Mama Family room with a lounge for four people from £272 per night. Ryanair fly from London Stanstead to Marseille from £97 return. Northern cities If you want to do it all, this whirlwind tour of France's standout northern cities has you covered. Kicking off and ending in Paris, there's time for a fresh croissant and a visit to the Mona Lisa, before winding to Normandy's Mont Saint-Michel, the D-Day landing beaches and the Bayeux tapestry. Then move onto Reims for a city tour toasted with a flute or two of champagne from the surrounding vineyards. How to do it Contiki (0808 281 1120) offers the seven-day France in a Week guided tour from £921 per person, including accommodation, some meals, but not international travel. Departures in June and August. Eurostar runs from London Kings Cross to Paris Gard du Nord from £167 return. Paris Finding an affordable bed in the City of Love isn't for the faint of heart. A solution might be Generator Paris, a hostel/hotel designed like a Parisian art-house movie, right in the heart of the 10th Arrondissement and just a 15-minute walk from Eurostar's Gare du Nord. Ideal for friends and families, it's surrounded by hip art galleries and cafés, plus its rooftop cocktail bar has Moulin Rouge -worthy views of Montmartre. How to do it Generator Paris (0033 170 9884 13) offers a five-night stay in an ensuite Deluxe King from £607 per room – use code 20STAY until July 31 for 20 per cent of stays of four nights or more. Eurostar runs from London Kings Cross to Paris Gard du Nord from £167 return. Lyon For bon vivants, Lyon steals the chef's cap from Paris thanks to its distinctive bouchons dishing up local and affordable specialities such as andouillette, quenelles (dumplings) and bugnes (sweet fritters). Foodies will be right at home in the new Cour des Loges, a historic hotel with a gastronomic restaurant led by chef Anthony Bonnet that's competitively priced for its location in the heart of the historic Old Town. June also marks the Lyon Street Food Festival (25 to 29), so prepare to let your belt out a notch… or three. How to do it Cours des Loges offers double rooms from £281 per night, B&B. Easyjet ( fly from London Luton to Lyon-Saint Exupéry from £78 return.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Places you can travel on the train for under £10 from Darlington - with one at £2.33
As the cost of living continues to bite, many residents are seeking affordable ways to enjoy days out or quick getaways. The good news? Some of the cheapest train fares in the UK are available from Darlington, and a bit of planning can unlock serious savings. A review of rail routes shows that passengers can reach a variety of popular destinations for under £10 when booking in advance. Nearby Middlesbrough tops the list, with one-way tickets starting from as little as £2.33. Durham, known for its historic cathedral and quaint city centre, is another low-cost gem at around £5.05. For those willing to travel a bit further, cities like Newcastle (£5.44) and York (£6.60) offer vibrant culture, shopping and architecture – all within budget. Even Leeds, a major urban hub with a dynamic food and arts scene, is accessible for just £8.54. Rail operators, including LNER and Northern Rail recommend booking early, as many of these fares are tied to advance purchase tickets. Off-peak travel also offers discounts, with reduced fares outside of busy commuter times. Experts also advise taking advantage of national railcards, which can cut costs by up to a third. Options include the 16–25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, and Family & Friends Railcard, among others. For savvy travellers, websites such as Split My Fare and Trainline offer tools to find the cheapest ticket combinations – sometimes through a method known as split ticketing, where the journey is broken into multiple legs to save money. Read next: Sir John Hall hails 'moment in history' after first Durham Reform council meeting Daughter still searching for answers in dad's infected blood death 49 years on Tragedy as body found in search for missing GP and Northern Echo columnist lick here to join our WhatsApp community and get breaking news updates direct to your phone. With summer on the horizon, Darlington residents looking for a wallet-friendly escape may not need to travel far. From market towns to bustling cities, a rich variety of destinations lies just a short and cheap train ride away. For the latest deals, visit or the official National Rail Fare Finder.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Cannock sisters' day trips an 'affordable way to see the world'
Two sisters who have been trying out "extreme day trips", where they fly abroad and return home in time for bed, say it is an affordable way to see the getting the one-day travel bug herself, Gina Rowbery from Cannock, Staffordshire, got her sister Toni to join her on a day trip to Majorca."The world's your oyster I suppose, especially at those prices," said Toni, adding she had been "a bit apprehensive" but had had a brilliant are concerns the trend is bad for the environment, as it encourages airlines to put on extra flights. Gina said she was "massively surprised" at how much the pair got done in just six-and-a-half hours in Palma de Mallorca. "We left the airport, caught a bus into Palma old town, saw the old streets and statues, a beautiful abbey," said Toni. "You've got the cathedral, you've got the castle, you've got the seafront - there's just so much to do."It was absolutely brilliant. It was worth every penny." Such trips have exploded in popularity recently - with one UK-based Facebook page growing from 3,000 members to more than 300,000 in the past few Cracknell, who runs the Extreme Day Trips group, said it ultimately came down to affordability."If you want to go on a day trip to Edinburgh on the train, you're talking hundreds and hundreds of pounds, where you can go to Pisa or Milan with one of the budget airlines for about £20 each return," he said it was "a shame" the expense of public transport in the UK meant people were not encouraged to use it."Days out and travelling within this country needs to be made more affordable for families," he added. The sisters said they would "100% continue" to do the quickie trips, flying out from nearby Birmingham Airport."I've been to Paris, Dublin, and Majorca so far, and I'll definitely do more," said Gina."Being able to do it in such a short time space is nice because you don't spend any extra money on accommodation, and you don't even need to use annual leave from work."Toni added: "I'd love to go to Rome, which is on my bucket list. Poland, Hungary, Budapest - there's a big wide world out there, why not experience it?" 'Artificially cheap' Despite the surge in interest, extreme day trips have been criticised for their impact on climate obligations and the UK are responsible for 2.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 8% of UK Aviation Environment Federation called it "a sad state of affairs" that flying abroad for 24 hours seemed more attractive than a UK day trip and highlighted that the environmental cost was not reflected in the price of flights."This is all reflective of the fact that flying is artificially cheap," a spokesperson said."These artificially low prices mean that more people leave the UK than come in as tourists - and result in a £32bn travel spending deficit to the UK economy." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Uber to roll out ride-sharing across UK in ‘game-changer' for affordable travel
Uber users in cities across the UK will be able to cut journey costs by sharing cars with strangers. The ride-hailing app company described the expansion of its UberX Share service as 'a game-changer for affordable, sustainable travel'. The option will be available in all major UK locations served by Uber except London by the end of June. It will not be introduced in the capital until later this year because of 'differing local regulations', the company said. UberX Share has been popular with people making leisure trips at night and commuters during a trial running in Bristol since November 2024, Uber said. The service enables passengers to share cars with other users travelling in the same direction, in return for a cost reduction of up to 20%. Uber said it is designed to add no more than an average of eight minutes to journeys. The company added that pairing up passengers aligns with its 'efforts to reduce congestion and emissions in urban areas', as sharing journeys means 'fewer cars are needed to complete trips'. Uber's UK general manager Andrew Brem said: 'UberX Share is a game-changer for affordable, sustainable travel in the UK. 'This service not only helps riders save money, but also reduces the number of vehicles on the road, cutting emissions and helping ease congestion in our towns and cities.' Uber previously offered journey sharing in London under a service named UberPool, but this was suspended in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
