Everyone loves a holiday, but in these turbulent economic times it can sometimes seem like an expensive luxury. There are ways to cut down the amount you spend on travelling, though, so read on for some top money saving tips for holidaymakers.
Go to more unusual places
Many people from the UK choose to go on holiday in the Eurozone. However, this can often prove to be more expensive than if you go elsewhere. For instance, places such as Turkey and Bulgaria are often very cost effective and still provide a fantastic holiday experience, making them a great alternative choice.
Look at sales
There are also holiday sales from time to time: you need to be on your toes to get the best bargains and choosing discounted packages might give you limited choices when it comes to dates, but if you’re looking to save money on your holiday, this could be the way to go.
Get travel insurance
Having travel insurance can also save you money, as if anything goes wrong while you’re away it means you’ll be covered. If you’re going on multiple trips, annual travel insurance could be another good, cost effective option.
Look for good exchange rates
If you’re buying foreign currency for your holiday, it can be worth starting your search well in advance and looking at a variety of options in order to get the best possible deal. With volatile markets, it can be hard to know when the best time to buy is, but it is still possible to get decent deals that could save you money.
Consider a staycation
Lots of people from the UK choose to holiday abroad, but increasingly, the staycation is becoming more popular. Staying in the UK and booking train travel and hotels well in advance can provide you with a cost effective break that saves money in the long run, especially if you go somewhere that’s a bit more unusual than the likely suspects.
Go further and for longer
Alternatively, going further away and staying for longer could be another option. This can be a good choice if you are looking for a cost effective holiday as opposed to a cheap one; while long haul flights initially cost more, far flung destinations are often much cheaper once you’re there. Plus, if you stay for a significant period of time, hotels might be willing to offer you a discount as they’ll be happy a room has been filled.
Go at unusual times
Travelling at off-peak times is another good way of saving money on holidays. It might not always be possible when you have children at school, but if you can travel outside the school holidays, it could save you quite a lot of money.
Try the train
Finally, you could consider alternative methods of transport when travelling. For instance, in some cases the train could be a more cost effective option than flying, and using public transport could cost you less than travelling by taxi. Doing some research on your destination before you go can also help you to source the best bargains for your trip.
