Last minute holidaymakers can save up to 63 per cent on the price of a city break by departing in January or February, research shows.
The average price per person, per night for a short-haul city break for flights and a three or four star hotel in December is £179.60.
However, this drops to just £60 this month, according to data from holiday comparison site, TravelSupermarket, meaning bargain hunters can grab top deals.
Big Apple: New York is one of the destinations with the biggest discounts at the beginning of the year
It also shows that Krakow has become bargain-loving Britons’ favourite short-haul city break at this time of year, with the most searches on the site for the Polish city.
Travellers are able to save as much as 48 per cent by going in January which costs an an average of £49.71 a night, rather than in November which comes in at £98.20.
Meanwhile, New York was found to be the most popular long-haul city destination with tourists able to shave as much as 52 per cent off their holiday price by going in February.
It typically costs an average of £121.20 per night rather than the most expensive month, December which costs £253.80.
Emma Coulthurst, travel expert at TravelSupermarket said: ‘January and February 2020 is the time to go to your favourite city at as much as half the price or more than it would normally cost you.
‘People often don’t think or want to go away so close to Christmas as they tend to have already taken quite a lot of time off – as a result, it is one of the quietest times of the year to go.’
‘Fewer queues at major attractions and museums make up for any cooler temperatures.
‘However, if you crave sun with your city break, head to southern Mediterranean or North Africa cities.’
Visitors to Porto can save the most money by travelling in January as opposed to August
Below, we list the destinations around the world where holidaymakers can save the most money by travelling at the beginning of 2020, starting with those with the biggest discounts.
It analyses how much cheaper it would be to travel in January or February compared to the average price for the rest of the year:
1. Porto – January saving of 63%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Porto in January: £55.80
Most expensive month to travel to Porto: August when it is £150.20 – 169 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Eurostars das Artes (4 star) B&B. Depart Luton on 21 January for two nights for two people from £85pp
What to do: The coastal city of Porto in northwest Portugal is known for its port wine production and stately bridges.
Visitors can explore the beautiful churches including Clérigos Church, Porto Cathedral and the Monument Church of St Francis as well as walk around the numerous gardens and narrow, cobbled streets.
2. Marrakech – January saving of 60%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Marrakech in January: £48.55
Most expensive month to travel to Marrakech: September when it costs £121.76 – 151 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Riad and SPA Bahia Salam (4 star) B&B. Depart 14 January for four nights for two people from £156pp
What to do: As well as the shopping and museums, there are a number of historic sites to visit in Marrakech including the Bahia Palace, Saadien’s Tombs, Koutobia Mosque and the El Badii Palace.
Visitors to Las Vegas can save up to 125% by travelling in February as opposed to December
3. Las Vegas – February saving of 56%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Las Vegas in February: £112.55
Most expensive month to travel to Las Vegas: December when it costs £253.80 – 125 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: The LINQ Hotel and Casino (3 star) B&B. Depart 6 February from Heathrow for seven nights for two from £509pp
What to do: Las Vegas is one of the most famous destinations in the world and is known for its nightlife, gambling and entertainment.
Located in the Nevada desert, Vegas has plenty of casino-hotels to visit as well as nearby Grand Canyon and Death Valley.
4. Venice – January saving of 55%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Venice in January: £54.02
Most expensive month to travel to Venice: March when it costs £120.67 – 123 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Panorama Hotel (4 star) B&B. Depart 14 January for two nights for two from Stansted from £67pp
What to do: Venice is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea with no roads and just canals to travel along.
St Marks Square is one of the main tourist attractions as well as Saint Marks Basilica, a landmark cathedral.
Customers travelling to Venice can save 55% when travelling in January
5. New York – February saving 52%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to New York in February: £121.20
Most expensive month to travel to New York: December when it costs £253.80 – 109 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Holiday Inn Express New York City – Chelsea (3 star) B&B. Depart Gatwick on 4 February for seven nights for two people from £559pp
What to do: The Big Apple is one of the world’s most famous cities.
There are numerous sites to visit including Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Rockefeller centre, Times Square and the Empire State building.
6. Budapest – January saving 51%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Budapest in January: £46.60
Most expensive month to travel to Budapest: December when it costs £95.36 – 105 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Bohem Art Hotel (4 star) B&B. Depart 14 January from Stansted or Luton for two nights from £93pp
What to do: Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is divided into Buda and Pest.
Some of the most famous sites include Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes Square and Fisherman’s Bastion.
