Whether you are hoping to slip away for a quick weekend city break without the kids or head abroad for a lazy couple of weeks on the beach, most of us want to find the best possible value for our holiday.
With living costs creeping up and many holidaymakers having to curtail their plans for exotic and luxury trips, a budget break can be the perfect solution. Shop around for the cheapest travel options, stay in inexpensive accommodation and make the most of the free attractions in the destinations you are visiting.
Read on to find out how you can cut your holiday budget this summer.
Book late
While waiting until the last possible moment before booking your trip might not be too good for your nerves, it can be very healthy for your bank balance. Many airlines and hotel operators slash their prices in order to fill capacity and at certain times of the year it can be something of a buyers’ market.
Keep an eye out for late holiday deals and prepare to be flexible on dates, times and even final destinations. If you have an open mind on where to go, you’re much more likely to end up enjoying the spontaneity of your adventure. Browse for the best deals early in the week; people tend to travel on Fridays and at the weekends because those are the most convenient, so you can pick up good deals on flights and hotels if you opt to depart mid-week.
…But book other things early
If you are planning your trip around a certain event or attraction, it makes sense to ensure you will definitely be attending. For this reason, book those tickets as soon as you can and you won’t then run the risk of missing out. It also pays to be a bit of an early bird and do your homework – many tourist attractions in Europe and North America offer online discounts if you book over the internet, so seek out voucher codes and special offers.
Take advantage of the freebies
Every city, no matter what its reputation for living costs, will have plenty of things you can do for free. Check out prettily landscaped botanical gardens, take picnics to the park or wander around the city to spot its architectural marvels.
If you happen to be near a beach, spend a day or two doing nothing but soaking up the sun. The cost – other than that of suncream and snacks throughout the day – is free and you can entertain the kids by exploring rock pools, teaching them how to snorkel and splashing in the waves.
Slash your food and drink budget
Opting for self-catered accommodation can help you cut your costs – as long as you stick to the local supermarkets and stay away from pricy restaurants. If you’re going with a group of friends, organise a rota so that everyone takes their turn at buying in groceries, preparing a meal and cleaning up afterwards, and think about starting a kitty to take care of purchasing the booze.
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