Cost Of A Stag Do

If you’re planning a stag do for yourself or for a close mate, you’re probably wondering how much to spend on the big weekend. If it’s your first time organising, you’ll quickly discover it’s all about balance; you’ll want to make the stag do affordable so that as many guests as possible can join, but will also want to factor in a few fun activities and experiences too to make it memorable.

The first step is to chat with the group to suss out an average budget per person. From there, you’ll be able to see what you’ve got to work with. You can then decide whether it’s best to stick to the UK or head to sunnier climes abroad. 

As you already know, the cost will vary drastically based on a number of factors, including where you’re going, the type of accommodation you’re after, your preferred activities, and how many days you’re planning. There are other elements that come into play too such as dates – you may be surprised at how different off-peak and peak season travel can be! More on that later though. 

We’ve gathered a number of statistics and figures to give you a rough idea of stag do costs and how to keep on top of things. 

Who Pays For The Stag Do? 

A good question that crops up a lot is “who pays for the stag do?”. If we’re talking about the groom, it’s tradition that the cost of his spot is covered by the stag crew. The main costs of the trip (transport, accommodation and experiences) will be divided equally between the other group members, so he can enjoy his weekend for free – think of it as a pre-wedding gift! It’s up to the groom to bring his own spending money though. 

Groom aside, everyone else in the group pays for their own place. The split of the groom’s spot will simply be added on to each person’s total cost, making things simple to manage. Remember, when you book with The Stag Company, each person will be able to pay for the weekend in instalments via the Party Hub, making things a real doddle. 

How Much Does An Average Stag Do Cost?

Based on accommodation and activities alone, the average UK stag do costs £243.52 per person, while the average EU stag do costs £252.56 . If you’re catching a flight abroad, you can expect that cost to ramp up by around £200-£300 depending on your destination. 

Below lists the average cost of a stag do per destination minus flights: 

As you can see, the most expensive destination in the EU for a holiday is Munich, while the cheapest is Benidorm. If you’re looking at a staycation, the most expensive is London (who saw that coming, eh?), while the cheapest is Nottingham.

Difference in Cost of Stay Duration 

The cost of the dates you travel and the length of your stay will play a massive role in the overall cost of your stag do. 

For a one night stag do, the average cost is £169.41. For a 2 night stag weekend, the cost rises to £246.92. If you'd like to extend for a third night, the average cost per person is £298.73.

For local stag weekends that include just the activities, you’re looking at an average of £123.54 per person. Do bear in mind that this figure relies on everyone staying at home. Most of the time though, groups want to enjoy a long weekend away and turn it into a mini holiday with the lads. 

Always bear in mind that planning a stag do during school holidays and major bank holidays will really increase the costs. You’ll definitely get better value for money when you travel and stay off-peak, but we understand this won’t always be realistic for everyone. Another thing to note is that the cost of your weekend will skyrocket if there are major sporting events or celebrations taking place in your chosen destination. 

Other Costs

The costs we’ve mentioned above are based purely on activities and accommodation; however, there are a number of other costs that will be involved, with the average prices highlighted below. These are based on the last five years of data.

• Transport - £53.13
• Gift/Stripper - £25.00
• Food & Drink - £183.98
• Clothing (Fancy Dress) - £37.00
• Flights - £245.50
• Insurance - £22.00

Something we have noticed drop in popularity over time is clothing. We're not talking clothing for the wedding, we’re predominantly talking about two aspects: stag do fancy dress and stag do t-shirts for the group.

People have gradually moved away from these areas. This is due to many bars denying entry to stags rocking these tees or fancy dress.

Not only that, but it’s an added 'luxury cost', which you don't need to have a good time. Plus, if it’s likely to get the crew banned from venues or taking part in activities, it’s just not worth it. Your best bet is to give those cliched tees and costumes a miss. 

How to Save Money on Stag Do’s 

We know, we know. Money is at the forefront of everyone’s mind given just how expensive life can be. But don’t worry – you can plan an absolute banger of a weekend for your best mate, without having to compromise on any of the fun. It just takes a bit of careful planning and yes, timing really is everything! Here are our top tips to save some cash: 

Consider your dates

Try to avoid travelling during the height of summer. If this is non-negotiable, save money in other areas such as your accommodation and opt for a cheaper crash pad.

Don’t overload your itinerary

While it’s fun to have a busy itinerary for the big weekend, don’t over do it. Back-to-back activities can be tiring, and you’ll need some downtime inbetween (especially if it was a heavy one the night before). We’d recommend a mix of between 3–4 activities across the whole weekend rather than back to back experiences.

