Ever stared at holiday deals and thought, “Is going all-inclusive actually cheaper, or is it just a sales trick?” You’re not alone. So many of us go back and forth, especially when comparing package prices with booking everything separately. It's not always an apples-to-apples thing—there's a lot going on behind those flashy hotel ads.

The truth? All-inclusive can be a money-saver…but it really depends on your travel style and what’s actually covered. Meals, drinks, sometimes even activities and airport transfers can all be bundled in—but watch out for the stuff that’s not. You might see “all-inclusive” and think you’ll never spend another dime, but little surprises like premium drinks or fancy dinners can sneak up fast if you’re not paying attention.

The best part of going all-in, for a lot of people, is not having to think about every euro or dollar once they arrive. If you just want to switch off and enjoy poolside cocktails, buffet breakfasts, and daily shows, it makes budgeting ridiculously easy. Still, not everyone wants three meals a day at the resort or unlimited sugary drinks, so these upfront savings can disappear if you’re more the “explore every day” type.

• What Is Included—And What’s Not
• Head-to-Head: All-Inclusive vs. Pay-As-You-Go
• Unexpected Costs You Might Miss
• Real-Life Examples: When It Pays Off (And When It Doesn't)
• Tips to Maximize Your Savings
• When All-Inclusive Isn’t Worth It

What Is Included—And What’s Not

If you look up any all inclusive holidays deal, you’ll see big promises: food, drinks, entertainment, and maybe a spa treatment or two. But what does that actually mean? And what will you still need to pay for out of pocket?

Here’s what usually comes standard in the all-inclusive price:

• Three meals a day at the main buffet or selected restaurants
• Unlimited soft drinks, water, and local alcohol (think beer, wine, simple cocktails)
• Pool access, sun loungers, towels
• Some basic sports like tennis or beach volleyball
• Entry to on-site shows and low-key entertainment
• Kids’ clubs and activity programs

Resorts love to show off their lists of free stuff, but there are usually limits or exceptions. Here’s what’s often not included, unless you upgrade:

• Premium drinks, branded or top-shelf alcohol
• Specialty restaurants (like steak or sushi spots)
• A la carte room service
• Spa treatments and massages
• Excursions and off-site trips
• Motorized water sports (jet-skis, speedboat rides)
• Airport transfers (sometimes covered, but check the fine print)
• Late check-out fees or upgraded room types

When you’re comparing deals, watch the wording. “All-inclusive” at one resort can be totally different from another, especially in places like the Caribbean vs. Spain or Greece. Some even use “ultra all-inclusive,” which usually means more drinks or an extra meal spot, but it’s never truly unlimited.

To give you a sense of what’s covered, here’s a snapshot from actual resort offerings in 2024:

Always scan those resort details and review sites to clear up what you’re really getting. If there’s a certain type of meal or activity you want, ask about exclusions before booking so you’re not caught off guard.

Head-to-Head: All-Inclusive vs. Pay-As-You-Go

When you stack up all inclusive holidays against pay-as-you-go trips, the differences go way beyond just the price tag. It’s about what you get for your cash and how much control you want over your trip.

With all-inclusive, the appeal is obvious: pay once, forget about your wallet, and enjoy. You’ll get unlimited food, drinks (sometimes even cocktails and branded stuff), and usually some extras—think pool access, entertainment, and non-motorized water sports. On a pay-as-you-go trip, you hand-pick everything: meals, sightseeing, drinks, and souvenirs. This means more choices, but also more surprises when the bill comes.

Check out that table: the all-inclusive deal is £380 cheaper for a typical week, based on average 2024 UK package prices and real restaurant receipts. Of course, if you usually skip breakfast, or drink only water, your numbers shrink. If you love to eat out at trendy places or go for insta-worthy cocktails every night, you’ll probably save.

One well-respected travel site summed it up perfectly:

For travelers who plan to spend most of their time in the resort—and want predictable costs—an all-inclusive can be a great value, often saving hundreds over a week compared to pay-as-you-go, especially in tourist hotspots where meal and drink prices are steep. — Lonely Planet, 2023

Here’s what matters most when you’re weighing up your options:

• How much will you actually use the all-inclusive stuff (meals, drinks, entertainment)?
• Are you prone to extra charges—like excursions, spa treatments, or eating off-site?
• Is eating local or exploring a big part of your trip?
• What’s actually bundled in the package and what’s "extra"?

The takeaway: you can save with all-inclusive if you plan to hang out at the resort and make the most of what’s offered. But if you’ll be out and about, crunch the numbers to see if you’re really getting a deal.

Unexpected Costs You Might Miss

When you book an all inclusive holidays package, it feels like everything should be paid for, right? Not always. There’s stuff the glossy brochures usually gloss over, and it can sting if you don’t spot it early.

Here's where people get tripped up:

• Premium drinks and à la carte dining: Sure, basic cocktails and wine are on the house, but most resorts charge extra for top-shelf stuff or fancy restaurants. Sometimes, even the "special dinner nights" mean hidden surcharges on your room bill.
• Resort fees and service charges: Some hotels tack on daily resort fees, or a “service charge” (often 5-10%). That’s not always shown in the upfront price when you book.
• Excursions and off-site activities: Jet ski adventure? Snorkeling trip? Spa treatments? Forget those being free—excursions are almost never included, and prices can be way higher booking with the resort than booking in town.
• Airport transfers: Just because the resort runs a shuttle doesn’t mean it’s part of the deal. Always double-check if airport transport is included, or you might face a surprise bill when you land.
• Kids’ clubs and babysitting: Daytime kids’ clubs might be included, but evening babysitting or special sessions almost always cost extra. If you plan downtime, ask ahead.

