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So the great day has arrived and you’re off on holiday at last. Hopefully you’ve got a great deal on the holiday you wanted, and are now looking forward to a week or two of complete relaxation without a care in the world.
The problem is that it’s not always that straightforward. Almost as soon as you step out of the door, holiday expenses begin to mount up. Whether it’s paying for pets to be looked after, airport transport and shopping, food and drink whilst away, and also keeping everyone entertained . . . the list is endless. And if you’re not careful, you can end up fretting about money during your holiday instead of enjoying yourself.
But with a bit of advance planning about how you are going to spend your money on holiday you can still have a great time without blowing your budget.
So in this article we share a few tips on how to save money when you’re on holiday, and have a great time without breaking the bank. We’ll look at four specific areas:
If you have pets, it can make a huge difference to the cost of your holiday. Kennels and catteries can be very expensive, and could add a significant amount to your holiday budget.
Another option is to have someone staying in your home while you are away. There are many professional home sitting organisations that you could use, though this will also be expensive. A cheaper alternative is to find someone you know, or even a friend of a friend, who would like a change of scenery and would welcome the opportunity to stay in your home for a while.
This is a cost-effective option that would give you the peace of mind of knowing that your home and pets are being well-looked after. It could be the ideal solution to pet care while you are away.
It seems that anything to do with airports is expensive! But there are things that you can do to cut the cost. Let’s take a quick look at three of the main areas of expense:
If you plan to drive to the airport, make sure you book your parking as far in advance as possible as this could cut the cost by up to a third. Last minute parking will always result in a hefty bill. If you are travelling some distance it may also be worth researching whether there are nearby hotels that include holiday parking and airport transport in the price of an overnight stay.
If you are travelling light then public transport such as an airport train or bus service is usually the cheapest option. Taxis can be incredibly expensive, so if you want to be driven to the airport a better option would be to find a family member or friend who is prepared to give you a lift, and you agree to do the same for them in future.
The best way to save money at the airport depends on the time of day you are travelling, how long you are going to have to wait, and what food is included on the plane. If you have a long wait at the airport and will need to eat during this time it may be worth considering booking into an airport lounge. Prices start at around £25-35 per person and typically include food and drink (often including alcohol), wifi, newspapers and showers. Some lounges also have childrens’ entertainment and/or play areas.
You can usually check into an airport lounge 2-3 hours in advance of your flight. When you start to add up what you could spend in the airport during that time on food, drink, snacks and shopping, it could work out better value to use an airport lounge.
Start by checking out a few examples online, for example Travel Supermarket.
If the cost of your flight does not include food, and you are going to have to pay extra on board, you can save money by taking your own food on board with you.
If you have a short journey to the airport you could bring food with you from home. Or you can buy food at airport food outlets more cheaply than on the plane.
You will not be allowed to take liquids through airport security, but could take an empty water bottle through and then fill it at the other side. Many airports have free water fountains available, or you can ask staff at bars or cafés to fill it for you. This is a small saving but can quickly add up, particularly for a family.
One of the biggest daily expenses on holiday is food and drink. A very easy way to get round this is to book an all-inclusive package. Not only are all your main meals included, but also all the little extras that add up on holiday, such as pool-side drinks, snacks and ice creams.
With a half board package, try and time your meals to reduce what you need to spend away from the hotel. For example, if you have a late breakfast and early dinner, you can probably skip lunch.
If you are on a bed and breakfast basis, eat as late and as much as you can. You could then have a late lunch/early dinner so that you are only paying for one meal. A late lunch may offer you an excellent value set menu. Or if you have any facilities in your room to make or eat a simple meal, you could buy supplies at a local supermarket instead of eating out.
And when you do eat out, always try to eat where the locals eat away from the main tourist areas. Ask the locals for recommendations, and you are likely to get better quality food and a more authentic atmosphere at a much cheaper price than the tourist traps.
If you are at an all-inclusive hotel or resort, there is likely to be a wide range of entertainment available, including children’s clubs and activities. This is a great way to cut the cost of day trips whilst keeping everyone happy.
If you do want to go out and about in the local area, it’s usually much cheaper to visit places of interest independently rather than paying for a tour. Local public transport such as buses, trains and boats is usually the cheapest and most efficient way of getting around.
Most cities have free walking tours that you can join. And also look around for adverts for local attractions and events that may not be on the tourist radar. It’s possible to see so much more of your holiday destination at a fraction of the cost of tour guide organised excursions.
We hope that the ideas in this article help you to find ways to save money on holiday this summer. But if you and your family do need some extra money before you go, remember that Loans2Go offers personal loans that may be able to help.
During the rest of 2025, we will be covering lots more ways to save money on daily living, so remember to check back here soon with us at Loans 2 Go.
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Top tips on how to save money on holiday 
