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With the cost of living continuing to rise, going on a summer holiday has never been more expensive. Searches for ‘cheap holidays packages’ has surged over the last month, with an increase in the search volume of 571% on Google. Nick Drewe, Discount Expert at WeThrift: “Switching your device into private mode, will prevent booking sites from tracking your browsing habits, allowing you to surf the sites without the price increasing.”
10 Tips to save money when booking a holiday
So if you’re ready for that blast of heat to hit you as you walk off the plane, here are some easy ways to save some cash this year:
- Check a few different airlines for flight deals
When booking a holiday, it may feel like the easier option to book flights, hotels and transfers as a package, but by checking comparison websites like Sky Scanner you may find you can secure a better deal on your flights.
Top tip: Download the Chrome extension ‘CheaperThere’. When booking online through comparison sites, click on the extension, this will find you the best price for the flight or hotel.
- Consider non-direct flight
Though it may seem a little bit more inconvenient, flying non-direct and stopping through another country can be a great way to save a little bit of money. Normally this will be for a couple of hours that will then take you on to your connecting country. The great thing about choosing this option is that flights are normally a lot cheaper and you have the chance to see another country on the way to your destination.
Tip: Turn your search mode to private or incognito. Booking sites will often track your browsing habits, to see how many times you check rates for particular dates and may increase the price of holiday packages so you feel the urgency to book.
- Stay in hostels
Not all accommodation has to be expensive. It’s important to remember that when you go on holiday, a lot of the time will be spent exploring, especially when you’re on a city break. So, unless you’ve opted for a poolside villa holiday, it’s an idea to consider the cheaper accommodation option of a hostel. If you don’t want to share a room with someone else then there are often options of getting a private room – which can still be cheaper than a hotel.
- Check for group discounts
Are you travelling as a group when you go on holiday this year? If the answer is yes, then it’s always worth checking for group discounts that will make your trip cheaper. Sharing rooms and group bookings will often lower costs, so if you’ve always wanted that fun trip away, grab your friend and enjoy the sunshine together.
- Book your holiday in advance
Though it may seem quite an obvious one, the best way you can save money when booking a holiday is booking far in advance or at the very last minute. If you are pretty flexible with dates then seeing something last minute might work in your favour, however, if you are set on dates then your best option is to book it as far in advance as possible to get the best deal.
- Be flexible with dates
It’s always the best idea to stay off-season when it comes to booking a holiday, as school holidays can often make things a lot more expensive. Not only that but going on holiday between July and September can often mean there will be kids and families around that will make excursions a lot busier and potentially harder to book.
Top tip: Use Google Flights for cheap holiday inspiration. Click ‘Explore Destinations’ and it will suggest when and where the most affordable flights are from your chosen destination.
- Try a staycation instead of going abroad
While trips abroad have been off the cards for a while, that doesn’t mean you can’t still holiday in the UK for a cheaper trip. In fact, the UK is home to some of the most beautiful locations, including Cornwall which has a vast array of stunning beaches that will make you feel like you are on a warm trip abroad.
- Search for travel insurance deals
If you are planning to go abroad this year, then you might want to consider where you can get the best travel insurance deals. At the very least you should always make sure you have some kind of travel insurance before you go to another country, so you don’t end up having to pay for any additional treatments while you are away.
- Get sightseeing or city pass
If while you are away you are planning to visit tourist attractions in the area, its always worth checking to see if they do group passes. Not only can this save you money, but you may actually be able to get a few attractions for the price of one, depending on where you book. Before opting for a city pass, make sure you know where you want to visit first to see whether using a multi-experience ticket is worth it.
- Keep within luggage allowances
One way that could lead you to spend money a little more than necessary is by not keeping within luggage allowances, whether that be the size of your carry-on or the weight of your suitcase when you get to the airport. To avoid any extra costs, make sure to check up on luggage allowances before you leave for the airport, or invest in some luggage scales so that you can check you are within restrictions.
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