Luxenburg, Christmas market.
Research by International Currency Exchange discovers the places in Europe you can spend New Year’s Eve on a budget.
With the festive period fast approaching, many of us will start to feel the panic set in around planning our New Year’s celebrations. Where to go, who to spend it with… how can we make sure that we’re having the best possible time when the clock strikes midnight?
Research [1] has found that in reality, roughly four out of five people (83%) are disappointed with their New Year's Eve celebrations, due to the high numbers of revellers and extortionate prices.
The average cost of four nights accommodation across the New Year period in London costs £472.50 [2] per person for two sharing. So on the night itself, by the time you’ve paid for a pint (typically costing around £4.50), a three course meal for two (costing on average £55) and got your taxi home (£22 for just 5km), your evening will cost you in excess of £200 when you factor in a night at hotel.
In light of this, International Currency Exchange (ICE), has found five spots where you can travel to this New Year and still spend less than celebrating in the British capital.
Five cheaper New Year's getaways, based on return flights from London and four nights accommodation in the city centre [3]:
- Dusseldorf, Germany – £213.60 pp
- Frankfurt, Germany – £226.58 pp
- Luxembourg City, Luxembourg- £228.88 pp
- Cologne, Germany – £261.48 pp
- Brussels, Belgium – £278.50 pp
Along with flights and accommodation, ICE broke down what you can expect to spend during your trip in terms of meal prices, beer and taxi fares in each location, to give you a rough estimate of what you could expect to spend on your trip. [4]
Dusseldorf, Germany
Fancy seeing in the New Year in a city known for its boundary-pushing architecture, vibrant nightlife and thriving art scene? If so, Dusseldorf could be the place for you.
|
Flights and four nights accommodation (average) |
£213.60 |
|
A meal for two (average) |
£40 |
|
A pint (average) |
£2.67 |
|
Taxi trip (5 km) |
£13.35 |
Frankfurt, Germany
The 2,000-year-old city has everything from skyscrapers, a thriving theatre district and scores of bars and dance clubs, meaning you will never be short of something to do during your stay.
|
Flights and four nights accommodation (average) |
£226.58 |
|
A meal for two (average) |
£44.47 |
|
A pint (average) |
£3.38 |
|
Taxi trip (5 km) |
£8.90 |
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
The Unesco-listed Old Town is one of Europe's most scenic capitals. With great museums and a top dining scene, Luxembourg could prove the perfect host city for this year’s New Year's Eve.
|
Flights and four nights accommodation (average) |
£228.88 |
|
A meal for two (average) |
£64.48 |
|
A pint (average) |
£3.56 |
|
Taxi trip (5 km) |
£13.35 |
Cologne, Germany
Cologne is regularly voted Germany’s single most popular tourist attraction. The city’s museum landscape is especially strong when it comes to art; but also has something in store for fans of chocolate, sports and even Roman history, so why not make the most of this and bring in the New Year in style.
|
Flights and four nights accommodation (average) |
£261.24 |
|
A meal for two (average) |
£42.24 |
|
A pint (average) |
£2.67 |
|
Taxi trip (5 km) |
£8.45 |
Brussels, Belgium
Known for its chocolate and beer, why not celebrate this New Year’s in Brussels? The Belgium capital is one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, with hip bars, cafes and vintage markets.
|
Flights and four nights accommodation (average) |
£226.58 |
|
A meal for two (average) |
£53.36 |
|
A pint (average) |
£3.50 |
|
Taxi trip (5 km) |
£8 |
Commenting on the findings, Louis Bridger, General Manager at International Currency Exchange, said: “So much expectation is placed on having the best New Year’s Eve, but with huge crowds in London and steep prices it is well worth looking at other places you can celebrate.
“It’s quite amazing that you can travel to an entirely different country for the same price as a four night stay in London. It’s well worth shopping around and seeing what other countries you can explore, and bring in 2018 in a totally different way.”
[1] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4076734/The-formula-good-New-Year-s-Eve-low-expectations-plans-fluid-says-psychologists.html#ixzz4xNqSX9vw
[2] Based on the average cost of a four night stay in a double room in a three star hotel in Central London. Costs calculated using Trivago on the 2nd November 2017.
[3] Based on four nights stay for two people in a three star hotel in a double room in the centre of the city. Flights based on a return ticket, flying from and returning to a London airport. Prices based on leaving 29th December 2017, returning on the 2nd January 2018. Prices true as of 2nd November 2017, with research undertaken using Skyscanner for flights and Trivago for hotels.
[3] Prices calculated using Numbeo’s Cost of Living – https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
