The cost of a full-price visit to Alton Towers can be significant, factoring in the price of tickets, food, merchandise and (for some) accommodation. However, those who plan in advance will amost never have to pay full price to enter the park, and can save money in a variety of other ways too. Here are some essential tips to avoid leaving the park with an empty wallet.
Take advantage of special offers and discounts
Alton Towers frequently offers “2-for-1” deals in conjunction with newspapers, stores and websites. Tesco shoppers can also use Clubcard Vouchers to save up to 75% on the price of tickets. You can find all the latest offers using Theme Park Tourist’s Alton Towers deals pages, and if all else fails tickets are available at a 25% discount from the official Alton Towers website when booking in advance.
Avoid staying in the official park hotels
The Alton Towers Hotel and the Splash Landings Hotel are expensive, and the quality of the rooms often fails to justify the price. You can find a great room at a local bed and breakfast at a much lower cost, and still within 5-10 minutes drive from the park. The exception to this is when the resort offers special offers on room rates, which will be listed on our Alton Towers deals pages.
Weigh up the benefits of short break deals
If you want to stay near Alton Towers, there are often good deals to be had on short breaks. These includes tickets and hotel accommodation, with offers such as “2 days for the price of 1” frequently available.
Pick up an Annual Pass
If you’re a regular visitor to Alton Towers, buying an Annual Pass could save you money in the long-run. As a rough rule of thumb, you’ll need to visit at least 3-4 times per year for the pass to cost in (although if you’re a heavy spender on food the 20% discount it offers will add extra value).
If you’re a real theme park junkie and likely to visit Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND Windsor and/or the London Dungeon, take a close look at the Merlin Annual Pass. Again, though, if you take into account the number of 2-for-1 offers available, you’ll have to make 6-7 park visits to justify the cost of a Premium Pass. There are discounts on renewals, though, so the economics improve after you’ve held the pass for a year.
Take your own drinks and snacks
Food and drink can be quite expensive atAltonTowers, and as it is situated in a remote location you’ll have little option but to pay the asking prices. Bringing a selection of drinks and snacks (or even a packed lunch) with you can help save money, and all of the park’s major attractions offer racks or lockers where bags can be stashed while you ride.
