Top summer holiday ideas on a budget for summer 2023

The long school summer holidays are drawing ever nearer, and the big question on everyone’s lips is “where are you going on holiday this year?”. It has become a bit of an expectation in western society that we will have a summer holiday every year. And if you don’t have some kind of summer holiday then you feel like you’re missing out.

The problem is that with the cost of living so high at the moment, any kind of holiday might understandably be off your agenda right now. But there may still be ways that you and your family can have a holiday without spending a small fortune. 

When you think about it, whatever you do this summer you are going to have to spend money on looking after and entertaining the kids, plus food and drink. And if you are away from home, you won’t have some of the normal expenses of running your home for the time you are away. So perhaps it could be possible to have at least a short break somewhere, without spending too much.

In this article we take a look at six ideas for a summer holiday on a budget. 

Cheap holiday abroad

It is still possible to grab a cheap holiday abroad this summer, particularly if you have a bit of flexibility over dates and destinations. Many major tour operators will offer last minute deals online so if you are prepared to vary your departure within a few days, or would be happy to go to a selection of places rather than one in particular you may well be able to find something at the last minute. It is also well worth checking with your local travel agent as they are likely to have access to deals that you may not be able to find elsewhere.

Also take the time to look at independent and niche holiday websites such as Holiday Pirates, On the Beach, or Love Holidays.

Another option would be to arrange your own transport and hotel (or AirBnB – see below) separately. Look at websites of major airlines to see if they are selling unfilled seats on their flights. Also check out websites such as Skyscanner, Opodo and Cheap Flights to see if you can put together a cheap deal yourself.

Airbnb

We’ve just mentioned Airbnb and it’s a great way to find good value accommodation anywhere. The accommodation is usually privately owned and you rent it directly from property owners which cuts out the middleman and associated costs. So if you are looking for a holiday home, or Bed and Breakfast accommodation in private homes – all at reasonable rates – then Airbnb is a good place to start.

There are also many other websites that offer property rental directly with the owners, so if you like the concept it’s worth taking time to research what else is out there.

Camping

If you are happy to sleep under the stars, camping is a great holiday option. And there are an increasing number of ways you can do it. Whether you want to take your own equipment or borrow someone else’s, are happy to rough it or prefer glamping, prefer to stay in the UK or travel abroad, there will be just the right holiday for you.

For starters, there are hundreds of campsites, caravan parks and holiday parks across the UK, and websites such as Campsites UK and UK Campsite can help you to identify one that is just right for you. If you want to travel further afield, check out sites such as Pitch Up or Eurocampings to get started.

Home swap

Another great holiday option is to arrange a home swap. The idea is simple : you stay in someone else’s home for your holiday, and they stay in yours. If you want to explore this idea further, there are many websites around that enable you to swap homes for an agreed short term period such as Home Exchange and Love Home Swap.

Home swapping can be a very cheap way to explore a new area, either in this country or abroad. And all sizes and styles of property are available to swap : you don’t have to have a luxury home in a fabulous area to be able to benefit from a home swap.

House sitting

If you like the idea of home swapping but are a bit wary of arranging it with complete strangers, how about staying in someone else’s home that you know? This could be even easier than general house swapping: all you need to do is think of friends or family in a part of the country – or even abroad – that you’d like to visit, then offer to house sit for them while they’re away. From their point of view it could be a weight off their mind having someone looking after their home – and perhaps their pets – while they are away. And you have a ready made holiday with the chance to get to know a different area. 

If you manage to arrange this you could also pay it forward by offering your home to someone else. This gives them a chance for a break and also means that you have someone to house sit for you.

Staycation

If none of the above options work for you this time round, why not organise a staycation instead? Make your home your holiday destination! Take a few days off work and other regular activities and treat that time as if you are away from home. 

For this to work properly, you and your family need to agree to some terms and conditions first. For example, why not plan some days out and fun activities together. There are probably many places near you that you’ve always intended to visit but never have; so now is the time. 

Also during this time, don’t do any work or jobs or daily chores, apart from the absolute essentials. Just relax and enjoy yourselves. You may also want to build in a digital detox with limited screen time so that you can focus on spending face to face time together rather than constantly checking phones.

Even though you are not going anywhere different, it can be a really refreshing change to make the most of where you are. And you don’t even have the hassle of travelling or packing to worry about!

We hope that this article has provided helpful ideas about how to have some family holiday time this summer and save money while doing so.

Do visit us here again soon for more lifestyle and financial tips from Loans 2 Go.