- Average daily rate for Airbnbs in Europe increased by 15.7% in just one year
- But Moldova is just £40 a night, North Macedonia is £41 and Kosovo is £42.
Brits hoping for a discount holiday abroad in Europe should head to the Balkans for a staycation Airbnb costing on average just £40 a night, according to research revealed today.
Trendy destination Moldova, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Albania have been named the cheapest countries in Europe for vacation rentals in a new study.
Search by AirADNwhich monitors prices for Vrbo and Airbnb, revealed that the average daily rate in Europe has increased by more than 15 percent in just one year.
But there are still some good deals to be found, with Moldova being the cheapest at £40 a night, then North Macedonia at £41, Kosovo at £42, Albania at £52 and Serbia at £54.
AirDNA said that although Moldova is a less traveled country, it can be an “attractive destination for those looking for cheap food, staycations and exceptional wine.”
Other countries with relatively cheap average nightly costs include Bulgaria at £63, Belarus at £67, Bosnia and Herzegovina at £68, Romania at £70 and Latvia at £71.
However, at the other end of the scale the most expensive are Monaco at £291 per night, Iceland at £199, Switzerland at £179, UK at £176 and Greece at £175.
The researchers pointed out that even for those wanting to visit the most expensive countries, it is often possible to find good deals outside of peak season.
Average rates in Europe tend to be highest in mid-August and lowest in early February, they said.
An exception to this is Andorra, where the December ski season pushes average rates up 81 percent compared to the lowest month of November.
Another example is Monaco, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix means that rates in May are 79 percent higher than in February.
The study also looked at cheaper cities within the most expensive countries, highlighting the most cost-effective options for Birmingham in the UK at £118 per night, in Arnhem at The Netherlands at £120, Luxembourg City at £133, West Mayo in Ireland at £145 and Reykjavík in Iceland at £209.
The company said the return of international travel, economic recovery, improved consumer confidence and the absence of pandemic restrictions had made 2023 “the year of travel in Europe”.
Demand has increased by 19 percent over the past year, although this has also pushed average daily rates to a new high after a 15.7 percent year-on-year increase.
Average daily rates for short-term rental stays in European countries over the past year ranged from less than £40 per night to more than £250 per night.
AirDNA, which has offices in Spain and the United States said it had carried out calculations to confirm the considerable impact of the time of year on prices.
It looked at the percentage change between the minimum and maximum average daily rate throughout the year.
Last year, European travelers paid £139 per night during the second week of August, making it the most expensive week for short-term rental stays.
But those who traveled to Europe in the first week of February – the cheapest week for short-term rental stays last year – paid 36% less, or £102 per night.
Differences in average daily rate from one season to the next vary considerably depending on the European zone.
For example, in a highly seasonal market like Andorra, Albania and Monaco, tourists can expect to pay significantly more during peak season months than during off-season months.
In Albania, summer sunshine meant travelers paid 81 percent more in August than the February minimum.
The researchers concluded: “If budget is a factor but you want to travel to these or other highly seasonal countries, traveling during the off-season months will likely get you the best deals. journey. »
However, they also pointed out that those traveling to a country with low seasonality will see similar rates regardless of the time of year.
Countries with low seasonality are generally those where climate is not as important a factor as in ski or beach destinations.
European leaders in this regard are France, Slovakia, Slovenia and Germany, where average daily rates for the cheapest off-season months of 2022 were only around 20% lower than those for the months of high season the most expensive.
MailOnline looked at availability on Airbnb for the low season in most parts of Europe in November, looking for seven nights from November 4 for two adults.
In Moldova, you can stay in a colorful ‘superhost’-rated one-bedroom apartment for up to four people for just £200 for a week in the capital Chisinau.
Those visiting North Macedonia could opt for a one-bedroom apartment in the seaside resort of Kaneo with sea views, for just £244 for the week.
Tourists heading to Kosovo can get a two-bedroom chalet in the countryside near the capital Prishtina for £237 a week.
Those in Albania, as MailOnline reported last month, is fast becoming a popular tourist destination.can get a one-bedroom apartment in Himara for £138 per week, with 83 reviews averaging 4.67 stars.
And visitors to Serbia could stay in a one-bedroom studio in the heart of Belgrade, which has 120 reviews with a five-star average, for £310 for the week.