Hotel prices in many UK cities have gone up this autumn compared with the summer. Expedia’s autumn data, reported in August 2026, shows Birmingham up about 30% and Liverpool up about 20%. Prices in other places may be lower, but the figures I could confirm do not show that clearly. The best way to save is to compare total prices for your own dates, not to rely on a headline trend. As of October 2026, here is what the figures do and do not tell you, and how to find a fair rate.
What the figures say
The most consistent figures come from Expedia, which compared hotel prices in the autumn with those in the summer. Here is what the reports show.
| Place | Reported change, autumn vs summer | How well it is confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | About 30% higher | Reported by Euronews and a second trade report |
| Liverpool | About 20% higher | Reported by Euronews and a second trade report |
| Cambridge | About 15% higher | One trade report only |
| Manchester | About 10% higher | One trade report only |
Expedia’s figures describe an average across hotels in each city. They do not tell you what your own room will cost, and the reports I found do not explain the exact dates or the method behind the price comparison.
Are seaside hotels cheaper?
One trade report says coastal hotspots saw the steepest post-summer fall, at about 20%, and names places such as Newquay, St Ives, Brighton and the Isle of Wight. I could not confirm that figure for UK coastal areas. The Expedia coverage I found gives coastal examples outside the UK, so treat it as unconfirmed.
That means you should check seaside prices for your own dates instead of assuming a discount. A quick comparison of two or three towns usually tells you more than any headline figure.
How to find a fair rate
These steps work whatever the trend turns out to be.
- Compare the total price. Mandatory charges should be included in the price you see at the start of a booking. The Competition and Markets Authority’s price transparency guidance under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act says tourist taxes belong in the headline price. If a charge appears only at checkout, ask about it before you pay.
- Add any visitor levy. Edinburgh charges 5% on paid overnight stays, for up to five consecutive nights. Check whether the price you see already includes it. Bookings made before 1 October 2025 are not charged, according to the council.
- Try a few dates. Move your check-in by a day or two and compare. Do not assume a midweek stay is cheapest. One pub group reported that Monday to Wednesday are its busiest nights.
- Look beyond the city centre. A town or village a short train or bus ride away is often cheaper than a central hotel. Check travel time against the saving.
- Check the cancellation terms. A slightly higher flexible rate can be worth it if your plans may change. Compare the cost of a refund against the saving.
- Book early for busy places. Pubs with rooms and small inns are popular. Operators reported occupancy of roughly 76% to over 80% this summer, so good dates fill up.
Pubs with rooms and country inns
Pubs with rooms are a growing part of the market. Trade reports from August 2026 describe operators with high occupancy and rising demand for characterful places to stay. One group reported an average room rate of £145 and an occupancy rate of 75.9%. Another said its rooms and food together lift business on quieter days.
These are operator figures, not independent surveys, so use them as a rough guide. They also suggest that a good weekend will be busy. Ask the venue about breakfast, parking and dogs before you book, because those extras can change the total.
What I could not verify
I did not find verified figures for Christmas hotel prices, so this article does not give them. The same applies to specific discounts for midweek or off-peak stays. If you are planning a festive break, compare prices directly with the hotels you are considering.
Key points
- Expedia data reported in August 2026 shows UK city hotel prices rising in autumn, with Birmingham and Liverpool the clearest examples.
- Those figures are averages. They do not set your price.
- The coastal fall reported by one trade source is not confirmed for UK coastal areas.
- Compare total prices, including any visitor levy, for your own dates.
- Book early for pubs with rooms and inns, which report occupancy of roughly 76% or more.
FAQ
Are hotels more expensive in autumn than in summer? In some UK cities they are. Expedia data reported in August 2026 shows Birmingham about 30% higher and Liverpool about 20% higher in autumn compared with summer. The effect varies by place and date.
Which UK cities have the biggest autumn price rises? The clearest reported examples are Birmingham and Liverpool. Cambridge and Manchester were also reported as rising, but in only one trade source I could find.
Is the tourist tax included in my hotel price? It should be. Mandatory charges such as tourist taxes should appear in the headline price. Edinburgh’s levy is 5% on paid overnight stays for up to five consecutive nights.
Is midweek always cheaper for a hotel stay? No. Some operators report that Monday to Wednesday are their busiest nights, so compare prices for the dates you want rather than assuming a discount.
Should I book a flexible rate? It depends on how certain your plans are. A flexible rate costs more, but it lets you change without losing the money. Compare the difference with the cost of a refund.
If you want to compare places to stay across the UK, our directory lists about 20,700 hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, organised by region and council area. Always confirm the final price with the provider before you pay.