Beware the holiday island trap! You could save more than £130 by staying on the mainland - here's where to go

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Many holidaymakers dream of an island escape, hoping to find secluded beaches, authentic cuisine and beautiful landscapes.

But the reality is often a more expensive break for an experience that is typically cheaper on the mainland.

New research by TravelSupermarket found that tourists are paying an 'island premium' of £134 per person for a week on average. This totals to £536 extra for a family of four.

The holiday comparison site analysed the prices of seven-night holidays for two adults over the past 30 days and compared six island destinations to mainland coastal resorts in the same country.

Almost every island getaway came out as more expensive.

Chris Webber, head of holidays and deals at TravelSupermarket, said: 'Island life tends to cost more because everything has to get there.

'It's worth checking the mainland coast before you commit, because on some of these pairings you're looking at a few hundred pounds per person for what is broadly the same week in the sun.'

Pricey Portuguese islands

The Algarve is much more affordable compared to Portugal's Atlantic islands

Portugal's Atlantic islands, which include the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores, proved to be the most costly when compared to a holiday on the mainland.

A week-long break in Madeira worked out at an average of £923 per person.

But if you opted for a trip to the Algarve you could save £344 per person, with the overall cost coming to £579 each.

Save money with Spain

Instead of Ibiza, holidaymakers can save money by heading to Costa Blanca (pictured, Alicante)

Ibiza is widely known for being a more expensive destination with parties and luxurious hotels galore.

The Balearic party island averaged a whopping £964 per person.

Holidaymakers looking to save cash could head to Costa Blanca instead which proved to be £336 cheaper at £628 per person.

For a family of four holidaying in the mainland that could mean a huge £1,342 in savings.

Home to Benidorm and boasting miles of beaches, tourists jetting off to Costa Blanca will be sure to get their fix of Spanish sunshine.

Blow cash on the Balearics

Costa Dorada, pictured, is a cheaper getaway compared to Majorca

All of the Balearic islands in the research came out as more expensive than their mainland counterparts.

Menorca averaged £659 per person but if visitors headed to Costa Brava instead, they could save £163 each, paying just £496.

Majorca costs around £686 per person and its mainland alternative, Costa Dorada, worked out £153 cheaper at £533.

The region has everything from theme parks to historical sites to explore.

Greek island shock

Halkidiki, on the Greek mainland, is much cheaper than the island of Skiathos

Like the Balearics, Greek islands also proved to be much more expensive than the mainland.

Skiathos draws in visitors with its range of beaches, cobbled streets and relaxed vibes, but it comes at a price – an average of £973 per person for a week.

But if you swap Skiathos for Halkidiki, located in northern Greece, you could save £180 and pay just £793.

For a family of four, that's an estimated £721 in savings.

Halkidiki won't disappoint either. It is home to Blue Flag beaches as well as sheltered bays, and it is even the birthplace of ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.

But you can save with Sicily

Sicily was the one island in the research to come out as cheaper compared to mainland Italy

The research identified one island that bucked the trend completely – Sicily.

The Mediterranean spot averaged £680 for a week-long trip whereas a break to the Neapolitan Riviera on the Italian mainland costs £1,054 per person.

Home to the renowned Mount Etna, Sicily has a beautiful coastline to explore and plenty of history to delve into.

'Sicily is a useful reminder not to assume, though. It came out cheaper than the Neapolitan Riviera by a long way, so the island premium isn't a rule you can apply blindly,' Mr Webber said.