Vicky Ways to Save Money On Your Next Holiday
We all look forward to going on holiday, even if we booked it a year ago. But the cost of flights, accommodation, food and attractions can soon add up. But the good news is that you do not need to spend loads of money to have an amazing holiday. There are many ways to save money and reduce the cost of your next holiday without missing anything from your experience. Read on to see 25 ways to save money on your next holiday.
Start Saving Early
One of the easiest ways to make your holiday more affordable is to start saving early. Put away a small amount of money every week, and it will make a huge difference to your bank balance by the time your departure day comes. Create a separate holiday bank account, or open a ‘pocket’ in one of your accounts. If you are going on a big holiday, open up a high-interest account and put money away monthly. Then withdraw it just before your holiday.
Set a Daily Spending Budget To Save Money On Your Next Holiday
It’s easy to lose track of spending when you’re on holiday. Work out roughly how much you can afford to spend each day and divide your budget between food, transport, attractions and entertainment. You can always spend less on one day and use the money for something special later in the trip. Using pockets on your banking apps helps you to keep an eye on your spending.
Don’t Exchange Your Money at the Airport
Airport currency exchange services may not offer the most competitive rates. Compare your options before travelling and check the fees and exchange rates associated with your debit or travel card. It is usually more affordable to use cards on holiday and also to take cash out of an ATM when you arrive at your destination.
Decide What Is Worth Spending Money On
Saving money doesn’t mean you have to cut out everything enjoyable. Instead, decide which experiences matter most to you. Perhaps you’d rather spend money on an amazing day trip but save by eating cheaply for a couple of evenings. A good holiday budget isn’t necessarily about spending as little as possible. It’s about spending your money on the things that make your trip memorable.
Make Your Holiday Money Go Further
Planning a holiday on a budget can take a little more preparation, but it doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the fun. Compare your options, be flexible where possible, look for free activities and keep an eye on the little expenses that can quickly add up. Most importantly, create a budget before you travel so you know what you can comfortably afford. Whether you’re planning a weekend in the UK, a European city break or a much bigger adventure, a few clever choices can help your holiday budget go much further. After all, the best memories from a holiday don’t always come with a price tag.
Be Flexible With Your Dates To Save Money On Your Next Holiday
If you can be flexible with your holiday dates, you can get some cheaper holidays. Holidays are more expensive during school breaks because they know parents will pay the premium price. Whilst this is unfair to parents, it works out better if you can be flexible and go on holiday slightly out of season. Even travelling midweek instead of at the weekend can make a big difference.
Travelling during spring or autumn can often mean fewer crowds and potentially lower prices, while many destinations still have pleasant weather. This is called the shoulder season, and is still a nice time to visit somewhere.
Compare Flight Prices To Save Money On Your Next Holiday
Use a flight comparison site like Skyscanner to find cheaper flights; you can travel when the flights are cheaper to save a lot of money. Compare different airlines, airports and departure times. Also remember to consider the price of adding a piece of luggage too. Some airlines charge a lot for hold luggage, whereas some include it in the price of the flight. You should never buy a flight without checking prices first.
Use Travel Rewards and Loyalty Schemes
If you regularly travel, look at whether your airline, hotel chain, supermarket or bank offers a suitable loyalty programme or travel-related rewards. Sometimes you can collect air miles by using certain bank accounts or credit cards. Amex offer free air miles on British Airways. Just make sure you’re not spending more simply to earn points or rewards.
Consider Alternative Airports
You need to think out of the box when you look at flights because some flights are cheaper from smaller airports. For example, flying from Stansted is cheaper than Gatwick or Heathrow. If you choose an airport that has lower prices, you need to also consider the price of getting to the airport too.
Pack Properly
Forgetting something important can mean buying an expensive replacement while you’re away. Make a packing checklist covering clothing, toiletries, medication, chargers, travel documents and other essentials. Planning can save both money and stress whilst you are on holiday.
Travel With Hand Luggage
Travelling with hand luggage only is the way to go. It saves paying for luggage to go into the hold and it saves time having to wait for the luggage at your destination. Some budget airlines only offer a free underseat bag, whilst others offer a free underseat bag and overhead locker bag. If you are travelling with only an underseat bag, you need to think about only taking a few sets of clothes; if your bag is a few centimetres over, you will be charged for it.
