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It's not as cheap as a weekend road trip, but the amount you can save on a trip to the U.K. this spring compared to last year makes Britain a true bargain. Winter prices, which tend to be a lot lower than prices the rest of the year, seem to be extending into spring—great news for travelers looking to travel for less but also enjoy better weather. The two keys to savings are the sales on airfare, hotels, and packages; and the exchange rate, which has been hovering at its best for Americans in 30 years.
So what kind of deals can you expect for spring travel to the British Isles? American Airlines is running a companion ticket offer for travel to the U.K. (or the Caribbean) for AAdvantage program members who book by March 31. With the offer, you'll pay full price for the first ticket, but only the taxes and fees on the second. Lufthansa has a sale for bookings made by March 1, with spring flight offers such as $472 roundtrip between Dallas and Manchester.
Tours and packages to Britain can also offer good value this spring. Trafalgar Tours is discounting airfare on spring, summer, and fall European tours booked by February 27. And go-today.com's London at its Best package was priced at the winter rate of $549 through late March and $649 through late May for airfare from any of eight cities plus six nights' accommodations. Though the offer was set to expire just before press time, there's a very good chance it will be renewed with little alteration for at least a few more weeks.
Visitation to the U.K. is down, and hotel prices have dropped along with the demand for rooms. Add in the favorable exchange rate and you've got an equation for savings on accommodations. VisitLondon.com has a bunch of discounts at hotels around the city, for instance £99 instead of £264 for three days at the Marriott Marble Arch. The newly refurbished four-star Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street (formerly the Marlborough Hotel) has an introductory rate of £139 (about $200; see XE.com for current exchange rates) per night until April 30.
If London is cutting travelers a deal, you know you'll be able to find even better offers in other cities around England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. VisitBritain.com has a whole list of money-saving ideas including cheap eats, budget sleeps, and a London-for-less audio guide.