Check out this quick comparison table showing average extra costs you might face at a mid-range Caribbean resort:

Tips to not get caught out? Scrutinize the "what's included" page before you book. Don’t be shy to email the property for a full list of what’s extra. And be wary of “resort credit”—it often sounds great, but is just a discount on overpriced extras.

Real-Life Examples: When It Pays Off (And When It Doesn't)

So, does booking all inclusive holidays always mean you’ll save money? Not really. Let’s look at two real scenarios, using actual numbers from 2024 resort rates in Spain and Mexico—the classic all-inclusive hotspots.

Example 1: Family Trip to Spain

The Smiths, a family of four, booked a 7-night all-inclusive stay in Costa del Sol. The package deal cost €2,800 total and came with three meals a day, unlimited soft drinks, a few alcoholic options, and entertainment for the kids.

When stacking that up against DIY booking, their research showed:

• Hotel only (same location, non-inclusive): €1,500
• Average food costs (restaurants + snacks): €1,100
• Drinks and ice cream for the kids: €230
• Evening entertainment (for four nights): €180

Total doing it all separately: €3,010. They saved €210 by taking the package—and avoided big surprises with the food bill.

Example 2: Couples’ Break in Mexico

Jess and Tom wanted a romantic week at Playa del Carmen. The all-inclusive package was $3,300 USD for two, including meals, local drinks, kayaks, and one off-site excursion. They don’t drink much, and love exploring local taquerias and beach bars.

Here’s how their costs broke down without the all-inclusive deal:

• Hotel only: $1,500
• Meals out (they ate out almost every meal): $650
• Drinks (mostly water, two cocktails each): $120
• Local tours and taxis: $200

Total: $2,470. If they’d gone all-inclusive, they’d have overpaid by $830. For them, booking everything separately made more sense—and let them try way better tacos.

The trick is to add up what you’d actually do on holiday. Heavy eaters, big families, and anyone who likes a lazy week at the resort usually get more value from a package. But foodies, nightlife chasers, and explorers—watch out. All-inclusive can turn into an expensive way to miss everything outside the resort.

Tips to Maximize Your Savings

So, you've got your eye on an all inclusive holidays package and want to squeeze every bit of value? The details make all the difference. Here’s how to really get your money’s worth:

• Book Smart—Timing is Everything: Prices change a lot depending on school holidays, public breaks, and even the day of the week you book. Shoulder seasons—those in-between busy periods—usually mean lower prices and fewer crowds. Google Flights and Skyscanner often show if your week is super popular or one of those “hidden gem” times.
• Understand the ‘All-Inclusive’ Fine Print: Not every resort means the same thing by “all-inclusive.” Some include top-shelf booze and à la carte restaurants, others only have house drinks and the main buffet. Always check if non-motorized water sports, airport shuttles, or tips are included. It's shocking how fast extras can add up.
• Look for Resort Credits or Freebies: A bunch of hotels throw in spa credits, excursions, or resort activities if you book direct or during promos. These extras can sometimes cover what you’d spend off-resort.
• Don’t Overpay for What You Won’t Use: Family resorts sound great but if you hate group water aerobics or don’t plan to use the kids’ club, consider a ‘Lite’ or adults-only version instead. You won’t pay for stuff you’ll never touch.
• Eat Like a Local—Off and On Property: If you decide to go off the resort for a few meals, don’t feel guilty. But make sure the price difference—factoring in taxis and restaurant tabs—makes sense, or you might eat into (literally) your savings fast.
• Leverage Loyalty Programs: Many big travel companies run perks for repeat guests like free upgrades, dinner reservations, or “nights free” deals. Even booking portals like Expedia toss in loyalty rewards after just a few stays.

Bottom line: take ten minutes to read the package terms and crunch the real costs of the stuff you want to do. People who come home with the fattest wallets are always the ones who understood what was (and wasn’t) on the table.

When All-Inclusive Isn’t Worth It

So, when does a splurge on an all-inclusive package flop? Easy: when it doesn’t fit the way you actually travel. If you hate staying in the same spot, love hunting for hole-in-the-wall restaurants, or dream about exploring local street food, those endless buffets just end up wasted. Paying daily for food and drinks you won’t use never feels great, and honestly, you’re basically handing cash to the hotel for nothing.

Families or couples with picky eaters can also lose out. While there’s tons of food, it’s not always what you’re craving. And if you want much beyond the standard included meals, most resorts charge extra for the good stuff—think lobster dinners, specialty cocktails, or off-site activities. Suddenly, you’re racking up more costs anyway.

Another big money drain: wanting to experience more than the resort. Let’s say you’re off exploring a new city every day—excursions, museums, and city tours aren’t part of most standard all-inclusive deals. That’s paying twice: once for the included package and again for everything else. A 2024 UK survey found that 34% of travellers on all-inclusive holidays still spent at least £300 extra per week on outside food, drinks, and activities.

Check out how the numbers can break down in real life:

As you can see, if you’re exploring a lot or not interested in unlimited resort perks, a DIY approach often comes out far cheaper. Here’s when skipping all-inclusive is usually the smart call:

• You like trying lots of local food and drink outside the resort
• Your trip is packed with day tours, city visits, or excursions
• You’re traveling somewhere with cheap food and tons of variety (like Thailand or Mexico off the tourist trail)
• You have food restrictions or allergies, and want control over what you eat

Bottom line? The all inclusive holidays route only saves money if you really plan to stick around the hotel and use all those included extras. If not, your wallet’s better off building a trip your way.