It may be cheaper than you think.
Holidays are increasing in price like crazy across the whole planet right now. The average holiday cost of a family of four now coming in around £4500 and nearly £300 per person in spending money in addition to that. The difference in cost between a 7 day trip to Europe and a weekend break in the UK is almost the same, and a two week trip to Florida vs. Spain is also more or less on par. So what about the so called, “dream” or “once in a lifetime” trips? Well, I am here to tell you that Japan, were by previously it was seen this way, is much more in reach than you may otherwise have thought.
I would however stress that, Japan is struggling with over tourism according to mass media, and it is taking rather drastic measures to protect itself. However, there’s more to Japan than the tourist hotspots! To keep my cost examples consistent with my last trip from my findings below is my calculations for a 14 day trip to Tokyo and Kyoto.
| 1 Person | ||
| Shinkansen | £123 | Return to Kyoto from Tokyo Average |
| Spending | ||
| Food | £300 | For main meals |
| Cash | £250 | For shrines and small vendors |
| Suica | £80 | Travel on subways, local trains and bus |
| Kombini | £50 | Snacks |
| USJ, DL, DS | £150 | £50 per park approx. |
| Travel | ||
| Flights | £1,100 | Price is based on Newcastle (NCL) via LHR including seat selections and baggage. Either JAL or BA. |
| Hotels | £700 | Based on 2 sharing (£50 per night per person average) |
| TOTAL | £2,753 |
I flew with Japan Airlines, but made sure to collect Avios points by putting in my BA frequent flier account number.
In some ways I regret this, because I think I would have got more points from the Japan Airlines Miles Bank program, and it would have also been much more simple than the complaints I had to make to BA to get my points…
The one thing that it does mean, is that I could perhaps use Avios points to get a reward flight in the future.
When are you thinking of going? Did you find this helpful as a guide? Head to my Instagram or YouTube channel to let me know!