All-Inclusive vs Self-Catering: Which Is Actually Cheaper?
Published 26th January 2026
One of the biggest decisions when booking a holiday is whether to go all-inclusive or self-catering. The perceived wisdom is that all-inclusive is more expensive but easier, while self-catering requires more effort but saves money. But is this actually true? The answer is more nuanced than you might expect, and it depends heavily on your travel style, who you are travelling with, and where you are going.
We have run the numbers for both families and couples across several popular UK holiday destinations to give you a clear, honest comparison.
What Does All-Inclusive Actually Include?
Before comparing costs, it is worth clarifying what all-inclusive means. A standard all-inclusive package typically covers your hotel room, all buffet meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), local drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) at hotel bars, and sometimes snacks between meals. Some resorts also include poolside snacks, ice cream for children, and basic entertainment.
What all-inclusive usually does not cover includes premium branded drinks, speciality restaurants within the resort, room service, excursions, off-site activities, and tips. Some higher-end resorts offer "premium all-inclusive" that includes better drinks and speciality dining, but these come at a higher price.
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.
For families, self-catering often wins financially because children eat less than adults but are charged at or near adult rates for all-inclusive. Having a kitchen also means you can prepare familiar foods for fussy eaters and save on expensive resort children's meals. The apartment often provides more space than a hotel room, which is a bonus with children.
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 one of the destinations where all-inclusive makes the strongest financial case. The country offers high-quality all-inclusive resorts at prices that are hard to match with self-catering, particularly when you factor in the Turkish hospitality style of generous buffets and unlimited drinks.
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 drink a lot: If you enjoy multiple cocktails, beers, and wine with meals, all-inclusive often saves money on drinks alone.
- Turkey and Egypt: These destinations offer exceptional all-inclusive value with high-quality resorts at lower prices than Western Europe.
- Convenience is your priority: No shopping, no cooking, no budgeting for each meal. Everything is covered, which is genuinely relaxing.
- Large families with teenagers: Teenagers can eat and drink (soft drinks) freely without you worrying about the bill adding up.
- Short breaks: On a 3 to 4 night break, the hassle of stocking a kitchen is not worth the modest saving.
When Self-Catering Wins
- Families with young children: You save on children's all-inclusive charges, can prepare meals your children will actually eat, and benefit from the extra space.
- Foodies who want to explore local restaurants: All-inclusive ties you to the hotel buffet. Self-catering gives you freedom to discover amazing local food.
- Budget-conscious travellers: If you are happy to cook simple meals and eat out selectively, self-catering is almost always cheaper.
- Longer stays: For stays of 10 days or more, the savings from self-catering accumulate significantly.
- Western European destinations: In Spain, Greece, Italy, and Portugal, self-catering with occasional restaurant meals typically beats all-inclusive on price.
The Hybrid Approach
Many savvy travellers opt for a middle ground: half-board. This includes breakfast and dinner at your hotel, leaving you free to explore for lunch. Half-board often costs only £20 to £30 per person per day more than room-only, and it saves both money and time compared to full all-inclusive. You get the convenience of not having to plan every meal while retaining the flexibility to try local restaurants for lunch.
Another hybrid option is to book a self-catering apartment but eat breakfast and lunch at the apartment (simple meals like sandwiches, fruit, and cereal) and eat out every evening. This combines the savings of self-catering with the pleasure of restaurant dining.
Use our holiday budget planner to calculate the total cost of either approach for your specific trip and see which works out cheaper for your situation.