Easter demand rises across Europe as travellers seek lower-cost destinations, PriceLabs data shows

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Europe: Short-term rental demand for the Easter period is increasing across Europe, with travellers shifting towards more affordable destinations, according to new data from PriceLabs.

The data shows booked nights have risen in 18 of the 22 destinations analysed compared with the same period last year, with the strongest growth recorded in Eastern and Southern Europe.

Krakow and Athens both saw a 51 per cent increase in demand, followed by Budapest at 50 per cent. Málaga and Dublin also recorded strong growth, with booked nights up 43 per cent in both cities.

Despite rising demand, some destinations saw declines, including Brittany (-26 per cent), Bordeaux (-6 per cent) and Paris (-6 per cent). PriceLabs said later school holidays in parts of France may be affecting domestic travel patterns.

Average daily rates increased across all markets analysed, with the strongest growth in Prague (+27 per cent), Paris (+24 per cent) and Budapest (+21 per cent).

Capital cities remain the most expensive destinations for the Easter weekend. Nightly rates in London average €428, followed by Paris at €386, Rome at €352 and Amsterdam at €282.

Lower-cost destinations are concentrated further east, with Krakow (€98) and Budapest (€100) among the most affordable options. Athens (€115), Brittany (€107) and Nice (€134) also offer comparatively lower rates.

Richie Khandelwal, founder of Pricelabs said travellers are expanding their search beyond traditional capital cities in response to rising prices.

The data suggests demand remains strong for peak travel periods, with pricing and destination choice playing a growing role in booking behaviour.

Highlights:

• Easter travel demand has increased across 18 of 22 European destinations analysed by PriceLabs.
• Krakow, Athens and Budapest recorded the strongest growth in booked nights.
• Average daily rates have risen across all markets, with the largest increases in Prague and Paris.
• London remains the most expensive Easter destination at €428 per night.
• Eastern European cities offer some of the lowest average rates, including Krakow and Budapest.