Holiday Money Saving Tips
If you’re looking longingly out of your bedroom window, aching for some sun, sea and sand to banish those winter blues, then this article could be just what you’re crying out for! In one handy list we have packed in some money saving tips, designed to ensure that having a dream holiday does not need to cost you the earth!
How to cut the cost of your holiday in a few easy steps!
- Book online! This may seem obvious, but booking online can save you time and money. Whilst you may prefer a face-to-face discussion with a travel agent, the benefits of booking your holiday on the web are endless. Indeed, most travel operators offer discounts if you book online, as opposed to over the telephone or in a shop. Check that the website you are purchasing off has either ABTA or ATOL protection. This means that if the holiday company goes under, you should get your money back!
- Book off-peak and mid-week if possible. Friday, Saturday and Sunday generally attract an additional supplement. Generally speaking, tickets to Europe are cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, whereas flights to America are cheaper Monday to Thursday. You’ll find that hotels and flights are much cheaper during the off-season, so try booking just before or just after a major holiday season. For Europe, October, November, January, February and May are good times to go.
- The rule of thumb is to book flights as far in advance as you can. This is particularly useful if you know when you want to travel, and want to stick to a strict itinerary. But the speed at which the deals are snapped up varies widely depending on the type of flight and the popularity of the destination. Typically, there will be cheap and expensive deals for each flight, and it is usually the case that the best bargains go on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, if you are keen to travel on popular dates, such as during the school holidays, then you are advised to book as early as possible before the good deals run out. That said, as the departure date nears, flights with many unsold tickets will often offer heavy discounts in order to fill the flight. As a result, some fantastic bargains can be picked up on late deals, particularly if you are traveling off-peak. It is a good idea to look out for late deals for weekend breaks on scheduled airlines, as there will be huge discounts if insufficient seats have been sold.
- Shop around for currency deals. If you are using traditional currency or travelers checks, it is important to look for the best rates. To find the best deal you should look for two things - the exchange rate on offer and the commission charged. Typically, bureaux de change that are found in airports, ferries and hotels do not offer the best rates. Beware also of those bureaux that claim to be ‘commission free’. Quite often you will find that these places use a poor exchange rate – meaning you will get less for your money in the end. Due to the nature of exchange rates, they will fluctuate regularly. Therefore, if you see a good deal, it is best to buy straight away. Don’t rely on withdrawing money from ATMs abroad using your debit card, as you will usually be hit by steep charges. We recommend using the Post Office or Marks & Spencer to change your currency as these tend to offer consistently good rates.
- Research your holiday insurance! Travellers often mistakenly add hundreds of pounds a year onto the cost of their trip by not taking out the best value policy. Firstly, resist the temptation to buy more insurance than you need. If you are planning to go skiing or ski-diving then it is crucial to take out sufficient insurance. However, if you are going on a simple beach holiday, the chances are that you will not need the super platinum insurance cover. Secondly, shop around! A quick search on the internet will throw up several insurance comparison sites. Here, you can look for the cheapest deal that is just right for you. Beware though of those that appear to be excellent value. Clever insurers will often have a low guide price, which is then bumped up through expensive excesses. Remember that if you are likely to travel abroad more than once a year, you will save yourself money by buying annual, multi-trip insurance, as opposed to a single trip policy.
- Don’t buy your holiday essentials at the last minute! Things like sandwiches, bottled water, suntan lotion and sunglasses are all sold in airports at a mark-up. Therefore, it will often save you money to buy all these things in advance from a supermarket. Likewise, you can find some great deals online for all your holiday reading. Sites like amazon.co.uk will offer huge discounts on retail prices for a variety of best sellers. You may find that it is cheaper to purchase some products, like electrical goods, at the airport due to the removal of tax. However, generally speaking, most goods are cheaper to buy on the high street.
- Look for discounts on day trips! Day trips offer a unique opportunity to explore a new country, as well as providing a fantastic way to entertain young children. However, for a family, these day trips can soon add up to become very costly. There is no point saving lots of money before you go on holiday, just to go and waste it all once you are there! Discounts can always be found, and sometimes it is just a case of finding them. A quick internet search will reveal several websites where you can buy your attraction tickets in advance. This not only saves you money, but also allows you to jump the queues on the day – invaluable if you have much to see and do! Alternatively, look at the website of the local tourist board and see if there are any special offers to be found. Discounts can also usually be found on travel passes. Many places offer special passes for tourists, families, students, pensioners, etc, all of which can contribute to great savings. For extra savings, remember to take bottled water and packed lunches with you wherever possible, as this will usually be cheaper than buying them from popular tourist haunts.
Added: 07 November 2007 - 15:23