Bundle it up

Create a bundle and book your activities and accommodation together through specialists like The Stag Company. Not only do we secure better group rates, but it also unlocks our individual payment hub so the best man isn't stuck chasing everyone for cash.

Stick to 2 or 3 nights max

Choose 2 or 3 nights – anything over this increases the cost and 2–3 days of shenanigans is usually more than enough to celebrate.

Go for apartments rather than hotels

They’ll typically include a kitchenette, so you won’t have to eat out all the time. You can grab affordable food and drink from a supermarket and whip up a decent fry up or continental breakfast as soon as you wake up. Plus, with access to a fridge, you’ll be able to enjoy pre-drinks without breaking the bank.

Opt for a UK town or city

While London and Edinburgh may end up costing a small fortune, there are plenty of other great destinations on offer in the UK. Places like Blackpool, Nottingham and Leeds are affordable and don’t scrimp on the good times. Opting for a staycation prevents costs racking up.

Watch out for peak times abroad

If you want to party abroad, consider planning the weekend outside of peak times. You’ll still get the incredible nightlife, but the flights and packages will be a fraction of the cost. Consider dates in May, June and September. 

Monthly Instalments

Now comes the part about payments – but hear us out, because this is how we can make things a hell of a lot easier for you and your group. 

When you book with The Stag Company, we ensure it’s not up to the best man to chase payments from his fellow stags. Instead, each member of the stag crew is responsible for sorting their own, individual payments via the Party Hub. 

They’ll have the option to split the cost of their place across monthly, interest-free instalments, making things super easy to manage. Of course, they can also pay the whole thing upfront if they want, but that’s not necessary. 

When you’ve decided on your destination, accommodation and activities, you can secure your whole booking with an initial group deposit of just £50. From here, group management is passed over to the team at The Stag Company, who will do the hard work so the best man can sit back and chill. 

Cost of a stag do FAQs 

Is it cheaper to book everything myself? 

No, not always. When you book through the Stag Company, you’ve got access to hundreds of discounted packages, which includes activities and accommodation bundled together. Not only that, we’ll handle the payment side of things with your mates so you won’t have to play debt collector. Trust us, this really makes planning an epic stag so much easier. 

Is it cheaper to stay in the UK rather than go abroad for a stag do? 

Again, not necessarily. It all depends on when you’re looking to travel, your preferred destination, the duration of your trip and your planned itinerary. Benidorm is one of the EU’s most affordable stag do options as flights are cheap and readily available and accommodation is generally cheap and cheerful. However, if you go slap bang in the middle of August, things will be on the more expensive side of things – consider going in May, June or September for the same glorious sunshine, just less crowds for less dosh. 

What is the cheapest type of accommodation on offer? 

Hostels are generally the cheapest accommodation out there, but if you’re looking for a bit more comfort, opt for a budget hotel. Serviced apartments are one of the most popular accommodation types with stag groups, as they offer more room compared to a typical hotel room. Plus, you’ll usually have a communal living area and kitchenette, so you can save a pretty penny by enjoying a few pre-drinks and snacks at your crash pad. 

How can we keep the cost down for a stag do?

There are plenty of ways you can keep costs down for the big weekend. From grabbing night flights and choosing off-peak weekends, to ditching extra expenses like matching tees and choosing budget accommodation, there are always ways to save money! 

How much spending money should we budget for?

Sadly, we can’t provide you with a magic number, as it’s completely dependent on where you’re heading and how long for. However, we generally recommend budgeting around £50 to £100+ per person, per day once your accommodation and activities are paid for.

Before you set your budget, keep these factors in mind:

• Transport: Will you be hopping on public transport or grabbing taxis while you’re away?
• The Nightlife: Is the agenda chilled drinks at a local pub, or a heavy night out partying until late?
• Location: If you’re heading to a major capital city like London, Edinburgh, Madrid, or Barcelona, things will naturally cost more, so you’ll want to bump that daily budget up.

From here, you’ll be able to adjust your budget accordingly. 

Do we have to pay for the full weekend upfront? 

Nope! We only ask for a £1 group deposit to secure your booking. After that, everyone spreads their own payments using instalments via the party hub. This means that the best man won’t need to double up as a debt collector and chase payments. 

Are there any hidden costs we should watch out for? 

We pride ourselves on our transparent pricing, so the price you’re quoted is the price you’ll pay. Just bear in mind that there may be extra costs like tourist taxes if you’re heading to certain EU destinations (these are usually payable in cash at your hotel or accommodation). Some hotels may also require you to pay a security deposit (common with stag groups), which will be released back to you after your stay.