Save on average 41% on your weekend city break The weekend city break has become increasingly popular amongst holidaymakers. The attraction of romance in Paris, or the outstanding sites to Barcelona, a weekend visit is featuring more in holidaymaker’s things to do. With such a trip bearing a price tag, you can find comfort in knowing that you can save on average 41% on your city break accommodation, only by booking a place 5 miles from the city centre, compared to the centre itself. On average, you can save €63 per room per night by being 5 miles from a city’s centre, according to research conducted by travelsupermarket.com. By venturing 5 miles out of Venice, the Veneto capital, you’ll be saving around 44%, that’s €73 per night per room. Not only that, you could get a better quality hotel by being a little further from the centre. The central 2 star Falier hotel is offering a room for €134.83 per night, while the 4 star Residenza Delfino, 5 miles out, has a room for €70.18 per night, a saving of €64.65 (that’s €129.30 over the weekend). This isn’t only true for Venice. The research shows this pattern for 5 major European cities, including Venice, Barcelona, London and Madrid. You can save around 60% on a 3 star hotel in London 5 miles out. Be sure to bear in mind major convention centres or stadiums, booking accommodation in a popular area such as La Defense on Paris or Canary wharf will keep your hotel costs high. Staying a little further afield, doesn’t mean you’ll be staying away from the fun. Every hotel within the research is situated within a mile of a bus or metro station that will give you access to all the attractions in the heart of the city. Bus and metro tickets price will vary depending on a number of factors, such as your age, the city you’re visiting and whether you’ve chosen to visit during peak or off peak times. Weekend breaks will usually see you paying the cheaper off peak prices. Individual tickets are available as well as the option to buy a day or travel card. Depending how often you plan to travel, the travel card usually works out the most cost effective, as they grant access to the fundamental areas of the city via train, underground, bus or in Venice, the waterbus. A travel card will come at a price, but the cost is easily offset by the savings you can make on the accommodation. Take a weekend in Venice, a 48 hour travel card that gives you unlimited access to the cities boats and buses will cost €28 for an adult. Therefore by staying further out, you’ll be looking at €28 per adult for the weekend, a total of €56 for a couple travelling during your stay. When you are saving on average €73 per night (€146 for the weekend) that’s still a hefty saving of €90 for your city break. Some travelcards also come with special offers. For instance, the London travelcard, if bought from a railway station (as opposed to a DLR or underground station) gives you 2 for 1 entry for London’s major attractions like the tower of London and the London eye, saving you even more money. There is an even greater chance of cutting your accommodation costs, by opting for modern, comfortable local B&B’s. The Faronhof B&B is situated near to the centre of Venice and offers even cheaper rates than local hotels. You can get a room here at the weekends for €39 a night; compare this to the cheapest price of a hotel in the centre at €103.62 and 5 miles out at €63.44. That’s a minimum difference of €24.44 per room per night, and with the B&B including additional perks such as free internet access and bike hire, you’ll be getting extra value for your money. Our top tips for saving money on city break hotels:

• Look for accommodation 5 miles or further from the centre.
• Avoid accommodation near stadiums or business areas
• Book your accommodation close to a Metro or bus station for ease and quick access to the city’s attractions.
• Check travel cards for promotions, like 2 for 1 entry to major attractions, giving you additional savings (terms and conditions apply, please check relevant websites for more details)

Guest Post by Michael Wade of the weekend breaks team at travelsupermarket.com. Research conducted by travelsupermarket.com. Correct on 14/06/2010 Based on 2 adults, 1 double room, room only. Dates of: 16th-18th July (Friday and Saturday night) Prices per room per night, unless otherwise stated. Data compiled on 5 cities of London, Venice, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona