Planning your next holiday is always exciting, but in a way it can also be a little stressful. Personally, however much I am looking forward to going away, there’s always a small (and sometimes big!) part of me that’s fretting about the cost. These days, I’m well versed in finding ways to cut down the cost of my breaks, so I thought I’d share what I’ve learned.
- Going abroad? How to keep the cost of holidays downEd Yourdon / Foter.com / CC BY-SA
My top tips are:
1) Find out whether you’re entitled to any discounts
In my opinion, your starting point should be working out whether there are any particular discounts and deals you’re automatically eligible for. For instance, certain professions and jobs give you the chance to save money on all kinds of things – so if you’re not sure what’s available to you, it’s well worth finding out!
As an example, people who work in the civil service can get a variety of holiday-based discounts by joining organisations like CSMA Club. This can include money off things including travel insurance, ferries and package holidays.
Taking the example of CSMA Club again, members can get a five per cent discount on LV= travel insurance – and if you buy online, that increases to 15 per cent. This includes UK, European and worldwide policies, as well as single-use and annual cover.
2) Travel out of season if you can
My next tip is to travel outside of peak season. Now, I realise this isn’t something that everyone will be able to do (for example, if you’ve got school-age children, your options are pretty limited!), but it’s a good thing to aim for.
Generally speaking, prices are lower at less popular times of the year and when your target destination is out of season, such as when the weather’s not usually at its best. At first, the idea of travelling to somewhere like India during monsoon season might not sound like a fab plan, but there are loads of perks – and not just the price.
For example, the scenery in India is typically really lush during monsoon season and, since the rain tends to fall in short, sharp bursts rather than throughout the day, there’s still plenty of scope for enjoying dry weather. What’s more, the climate doesn’t usually stop you enjoying indoor attractions, like museums.
3) Always do your sums
Finally, when trying to save money on your holiday, it’s vital to take the time to do your sums. Seeking out lots of different options and working out which is the cheapest sounds like an arduous task – and, to be honest, it’s not the most fun thing in the world! – but since it can save you a significant sum, it’s always worth it.
The important thing to remember is that you need to add up more than basic prices alone, rather than just the cost of your hotel and transport. For example, you should tally up how much additional travel will cost (i.e. getting to and from airports and exploring your chosen destination), as well as the price of food, how much various attractions charge, and whether you can save money by flying with another airline or by booking your plane tickets and hotel separately, rather than as part of a package deal.
