Published 26th January 2026
Self-catering is usually assumed to be the cheaper option, on the grounds that you can cook for yourself instead of paying a resort to feed you. That assumption holds in some destinations and falls apart in others. The honest answer to "which is cheaper?" is: it depends. And the details matter a lot more than you'd think.
Below are worked cost comparisons for families and couples across three popular destinations. The figures are typical published prices rather than quotes for any particular booking, so treat them as a starting point and check current prices for your own dates.
What does all-inclusive actually include?
Let's clear this up first, because "all-inclusive" doesn't always mean what you think. A standard package covers your room, buffet meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), local-brand drinks at hotel bars, and sometimes snacks between meals. Some resorts throw in ice creams for the kids and basic evening entertainment.
What's usually NOT included: premium spirits, speciality restaurants in the resort, room service, excursions, off-site activities and tips. Some fancier resorts do "premium all-inclusive" with top-shelf drinks and a la carte dining, but you'll pay more for it.
Scenario 1: family of four in spain (costa del sol, 7 nights)
All-Inclusive
- Hotel: 4-star all-inclusive resort, 2 adults + 2 children = approximately £3,200
- Airport transfers: £80
- Excursions / activities: £200
- Spending money (extras, ice creams, souvenirs): £150
- Total: approximately £3,630
Self-Catering
- Apartment (2-bed, pool, near beach): approximately £900
- Flights (4 people): approximately £600
- Car hire (small car, 7 days): £180
- Groceries (7 days): £250
- Eating out (5 restaurant meals): £350
- Excursions / activities: £200
- Spending money: £150
- Total: approximately £2,630
Self-catering saves approximately £1,000 for this family. However, the self-catering option requires cooking most meals, grocery shopping, and driving yourself around.
Why does self-catering win for families here? Kids eat less than adults but get charged nearly the same at all-inclusive resorts. Having a kitchen means you can make the fish fingers your fussy eater actually wants. And a two-bed apartment gives you way more space than a cramped hotel room: worth its weight in gold when you've got kids climbing the walls.
Scenario 2: couple in turkey (antalya coast, 7 nights)
All-Inclusive
- Hotel: 4-star all-inclusive, double room = approximately £1,100
- Airport transfers: £40
- Excursions: £150
- Spending money: £100
- Total: approximately £1,390
Self-Catering
- Apartment (1-bed, central): approximately £400
- Flights (2 people): approximately £280
- Groceries (7 days): £100
- Eating out (7 restaurant dinners): £280
- Eating out (5 lunches): £100
- Drinks (7 days): £120
- Excursions: £150
- Spending money: £100
- Total: approximately £1,530
All-inclusive is approximately £140 cheaper for this couple in Turkey. Turkey offers exceptional all-inclusive value, and once you factor in the cost of eating out and buying drinks independently, the all-inclusive package often wins for couples who enjoy food and drinks throughout the day.
Turkey is where all-inclusive makes the most sense. Resort standards are high, the food is generous, and the package prices are low enough that the cost of buying groceries, eating out and paying for drinks separately often adds up to more.
Scenario 3: family of four in greece (crete, 7 nights)
All-Inclusive
- Hotel: 4-star all-inclusive, family room = approximately £3,600
- Airport transfers: £60
- Excursions: £250
- Spending money: £150
- Total: approximately £4,060
Self-Catering
- Villa with pool (3-bed): approximately £1,200
- Flights (4 people): approximately £700
- Car hire (7 days): £200
- Groceries (7 days): £280
- Eating out (5 taverna meals): £400
- Excursions: £250
- Spending money: £150
- Total: approximately £3,180
Self-catering saves approximately £880, with the added advantage of a private villa with pool. Greek taverna meals are excellent value, and self-catering allows you to explore the island's restaurants and local food markets at your own pace.
When all-inclusive wins
- Couples who enjoy a drink: If you're having cocktails by the pool, beers at lunch and wine with dinner, all-inclusive often pays for itself in drinks alone.
- Turkey and Egypt: Unbeatable all-inclusive value. High-quality resorts at prices that make self-catering look pointless.
- You just want to relax: No shopping, no cooking, no "what shall we have for dinner?" debates. Everything's sorted. That's worth real money to some people.
- Teenagers: They eat constantly and drink unlimited Coke. All-inclusive was invented for families with teenagers.
- Short breaks: Three or four nights? Not worth the hassle of stocking a kitchen for such modest savings.
When self-catering wins
- Families with little kids: You save on per-child charges, you can cook food they'll actually eat (hello, fish fingers), and a two-bed apartment beats a cramped hotel room every time.
- Foodies: All-inclusive ties you to the hotel buffet. Self-catering sets you free to find that tiny taverna on the harbour that the locals love.
- Budget travellers willing to cook: Simple meals at the apartment, eat out once or twice, and self-catering wins on price almost every time.
- Longer stays: Ten days or more? The savings stack up fast.
- Western Europe: In Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal, self-catering with selective restaurant meals beats all-inclusive on price and experience.
The hybrid approach
Half-board is the obvious middle ground. Breakfast and dinner at the hotel, free to explore for lunch. It usually costs just £20 to £30 per person per day more than room-only, and you get the convenience of sorted meals without being chained to a buffet all day. Best of both worlds, honestly.
The other hybrid that works brilliantly: book a self-catering apartment, eat breakfast and lunch there (cereal, sandwiches, fruit: nothing fancy), then eat out every evening. You get the savings of self-catering during the day and the pleasure of restaurant dining at night.
Use our holiday budget planner to run the numbers for your specific trip and see which approach actually comes out cheaper.