Last Updated: 20 Feb 2024
Craving an escape that's big on adventure but easy on the pocket? Now, more than ever, we're all looking for destinations that offer great experiences without draining our wallets. Fortunately, recent research from Post Office Travel Money has spotlighted some of the cheapest holiday hotspots around the world. We're talking real value — affordable accommodation, scrumptious meals that won't cost a fortune, wallet-friendly shopping, and even a pint or a cocktail.
We've sifted through the list using our British Airways Reward Flight Finder to bring you the destinations that aren't just wallet-friendly, but also accessible when you use your Avios points for flights. This means you're not just saving on ground costs like meals and accommodation, you're also saving on your flights, making it a true win-win.
Read on to find the cheapest destinations you can fly to with your Avios points.
Cape Town, South Africa
In Cape Town, the only thing higher than your spirits is Table Mountain. Within moments of landing in this multicultural city, you could find yourself winding through the vibrant Bo-Kaap district, a riot of colour in architecture and local personality. But the fun doesn't stop there. Walk through Kirstenbosch, one of the world's most renowned botanical gardens, or venture out of the city for a vineyard tour where the wine is as superb as the views. Still thirsty for more? Kick it into high gear on the Cape Peninsula, one of the globe's most jaw-droppingly beautiful road trips.
Whether you're sipping craft beer in trendy Woodstock, exploring the waterfront, or ascending Table Mountain to catch the kind of sunset that makes you forget to blink, Cape Town is a nature-lover’s playground.
And don't forget — this city is as kind to your budget as it is to your Instagram feed. Thanks to the South African rand doing a 16% dive against the British pound, your holiday spending just got a good boost. We're talking about keenly priced delights that will have you sipping, dining, and sunning without wincing at your bank app.
Here's the lowdown on what some of your daily essentials would cost:
- A filter coffee will set you back just £1.40.
- Enjoy a local brew for £1.60.
- Quench your thirst with a 1.5L water bottle for only £0.65.
- Stock up on 200ml of sunblock for £5.40.
- Indulge in a three-course dinner for two, complete with a bottle of house wine, all for £35.80.
When you book a reward flight with Avios, you can fly in Premium Economy off-peak return for 95,000 points and £330, making this adventure even more attainable.
Marmaris, Turkey
Step off the plane in Marmaris and feel the warm Mediterranean breeze sweep over you. In Marmaris, the adventures are as diverse as the landscapes. Try your hand at windsurfing, and dance across the face of the Aegean as you catch the perfect gust. Or swap sea for soil and wander through pine-scented trails that offer panoramic vistas at every turn. If history calls your name, the ancient city of Ephesus is a day trip away, offering a chance to walk through millennia-old ruins.
And when the stars come out, Marmaris undergoes a transformation. The setting sun sets the stage for a pulsating nightlife. Salsa your way through downtown clubs or enjoy a quiet cocktail as you watch traditional Turkish gulets bobbing in the moonlit harbour.
Here's how your wallet will fare with some of the daily essentials in Marmaris:
- Enjoy a cup of filter coffee for just £1.45.
- Get a bottle of local beer for a reasonable £2.84.
- Keep hydrated with a 1.5L water bottle for £0.15.
- Protect your skin with 200ml of sunblock for £6.48.
- Experience a three-course dinner for two with a bottle of house wine for just £40.30.
Your Avios can take you to this Mediterranean marvel in Economy off-peak return for 27,500 points and £1, making this getaway more affordable than you might have thought.
Algarve, Portugal
As one of Europe's coveted slices of paradise, the Algarve has more to its name than just golden beaches and sun-soaked days. Imagine waking up to surf the rolling waves at dawn, and later teeing off at a cliff-top golf course as the sunset turns the sky into a painter's palette.
Here, you can explore hidden coves, kayak through sea caves, or test your balance with a paddleboard at the Praia da Marinha. If surfing’s not your thing, perhaps a round of golf at one of the world-class courses that dot the coastline is more your speed. And let’s not forget the local markets, where you can taste authentic Portuguese treats like "pastéis de nata," or egg custard tarts.
Boosted by the reasonable cost of living, your holiday essentials come without the premium price tag:
- Savour a cup of filter coffee for a mere £0.80.
- Enjoy a bottle of local beer at just £2.20.
- Stay hydrated with a 1.5L bottle of water costing only £0.55.
- Protect your skin with 200ml of sun cream for £7.20.
- Dine out in style with a three-course evening meal for two, with a bottle of house wine, all for £39.30.
Suppose you’re comfortable flying economy off-peak return. In that case, you can book a reward flight with Avios to this Atlantic oasis for just 23,500 Avios points and £1, making your journey to the Algarve an all-around win for the wallet and the soul.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo feels like a futuristic playground and an ancient sanctuary all at once. From the cacophony of Shibuya Crossing to the hushed whispers of the Meiji Shrine, Tokyo marries the old and the new. Bow at the centuries-old temples, savour skewers from yakitori stands, and revel in the neon wonder of Shin. Munch on yakitori from a food stall before tiptoeing into a Golden Gai bar that's about the size of a broom closet. Then, why not chase it with a little sumo action or a fleeting moment beneath cherry blossoms with more Instagram followers than you?
Of course, this slice of sensory overload comes with its own price tag, but even in one of the world's most expensive cities, there are ways to stretch your yen. Here's the 411 on the cost of some daily essentials:
- A cup of filter coffee comes in at £2.30.
- For beer enthusiasts, a bottle of local brew will set you back £4.25.
- Keep hydrated with a 1.5L bottle of water for only £0.65.
- A 200ml bottle of suncream is affordably priced at £4.35.
- Experience a culinary adventure with a three-course evening meal for two, including a bottle of house wine, for £50.
If you use your Avios points for flights, you can fly Premium Economy off-peak return to Tokyo for 100,000 Avios points and £380.
Sharm El Sheik, Egypt
Touchdown in a slice of Egypt that's not about the pyramids or ancient history, but about modern-day adventures and aquatic escapades. Dive into an underwater playground of coral reefs and forgotten shipwrecks. Newbies and old hands alike, the sea here doesn't discriminate. More of a landlubber? Let a camel be your chariot into the Sinai Desert, where you can sandboard down dunes that look like giant scoops of caramel ice cream.
A landscape that shifts from sun-soaked sandy beaches to underwater Technicolor dreamscapes, Sharm El Sheik is your ticket to flip-flops by day and belly-dancing by night.
Your bank account can keep its cool while you turn up the heat:
- For that caffeine fix, a filter coffee is just £1.25.
- Unwind with a local beer for only £2.95.
- A 1.5L bottle of water comes to £0.30
- Sun cream can be purchased for £10.90
- A three-course dinner for two with house wine can be enjoyed for £46.40.
According to our British Airways Reward Flight Finder, Avios can jet you there in Economy off-peak return for 27,500 points and a single British pound.