Expensive: It is 105% more expensive to travel to Budapest in January than it is in December
7. Barcelona – January saving 50%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Barcelona in January: £49.48
Most expensive month to travel to Barcelona: October when it costs £99.19 – 100 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Hotel Aranea (4 star) B&B. Depart 28 January for two nights from £76pp from Luton
What to do: The capital of Catalonia has plenty to offer tourists.
There are historical attractions including La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Casa Mila as well as a busy beach front with plenty of restaurants and bars.
8. Orlando – January saving 50%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Orlando in January: £54.16
Most expensive month to travel to Orlando: August when it costs £107.43 – 98 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Sunsol International Drive (3 star) B&B. Depart 21 January from Heathrow for seven nights for two people from £494pp
What to do: Orlando is a central city in Florida and is most well known for being home to a number of theme parks including Universal Studios, Walt Disney World Resort and Magic Kingdom Park.
Orlando is a central city in Florida and is most well known for being home to some theme parks
9. Chicago – January saving of 50%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Chicago in January: £54.16
Most expensive month to travel to Chicago: August when it costs £107.43 – 98 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Swissôtel Chicago (4 star) room only. Depart Heathrow on 6 February for five nights for two people from £527pp
What to do: Chicago is one of the largest cities in the US and is famed for its architecture.
Tourists can visit Millennium Park, Willis Tower and Navy Pier whilst the Skydeck gives a full view of the city from above.
10. Krakow – January saving 48%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Krakow in January: £50.69
Most expensive month to travel to Krakow: November when it costs £98.20 – 94 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Golden Tulip Krakow City Center Hotel (4 star) B&B. Depart Manchester on 21 January for two nights from £91pp or from £113pp from Leeds
What to do: Krakow is a city known for its historical attractions including the Wieliczka Salt Mine, St Marys Basilica and the Wawel Royal Castle.
However, it is also known for its close proximity to the Polish concentration camp, Auschwitz, which attracts many visitors every year.
Krakow is known for its historical sites including the Wieliczka Salt Mine & St Marys Basilica
11. Rome – January saving 47%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Rome in January: £52.74
Most expensive month to travel to Rome: October when it costs £99.44 – 88 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: El Dorado Vatican B&B (4 star) B&B. Depart 15 January from Gatwick for two nights for two people from £94pp
What to do: The capital city of Italy is home to multiple historical attractions including the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and St Peter’s Basilica.
There is also the Roman Forum, which is a forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the centre of the city of Rome.
12. Prague – January saving 44%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Prague in January: £53.43
Most expensive month to travel to Prague: September when it costs £99.46 – 77 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Hotel Theatrino (4 star) B&B. Depart Manchester 30 January for two nights for two people from £91pppn
What to do: Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is known for its Old Town Square, Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral.
Prague has plenty of attractions including Old Town Square, its castle & St Vitus Cathedral
13. Boston – February saving 38%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Boston in February: £112.40
Most expensive month to travel to Boston: October when it costs £180.25 – 60 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston – Downtown (4 star) B&B. Depart Gatwick on 4 February for seven nights for two people from £673pp
What to do: Boston is Massachusetts’ capital and largest city. Visitors can explore the Freedom Trail, Boston Common and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Sports fans can also visit Fenway Park, the home of the Red Sox.
14. Berlin – January saving 32%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Berlin in January: £52.06
Most expensive month to travel to Berlin: September when it costs £77.12 – 48 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: NH Berlin City Ost Hotel (4 star) B&B. Depart Stansted on 7 January for two nights for two people from £58pp
What to do: Germany’s capital has plenty of reminders of the city’s turbulent history including its Holocaust memorial and the Berlin Wall’s remains.
Holidaymakers can also visit the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building.
15. Los Angeles – January saving 23%
Average price per person, per night for travelling to Los Angeles in January: £111.68
Most expensive month to travel to Los Angeles: November when it costs £145.24 – 30 per cent more expensive.
Example deal: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Clarita (3 star) B&B. Depart 24 February from Gatwick for seven nights for two from £662pp
What to do: Los Angeles is the home to the film and television industry with thousands of films and TV shows being made in the city. Visitors can enjoy Universal Studios, Disneyland Park, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Griffith Observatory.
All savings were calculated by working out the price difference between the average price per night in January and the price per night in the most expensive month of the year.
All TravelSupermarket price searches for 2020 were looked at for all searches made on the site for departures this year, up to 12 December 2019.
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