We all need a vacation every once in a while, but it can be pricy. Here are seven frugal holiday hacks that will save you potentially hundreds…
Holidays are more than just a luxury – they are a much-needed motivator to get through the year, and by putting a few handy tips to good use, you could find yourself saving £100s as you take off to your dream destination. Here are seven great holiday hacks to get you started…
Ask for the best price
The holiday industry is centred around time-sensitive products that need to be sold, such as hotel rooms and flights, so never accept the price without seeing if it is possible to get a discount. Remember – something selling for less is better than generating no income at all. Last-minute bookings can often be reduced, as the smaller the window to sell, the less chance there will be of success, putting you in an advantageous position.
Be flexible about departing
Recent research carried out by travel retailer Holiday Hypermarket shows that being flexible on your holiday dates can save you a lot of money. The ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’ campaign looked at more than 1,000 breaks and found that holidaymakers could save almost £500 by heading to Egypt on a Friday rather than at the weekend, and pay nearly £250 less by taking a trip to Mexico trip on a Sunday not a Saturday. There is no rule of thumb, but choosing a less-popular day for your trip could mean a big reduction in the overall cost of your holiday.
Try a no-frills approach
Every penny counts when trying to make a holiday less expensive, so opt out of all the unnecessary ‘perks’ while travelling. Priority boarding, pre-selected seats and extra baggage all add up quickly and you can do without them. The plane won’t leave without you, so there’s no need to be the first on board and you’ll be spending your whole holiday with your travel partner, so do you really need to sit together? Keep your baggage allowance in check, too.
Embrace self-catering options
An often overlooked choice in our holiday hacks is one that can end up saving you lots. Choosing a self-catering holiday will save you money and encourage you to experience more of your location as well. A trip to the local supermarket will provide you with all the food and treats you’ll need, and from there you can make meals that you know everyone will enjoy and pack picnics for daytime explorations. This is far cheaper than getting hungry and diving into pricey cafés on the fly.
Walk, don’t drive
There is a temptation to hop in cabs for short journeys when on holiday, but don’t! Ask at your hotel’s reception for nearby day-trip recommendations, as well as directions, and simply walk. Tourist hotspots often have a lot to see and do in relatively small areas, so walking makes good sense and you’ll get to see so much more of the region. The savings will be significant, too, leaving you with extra cash for nights out.
Check your restaurant bills
If you love eating out when on holiday, don’t take it for granted that you need to tip when paying your bill. It is now standard practice, in many countries, to include a proprietary service charge on every bill, and if you don’t spot it, you could be tipping twice. Of course, if you find the service amazing, tip as much as you like, but for frugal holidaymakers, this is a pitfall that can prove costly.
Be drink aware
Did you know that draught beers are almost always far cheaper than bottled varieties? And that locally produced wines will invariably cost less than imported ones? Think about how many drinks you are likely to enjoy while on holiday and you’ll soon see that the savings will add up. Local drinks go far better with the food as well.
By using these holiday hacks, you could find that your holiday costs significantly less, potentially affording you the chance to get away more than once. Weekend city break, anyone?