Book Accommodation Carefully
Hotels aren’t your only option. Depending on your destination, consider apartments, hostels, guesthouses, holiday homes or budget hotels. Look at the location as well as the headline price. A slightly more expensive hotel in a central location could actually save you money on transport. I always use Google Maps to see where an accommodation is situated and whether it is close to public transport. Before booking somewhere, compare prices across several websites and check whether the accommodation has its own website. Also check what is included. A cheaper room without breakfast, Wi-Fi or parking may not actually work out cheaper.
Avoid Unnecessary Extras To Save Money On Your Next Holiday
When booking flights and accommodation, you may be offered numerous extras. Seat selection, additional luggage, transfers, upgrades and other add-ons can quickly increase the final price. Think about which extras you genuinely need before paying for them.
Book Attractions in Advance
Popular attractions can sometimes offer lower online prices when you buy the tickets before your visit. But they are often non-refundable, so check the terms and conditions. I usually use Get Your Guide because they have free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Always check the official attraction website before booking through another site.
Look for Free Attractions
You don’t have to spend money every day to have a great holiday. Many Cities and towns have free museums, parks, walking routes, beaches, markets, viewpoints and historic areas that you can explore without paying an entrance fee.
Look for City Passes
Some cities offer tourist passes that combine several attractions or include public transport. Before buying one, work out whether you’ll actually visit enough attractions to make the pass worthwhile. You need to do an itinerary and be able to fit in enough to get your money’s worth.
Research Free Walking Tours To Save Money On Your Next Holiday
Some cities have free or tip-based walking tours led by local guides. Although they are advertised as free, you will be expected to tip after the walking tour. You could do a tour on your phone, because there are always apps that offer tours of towns and cities. Walking tours can be a fun way to learn about a destination while keeping your sightseeing costs down. Check the current arrangements and tipping expectations before joining a tour.
Walk When You Can
Walking is one of the cheapest ways to explore a destination. If you’re staying somewhere central, you may discover that many of the places you want to visit are within walking distance. It’s also a great way to see parts of a city that you might otherwise miss. We always like to explore cities and towns by ‘getting lost’ in the side streets, where we find some awesome things to see and do.
Use Public Transport
Taxis and private transfers can become expensive, particularly when you’re travelling every day. Before your holiday, research local buses, trains, trams and metro systems before you arrive. Some destinations also offer travel passes that can reduce the cost of multiple journeys. Some cities like Basel offer a free public transport card when you book and stay at a hotel there. This can save a lot of money. Some places like Marrakech only charge 30p for the bus to the airport from the city, where a private transfer is £10.
Eat Like a Local
Restaurants aimed specifically at tourists can be expensive. Look for places where local residents eat and explore markets, bakeries and small cafés. You can often enjoy delicious food without paying premium tourist prices. The locals normally eat away from the tourist areas, and sometimes the walk to a restaurant away from the hustle and bustle of the city is a nice experience.
Take A Reusable Water Bottle To Save Money On Your Next Holiday
Buying bottled water throughout your holiday can quickly become an unnecessary expense. Take a reusable bottle and refill it where it is safe and appropriate to do so. Always check local guidance about drinking tap water. Taking a water bottle can also save money at the airport, where drink prices are hugely inflated.
Have Some Meals From a Supermarket
You don’t need to eat in restaurants three times a day. Buying breakfast items, snacks, fruit and drinks from a supermarket can significantly reduce your food budget. If your accommodation has a kitchen, you could even prepare some of your own meals. We often joke that visiting a supermarket is part of our holiday.
Avoid Airport Food And Drinks
Airport prices can be surprisingly high. If airline and airport rules allow it, take suitable snacks with you and consider filling your reusable water bottle after security where facilities are available. Also look at the price of booking into a lounge; they work out cheaper than having a meal and a couple of drinks at the airport.
Check Your Mobile Phone Plan
Using your phone abroad can potentially result in additional charges depending on your destination and mobile contract. Before travelling, check your provider’s roaming terms and consider whether an eSIM, local SIM or travel data package could be more economical.
