Prices for all-inclusive family package holidays in some of the most popular destinations have soared over the past year. But there are ways of saving money if you want to escape abroad. Here are six tips to help keep costs down.
1. Book early for July and August. The price you pay for your accommodation depends on when you book. July and August are the peak months for summer holidays, not just for Brits but for people in other parts of Europe. If you’ve ever been to Paris in August, there’s hardly anyone there, everybody goes to the beach or heads for the mountains. That’s when the hotels put their prices up. Therefore, it is usually cheaper to book a holiday abroad for June or September. If you do have to go during the peak months, it is generally a good idea to book it as early as you can.
2. Fly mid-week and early in the morning. The best time to travel is the middle of the week, according to Sean Tipton, spokesperson for The Travel Association (ABTA). The weekend is the most expensive time to go because people prefer to fly over the weekend, so if you fly mid-week, it is generally cheaper. The same goes for the time of the day you travel. It is common sense really, Tipton says. I don’t particularly like getting up at 3am for a 6am flight, and I’m not alone in that, so those flights will be consequently cheaper.
3. Book a hotel room late. If you have some flexibility around when you can travel, there are some last-minute bargains to be had. Package holiday operators may have booked a lot of hotel space in advance, which they may not have been able to sell as the holiday date approaches. They’ll discount it just to make sure they get something for it. Travel agents get sent notifications of last-minute good deals, so they’re a good place to go if you’ve left it late and you want a good, cheap deal. Another option is house-swapping. Instead of paying for a hotel or villa, people can register with an online platform, which acts as a fixer between homeowners in different countries who want to stay in each other’s houses.
4. Pay in the local currency. Avoid changing money at the airport, says Alastair Douglas, chief executive at TotallyMoney, a price comparison site. Airports are normally the most expensive places to change cash. Instead, change your money well in advance. If people are worried about exchange rates shifting between booking a holiday and the date of departure, they can hedge their bets by changing half in advance and half nearer the time. However, he says that people don’t really travel with lots of cash anymore. Most spending is done on cards. This is a good thing, Douglas says, because it will often allow you to select the local currency, which is probably the thing that will save you the most amount of money.
5. Weigh your bags. Even before you reach your destination, costs can pile up. Make sure you print out your boarding pass ahead of time. Some airlines can charge a lot of money just to print out at the airport. If you’re bringing a small suitcase on board the plane, bear in mind both the weight and the size of the luggage if you have to measure it in a metal sizer at the airport. If it doesn’t fit, you may be charged a fee to check it into the plane’s hold.
6. Buy toiletries in advance. Food, drink, and toiletries are often more expensive at the airport. One of the reasons, according to Nicky Kelvin, editor at The Points Guy website, is because of the 100ml onboard liquid rule. While restrictions have recently been relaxed at airports in Edinburgh and Birmingham, it applies everywhere else in the UK. One way to cut costs is to order your sun cream or other toiletries online and pick them up in-store at the airport once you’ve been through security. Some retailers allow you to do this. So, it’s a double whammy – you’re going to save because you’re going to get the cheaper online pricing, and you’re going to avoid the security issue because you’re going to pick up your big liquids after. Another cost-saving tip is to take a water bottle with you. Most airports have free water refill stations. He also recommends taking along your own snacks in lunch boxes, especially handy if you’re traveling with children.
Source link
