Holidays and travel
We spend all year looking forward to our holidays, so make sure you’re getting the best deal you can.
Before you go
If you know you’re going on holiday well in advance you can put a little cash aside each month towards it. If you’re off in a rush, make sure you have a plan on how you will pay for it all when you get back, and no, not eating for a month doesn’t count.
Flight-only
There are many budget airlines that now offer cheap flights at the cost of all frills (in-flight movies, meals). Take a book and a sandwich, or sleep your way through and you could save vast sums of cash.
The airports you fly to are often further away from the cities though; so do remember to include the train/bus fare to and from the airport as well as the flights when working out which way is cheaper.
You’ll mostly get the best deals by booking way in advance, or by travelling mid week, however more expensive airlines may offer better deals at the last minute for long-haul destinations.
You’ll need to find some accommodation once you have your flights sorted. Look in quidebooks for budget hotels, stay in hostels, crash with friends or go camping. There are lots of links on cheap European places to stay on the Guardian Travel site.
Package deals
These are holidays where you buy the accommodation and flights as one. You can save money this way but don’t always know what you are getting for your cash. Always check the firm is reputable when booking with them and make sure they have an ATOL licence.
Most package deals will insist you have travel insurance, so shop around to get the best on for your needs.
Going away at the last minute? Often you can find cheap package deals for flight and accommodation, rushing you off somewhere suitably sun-drenched in a matter of days. Try websites like Expedia and Lastminute.com, as well as travel agents and Teletext.
UK-based
Can’t stretch to an overseas trip? You could always have a local holiday for local people, piling yourself and some mates into a car with a tent or two and head off to the coast to build sandcastles. Or if you’re really skint, opt for a complete staycation and be a tourist in your own hometown.
Saving money when travelling
There are plenty of ways to cut costs on your holiday without limiting your fun. Whether you choose to stay in hostels, save on food costs and accommodation bills, hitch, or take a road trip. If you are going for a longer trip you may even want to consider working for part of the time.
Changing money
You should look for commission-free exchanges wherever possible to save money when changing your money into another currency or travellers cheques.
Several places offer this now, from Post Office to high street banks and supermarkets, however many others still charge up to 2%, so always check before you buy.
Guardian Money has plenty of tips for avoiding charges when taking money abroad.
Travel insurance
It’s not glamorous and might seem like a bit of a waste of money but if you have an accident, your bag goes missing or you have to cancel your holiday at the last minute, it could save you thousands of pounds. Check out online comparison sites for the best deals.
2010-10-23 12:01:08
My boyfriend and I are currently discussing going on holiday. We're hopefully going away on two next year. He's taking me to The Bahamas and also Gran Canaria (as I love it there)! But yes, you CANNOT possibly go to another country without having travel insurance? Look at what happened with the Volcanic Ash cloud.... Teletext also do the BEST holiday deals possible! Especially if you choose a last minute deal!
2010-11-03 22:37:31
I havent been on a holiday in ages. Next year I want to go to reading festival and to spain or somewhere. Uk holidays arent normally as good and are quite expensive, when you consider its like what 70 quid to go to spain. I need to reaply for my passport aswell.
2011-01-28 14:25:07
Good advice here and I totally agree travel i nsurance is so very very important but if you do not read the small print and then understand what your insurance acrually covers! often we just think that we know and are often disappointed
2011-04-15 21:13:02
The flight only idea saves you a fortune! Going to spain and made our own holiday together, saved us £90 each!
2011-06-03 14:33:42
I've just booked Ibiza and i'm going to get my travel insurance one day next week. As the women told me who booked it, an E111 card does cover health care costs in public hospitals, but in spain it's likely you'll be taken to a private hospital in which case you'll need to pay and claim from your insurance.
Answer correctly and win
funky points every day!
Q1 = 5 points
Q2 = 10 points
Q3 = 15 points
