All-inclusive vs DIY holiday: which is cheaper from the UK?

Last updated 29 October 2026 · by the HopCheap team

"Is all-inclusive worth it?" is one of the most common holiday questions. The honest answer is that it depends on where you go, who you're with and how you holiday. This guide gives you a simple method for working it out, and some patterns for popular destinations.

What "all-inclusive" usually covers

Most all-inclusive deals include all meals at the main buffet, snacks, local alcoholic and soft drinks, and often some entertainment. They don't always include à la carte restaurants, premium drinks, room service, spa treatments or excursions. Read the hotel's specific terms. Some "all-inclusive" deals end at a set time each night.

What "DIY" means

DIY means booking flights and accommodation separately (often self-catering or bed and breakfast), and paying for food and drink as you go. It gives more freedom, more local food and more exploring, but daily costs vary.

The simple maths

1. Price A: the all-inclusive package (or flight + all-inclusive hotel) total.
2. Price B: the DIY flight + accommodation total, for the same dates and similar quality.
3. Daily spend: estimate your realistic daily spend on food, drinks and snacks for the DIY trip, multiplied by people and nights.
4. Compare A with B + daily spend. If A is lower, or close and you value the convenience, all-inclusive wins.

Be honest about drinks. Alcohol is often the biggest factor. Light drinkers and families with young children have very different numbers from groups who enjoy several cocktails a day.

Where all-inclusive often wins

• Turkey (Antalya region): huge competition between big resort hotels. See Antalya vs Dalaman.
• Egypt (Hurghada, Sharm): resorts are often away from towns, so eating out involves taxis. See Hurghada and Sharm.
• Tunisia: low all-inclusive prices. See Tunisia.
• Families in school holidays: kids' snacks, ice creams and drinks add up fast.
• Remote resorts: where there's little nearby to eat.

Where DIY often wins

• City breaks: always DIY.
• Destinations with cheap local food: Portugal, much of Spain, Greece and Morocco. A local taverna or tasca meal is often cheaper and better than a resort buffet.
• Explorers: if you'll be out on day trips most days, you'll pay for meals you don't eat.
• Light drinkers and small eaters.
• Self-catering families: supermarket breakfasts and picnics cut costs.

The middle ground

• Half board: breakfast and dinner included, lunch out. Good for explorers.
• Bed and breakfast plus lunch menus: in Spain and Portugal, set lunches are cheap, so a big lunch and light dinner works well.
• Self-catering with a pool: great for families who like freedom.

Packages and protection

A package holiday (flights and accommodation sold together) from a UK company generally comes with protections under the Package Travel Regulations, and with ATOL financial protection where flights are included. DIY bookings have fewer protections, so consider travel insurance with good cover for airline or hotel failure. Packages are not always more expensive. In peak weeks, they're often cheaper than DIY.

Hidden costs to check

• All-inclusive: tips, premium drinks, à la carte surcharges and excursions.
• DIY: transfers, bags and seats bought separately, tourist taxes and local transport.

Our verdict

For families and beach resorts in Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia, all-inclusive usually comes out best. For couples and explorers in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta and Morocco, DIY is usually better value and more fun. Run the simple maths above for your own dates using the search buttons.

Planning for kids? Read school holiday deals.

What does a budget trip look like?

As a worked example, take a couple considering a week in Turkey. They price an all-inclusive package and a DIY version (flights plus a bed and breakfast hotel) for the same dates. They estimate their DIY lunch, dinner and drinks costs per day from recent menu prices, multiply by seven days and two people, and add taxis to restaurants. If the all-inclusive works out cheaper or similar, it wins on convenience. Now take the same couple in Lisbon. Here they'd be out exploring all day, and local lunches are cheap, so DIY wins easily. The method matters more than the destination.

Before you book: a quick checklist for your holiday

• Compare dates: check a whole month of fares, not just one date. A few days' difference can change the price a lot (see our flexible date tips).
• Count the extras: add bags, seats and airport transfers to the fare before comparing options.
• Check entry rules: read the latest FCDO advice for your destination on GOV.UK, including passport validity.
• Sort insurance early: buy travel insurance when you book, so cancellation cover starts straight away.
• Plan data and money: sort a travel eSIM and a fee-free card before you leave (see our eSIM and money guides).
• Read the partner's terms: the booking site handles your booking and payment, so check its price, baggage and cancellation terms before you pay.

Frequently asked questions

Is all-inclusive cheaper than DIY?

It depends on the destination and how much you eat and drink. It often wins in Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia, and for families.

When is DIY better value?

City breaks, destinations with cheap local food (Portugal, Spain, Greece, Morocco), and travellers who explore a lot.

Are packages protected?

Package holidays from UK companies generally have protections under the Package Travel Regulations, and ATOL protection where flights are included.

What isn't included in all-inclusive?

Often premium drinks, à la carte restaurants, spa treatments, excursions and tips. Check the hotel's terms.

We don't quote fixed prices in our guides because fares change constantly — the search buttons fetch current fares. Entry rules can change: always check GOV.UK before you travel.