The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Stag Do on a Budget

We all know that times are tight. But having a tighter budget doesn't mean you have to settle for a substandard stag do. It just means you need to be smarter about where you go and what you do.

Whether you are looking for one pound pints in Eastern Europe or a cost-effective weekend right here in the UK, we have crunched the numbers to bring you the ultimate guide to the best budget stag do. We’ve broken it down into destinations (both European and UK), activities, and (probably the most important of all) beer prices.

Part 1: The Stag Do Beer Index

Let's be honest, one of the biggest costs on any stag weekend is the liquid refreshment, and this is a factor that is all too often overlooked when planning a budget stag do. Choosing a destination with cheap beer can save you hundreds of pounds over the course of a weekend – so taking it into consideration just makes sense. Obviously beer prices in the UK don’t vary that much from destination to destination, but in Europe it can really make a difference.

So here you are - based on our exhaustive research across European Stag do destinations, here are the options for you, broken down into convenient categories. ( all prices are average estimates for a local beer and were correct at the time of writing):

The "Bargain Bucket" (Under £2.00)

Sofia, Bulgaria: The undisputed champion of cheap beer European Stag do destinations - You can find beers for around £1.30 in bars.
Budapest, Hungary: A pint of "amber nectar" can cost as little as £1.50.
Prague, Czech Republic: Prague is considered a classic stag do destination for a reason. Expect to pay around £1.60 for some of the best lager in the world.
Bratislava, Slovakia: You won’t blow your budget here, with beers coming in at approximately £1.70 per beer.
Krakow, Poland: Slightly different to the other destinations, as Vodka is the speciality (which is also cheap), but beer hovers around the £1.80 mark, so whatever you are drinking, you’ll have no problem whatsoever.

The "Middle Ground" (£2.00 - £3.50)

Benidorm & other Spanish Resorts: We’ve lumped all of these together as whether you are looking at Benidorm, Barcelona, or any of the other Spanish destinations we offer, the beer prices tend to be pretty similar. All in all, a Spanish stag do destination offers great value, with beers usually costing somewhere between £2.00 and £2.50.
Riga, Latvia: One of the most popular stag do destinations, partly because it’s a quality destination but also because a beer will only cost you around £3.00.
Berlin, Hamburg and other German destinations: While these may not be at the cheaper end, you definitely pay for quality here, as the beer is so pure and so tasty that you’ll never drink anything quite as good again. Expect to pay around £3.40 for a premium stein, and trust me, you’ll love every moment of it.

The "Premium" Choice (£4.50+)

Amsterdam: Let’s be honest, you aren’t going to Amsterdam for cheap beer, you are probably going for the atmosphere and activities that it has to offer – but don’t worry, the drinking won’t blow your budget, just expect it to be similar to the UK’s prices, with £5.00 a pint being a good price.
Dublin: Again, prices here are similar to the UK for a pint (which is not overly surprising), though if you are a Guinness drinker, you may well find that the jump in quality is absolutely worth the visit even if you are paying £5.00 or more for a pint!

Part 2: The Best Cheap Stag Do Destinations Abroad

When planning a budget stag do, people often immediately rule out going abroad – however, if you are willing to hop on a flight (which are often surprisingly cheap), then Eastern Europe and Southern Spain offer incredible value for money. Here are our top selections for your budget European stag do:

1. Benidorm (Spain)

Best For: Sun, Sea, and huge nights out.
Benidorm knows exactly what it is and what it isn’t. It isn't a place for a quiet cultural trip; it's a place to slam down Sangrias and party until sunrise. Accommodation is plentiful and cheap, and a package including guided bar crawls and club entry can cost less than you think.

2. Prague (Czech Republic)

Best For: A traditional stag experience
Prague combines cheap accommodation and legendary nightlife, while also being one of the easiest European destinations to fly to. It is one of the few capitals where you can stay in the city centre without breaking the bank, which is perfect, because it means you have everything at your fingertips!

3. Krakow (Poland)

Best For: Vodka tasting and shooting ranges.
Poland’s prices for food and drink are famously low, which leaves you with extra cash to spend on activities. It is the perfect place to try a Vodka Tasting session or fire AK-47s at a shooting range, and the nightlife is something else altogether.

4. Albufeira (Portugal)

Best For: Stags who like the sun!
If you want guaranteed sun without the heavy price tag of Ibiza, Albufeira is the answer. The strip is legendary for nightlife, and a beer on the beach is surprisingly affordable!

Part 3: The Best Cheap UK Stag Destinations

Staying in the UK saves you the hassle of airports and the cost of flights, which can be invaluable – especially if you have people travelling from multiple locations! So if you want a budget UK stag do, here are the cities where your pound stretches further.

1. Blackpool

Best For: Classic stag fun at the seaside
Blackpool is built for fun, and is well known to be the grandaddy of great value stag weekends. It has an abundance of budget hotels and B&Bs, and the cost of a night out is significantly cheaper than London or the South East. From the Pleasure Beach to the piers, you can easily fill a weekend and find yourselves doing a lot for very little cost.

2. Newcastle

Best For: Partying until you can’t take it any more!
Newcastle is famous for its friendly atmosphere and high-energy nightlife. Because the city is compact, you save money on taxis, and the competition between bars means there are always drinks offers to be found.

3. Bournemouth

Best For: Variety and excitement
You might think the South Coast is expensive, but Bournemouth is a university town. This means plenty of budget-friendly bars and burger joints catering to students. If you visit outside of August, you can grab a bargain by the beach, and with countless activities available as well, you can fulfil any interest!

4. Manchester & Liverpool

Best For: Value and Activities
We couldn’t separate the northern powerhouses, so we’ve bundled them together! Both cities offer incredible value. Liverpool is packed with culture, while Manchester has an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. They both have a massive range of activities right in the city centre, and are easy to navigate on foot, saving you unexpected transport costs!

Part 4: 5 Great Value Stag Do Activities

Activities don't have to cost the earth. Here are five options that give you maximum entertainment for a low price per person.

1. Bubble Football (Zorb Football)

Why it's great value: It’s high energy, hilarious, and usually costs between £20-£30pp. It’s the perfect ice-breaker to start the weekend, no matter how good (or bad) you may be at football!

2. Paintball

Why it's great value: As an activity that takes up a whole afternoon or more, Paintball is always great value. For the price of entry and equipment, you get hours of adrenaline-fuelled fun running around the woods.

3. Organised Bar Crawls

Why it's great value: You might think you can do it yourself, but an organised crawl often includes free shots, discounted drinks, and free club entry. It saves you queuing and paying cover charges, and also ensures you end up at friendly bars and pubs – which is essential!

4. Brewery Tours

Why it's great value: You learn something, you see something cool, and most importantly, you get to drink the product! It's often cheaper than buying the same amount of beer in a pub.

5. Bingo Lingo

Why it's great value: This isn't your Nan's bingo. It’s a party with prizes, raves, and dance-offs. It serves as your evening entertainment and your pre-drinks all in one venue.

Ready to Plan Your Budget Weekend?

If this article feels a little overwhelming, please don’t panic! You don't have to navigate the prices alone, we know exactly which hotels offer the best rates and which activities offer the best bang for your buck.

If you want to build a legendary weekend that keeps both the lads and the bank manager happy then get in touch with our team straightaway. We can provide you with a no-obligation quote tailored to your budget. Alternatively, if you want to do a little more research first, check out our our fantastic selection of accommodation, activities, nightlife and packages and then give us a call when you are ready. Your experience starts here