Summer holidays are nearly here and whether you’ve booked months in advance or are looking to jet off on a last minute get away, Britain’s airports will soon be filled with holidaymakers.
While many will have already booked their vacations, holiday expert Fred Harrington, CEO of coupon site Bountii, has come up with a list of 10 tips and tricks to help Britain’s holidaymakers save some cash this summer.
From the perfect time to travel to knowing what to spend your holiday doing, Fred’s list covers a range of topics.
1. Travel at less busy, off-peak times
This sounds relatively self explanatory but during school holiday times prices to jet off to a hotter climate will cost around £746 for just four people. So if you can get away in June before the schools break up, or even better head away after they go back to school in September then your holiday will, in theory, be quite a bit cheaper. And if you can head to less touristy places, again they are often cheaper than the busier areas.
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For those who have children and still want to get away with slightly cheaper prices, the last week in August would be your best bet for a cheaper holiday with prices being 15.5% less than the holiday average.
Be flexible (Getty/Craig Hastings)2. Make the most of coupons and discounts
Booking sites try to work with the customer where possible and many do have some amazing discounts and coupons that’ll save you some decent money. Not every single coupon can be used for all holidays but it is a good idea to make use of these when you can.
A more expensive holiday, for example, could see you save more than a cheaper holiday and you could even get your dream holiday for a significantly reduced price. Another tip is to be flexible with dates and specific areas of your destination, as you may save more.
3. Take advantage of comparison websites
Another friend of holiday makers is the ever popular comparison websites, aiming to get you the best, cheapest deal possible. Whether it be hotels, flight prices or even package holidays websites like Booking.com and Trivago compare all prices to get you the best, or if you’re just looking for flights, Skyscanner has become a recent popular site for affordable fares.
If you’re looking to sort your travel insurance, websites like Go Compare and Compare the Market have some great deals.
4. Consider an all-inclusive package holiday
It might not seem it but sometimes all-inclusive holidays can be the slightly cheaper holiday option. While heading out to eat at local restaurants is a great way of trying the local cuisine, sometimes it can actually be a more expensive way of doing your holiday.
And while you may not be exploring as much, you definitely won’t be stressed trying to decide which place you want to eat at. Not all holidays offer all-inclusive so you may need to shop around a bit until you find the perfect one.
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5. Pack light and avoid paying for luggage
If you’re travelling with children you often can’t get away with just carry-on luggage but if you can you will be saving a good chunk of money and many airlines do offer free underseat or even overhead luggage options. All airlines are different so prices will vary and what there is on offer will also depend on who you’re flying with.
But if you do need to take a hold bag then make sure to pack as light as you possibly can, taking just what you need rather than multiple different outfits for each day. Write a detailed list of everything you need, roll clothes where possible to save space and even take travel size toiletries.
Travellers are told to pack light where possible (Getty)6. Opt for free and low-cost activities
It's great being able to go out on a jet ski or go snorkelling but these activities are not the cheapest so finding engaging activities for all the family on the cheap may be a better option, and there are some great things you can do. With museums, galleries and cultural landmarks all tending to be free, these options are a brilliant way of learning a bit more about the place you’re visiting. Or if you fancy something a little more adventurous, boat trips and tours are also relatively low cost.
7. Choose walking over driving
Another relatively self explanatory point, but hiring a car while abroad can get pretty expensive especially when most places Brits visit are easily walkable. Not only is it cheaper, you also get some great exercise and you’re able to take in more from your surroundings. And if you really do need to go a little further afield most areas have public transport options that aren’t too pricey.
8. Cook some of your vacation meals
If you haven’t gone for an all-inclusive holiday but your accommodation has self-catering capabilities then cooking an evening meal or two is another great way to save money. Yes you want to make the most of your holiday and don’t want to cook but you can still enjoy local food by heading to a local supermarket and cooking using local ingredients.
9. Provide your own entertainment
While nights out are great, especially in the sun, but you may fancy a quiet night in one night and having something to keep you entertained is vital. While many holidays abroad have TVs, a lot of the time they’re not the easiest to use, so if you’re wanting to watch TV why not bring a tablet or laptop with you. Or for those who fancy more of a games night then cards or small portable board games are perfect for enjoying on your balcony.
10. Ensure you’re fully covered to avoid incurring extra charges
Having travel insurance when heading abroad is vital as it keeps you covered should anything go wrong, keeping the prices down. And along the same lines make sure you have a valid GHIC card as it may allow you to access state healthcare in some countries so you won’t have to pay more than residents.
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