Static Caravans Vs the traditional 2 week holiday abroad: Which is better?
With the cost of living crisis upon us, many families are choosing between keeping their caravans or having an annual holiday abroad. It suddenly seems very extravagant to be paying for a caravan and forking out for a trip overseas!
But which is better? Do you prefer to have multiple trips to your caravan each year or would you choose a fortnight in the sun?
Research shows that multiple holidays sprinkled throughout the year make us happier than one long holiday, but is the lure of sun-soaked Caribbean beaches more tempting than all of those caravan breaks?
Let’s look at whether it’s better to own a caravan or have one big holiday a year.
The cost of a caravan vs a 2-week holiday
I recently priced up the cost for my family of five to go to Greece for two weeks and I was shocked by how much it is! Family holidays have really shot up in price.
My annual caravan fees plus utility bills come to a similar amount as a two week holiday during the summer holidays!
Admittedly, the overall cost of buying a caravan is higher, but when you think about the cost per use it’s a bargain in comparison. For me, the caravan holiday definitely wins when it comes to cost.
Lots of short trips vs one big trip
The main bonus to owning a caravan is that you can go multiple times a year, with some people almost living in their caravan through the summer.
I visit my caravan twice a month, so I average 16 mini holidays throughout my caravan season, plus a longer stint during the summer holidays.
I’m a firm believer that the anticipation of a holiday is all part of the fun and I love having 16 opportunities to excitedly anticipate a weekend at the caravan!
And let’s be honest, the first day of any holiday is always the best. Whether you’re spending two weeks in Cancun or two days in Cumbria, that first day is always incredible and having the opportunity to have lots of ‘first days’ is a privilege I don’t ever want to take for granted.
Unpredictable British weather vs guaranteed sunshine
OK, here’s one where the caravan holiday doesn’t win. Our unpredictable British weather has been known to ruin many families’ caravan holidays!
When the sun shines, Great Britain is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but with over 170 days of rain each year you can almost guarantee a shower or two!
The lure of sunny beaches where high temperatures and blue skies are pretty much guaranteed is a tempting offer…
The community vs meeting new people
One of my favourite things about a caravan park is the community feel.
My fellow caravan owners feel like neighbours. It’s wonderful to see our children growing up together (while we grow old together!) Our regular BBQs and evening drinks mean there’s a close community and everyone is welcome.
I do enjoy meeting new people when I go away on holiday but, for me, the caravan community wins.
Feel at home vs the excitement of somewhere new
The excitement of exploring a new destination is undeniably addictive. I love the research, planning and new discoveries involved in holidays to new places.
But there is something to be said for visiting your caravan and feeling instantly relaxed. A caravan becomes a second home where your slippers are waiting by the fire and your favourite drink is chilling in the fridge. You know all the best local restaurants, the most beautiful beaches and exactly where to go for a morning walk. You don’t waste two days figuring out where to go and have the stressful panic of arriving and not knowing what to do.
For me, feeling at home and the relaxation of a caravan beats going somewhere new.
Driving vs flying
The majority of us will drive to our caravans and fly if we go abroad. The cost of flights has risen significantly over recent years, and let’s not forget about the carbon impact of flights. For many people, flights can be stressful and uncomfortable so I think driving wins every time!
Driving also gives us the advantage of taking more things and not squishing everything into a tiny suitcase. Take your bike and your surfboard, your hiking boots and all your books without worrying if your suitcase is overweight. Heck, I even take my bread maker and the kid’s Xbox when I go to the caravan!
Bring your pets vs put them into kennels
One of the major benefits to having a caravan is that our four-legged friends can come along with us. Kennels and catteries can be expensive and stressful for our pets and it’s not always possible to rely on friends and family to look after them.
For many of us, a holiday isn’t a holiday without our pets by our sides! Pets are part of the family and leaving them behind just doesn’t feel right.
Potential to earn money from your caravan
If your caravan park allows rentals then there’s the potential to earn a pretty penny! Whether you choose to rent your caravan out as a source of income or simply to cover your annual fees, it can be a great little earner!
That two-week holiday to a hot and sunny beach destination is a luxury many of us are sacrificing in favour of more trips to our caravans, and it’s not hard to see why.
I definitely prefer the luxury of multiple short holidays to the caravan through the season. The relaxation you feel at your caravan is unbeatable, particularly compared to the stress of travelling abroad and taking a few days to settle into a new destination.
The main draw to travelling abroad is for the weather, but I love being able to spontaneously pack up my car when the sun is shining in the UK and head to my caravan for an unplanned break.
They say there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing, so pack your raincoat and enjoy your caravan!
