England will return to Mexico’s Azteca Stadium on Monday for the first time since their infamous loss against Argentina back in 1986. Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal made headlines and England were knocked out of the World Cup. But as the Three Lions prepare to play at the stadium again, we take a look back at what travel looked like 40 years ago. Brits were increasingly heading abroad for their trip, and with the World Wide Web not yet invented, they were using high street travel agents to book them. We take a look back at the holiday scene in 1986… Package holidays were booming in the 1980s, and many Brits headed abroad for their holidays Pictured: Holidaymakers in Spain, a popular destination for Brits in the 1980s Package holidays Forget simple trips along the British coast, package holidays were very popular in the 1980s. A fortnight in the sun was the dream for many Brits and the decade became the golden era for affordable package holidays. Which? reported that a package holiday to Costa Blanca, Spain, for a week would set British tourists back just £160, around £456 in today’s money.Reflecting the low prices, accommodation could be basic, and in some cases was a simple bunk bed in a shared dormitory. Long trips were not uncommon, and a brochure from 1982 even advertised a 17-day trip, including accommodation and travel, for just £69 – around £250 today – Metro reports. High street travel agents were the best way to book your next trip in 1986Trips overseasAs technology advanced and the limits of travelling abroad expanded, many Brits began holidaying overseas from the 1960s onwards.In the 1980s, destinations like Spain were becoming increasingly popular and Peter Dench, author of The British Abroad, recalled how the first time he ventured out of the UK was in 1986. He headed to Magaluf with his family aged 14, where he enjoyed full English breakfasts and, despite being underage, alcoholic drinks. Brits were also heading to Italy and Sardinia and Elba were ’emerging destinations’ in 1986, according to Which?.Despite its beauty, authorities warned against visiting Sicily at the time because of a string of mafia-related murders. Aside from Spain, Italy was attracting attention from Brits too. Pictured: Passengers on board Concorde in 1986Classic seaside holidays Many refer to the 70s and 80s as the ‘death of the seaside holiday’ due to the increasing numbers of Brits heading abroad on cheap package holidays. Although there was a shift in tourism, many hadn’t forgotten about trips to the UK coast. Resort towns like Blackpool and Brighton were still popular and tourists could enjoy a Cornetto ice cream from just 37p.For Brits looking to enjoy a pint of beer by the sea, typically a bitter, they would have to cough up 82p, according to Retrowow. Another seaside staple – fish and chips – has drastically changed in price since 1986 too. An old menu posted on TikTok shows a large fish for just 75p, others on social media estimate the cost, including chips, came to 90p around the same time. Deckchair hire can now cost around £5 a day – but it used to be much cheaper in the 1980s.Blackpool local Andrew Beaumont used to manage a deckchair hire stall in the 1980s and 90s.’I was 16 when I started. The deckchairs cost 65p a day to hire with a 25p deposit,’ he told Blackpool Gazette. ‘There was 50 workers then, including managers and drivers. Later they increased to £1 but still hiring out a few hundred thousand a year – it was good business!’ But despite all the possibilities abroad, Britons hadn’t completely forgotten about seaside holidays Blackpool and Brighton (pictured) were still popular with Brits seeking sunny breaks away with sand and funHigh street travel agentsToday, it’s the norm to scroll through a website on your mobile phone and choose your next break away. But the 1980s was the heyday for high street travel agents, and there were over 3,000 travel agents across the country.They dominated 90 per cent of the travel market, according to Atol.One of the leading independent travel agents in the UK, Regent Travel, launched in 1986 and opened its first store in Stone, Staffordshire. 1986 holiday prices vs 2026 Passengers jetting off on the Concorde airliner in 1986 Fish and chipsPint of beerSingle ice cream coneDeck chair day hire Fuel costsPackage holiday price 1980s 90p 82p37p65p £1.79 a gallon £160 for a week all inclusive in Spain 2026 £11.17£5.50 £2 and £4£5 £6.89 a gallon£914, all inclusive for a family for one week in 2025, according to BBC