Ten ways to spend less money on holiday

So 2022 is the year you finally get to go on holiday again! After two years of chaos and disruption caused by Covid restrictions, many of us are now able to travel again. Perhaps you booked your holiday months ago, and have been counting the days? And now it’s almost here.

The problem is that 2022 is also the year when the cost of living is rising higher and higher. It seems like every time you go shopping, yet more prices have increased. Everyone is having to count the cost. So if you are going on holiday, you are likely to be looking at ways to save money whilst still having a great time.

1.        Decide to travel light

You’ve probably recently seen images of mountains of baggage waiting at airports, and heard stories of bags going missing and some never being found. Which is yet another good reason for travelling light this year. If you can manage with a small cabin case rather than checking baggage in, this can work well for three main reasons:

• You eliminate the risk of lost baggage;
• There are no delays at airports waiting for baggage to come off the plane;
• You save money by avoiding being charged for excess baggage.

So why not give it a try? Think carefully about the last holiday you had and how many clothes you took but didn’t wear. Our recent article Top Tips for travelling light this summer has some helpful advice about how to take only what you really need.

2.        Don’t overspend before you go

If you decide to travel light this can also help you to save money by not buying extra things before you go. You most probably already have lots of holiday clothes that you’ve never worn. So the best thing to do is just take a few essentials. And if you do find you need anything else when you get there, it’s often cheaper to buy there than here.

The same applies to toiletries. Rather than spend a small fortune on new bottles of everything, just take what you already have and top up as needed when you get there.

3.        Offer your home as a free holiday

Why not give someone else the chance of a holiday whilst you’re away on yours? Wherever you live, there may be someone you know who would like a change of scenery and would welcome the opportunity to stay in your home for a while.

This can also help you out enormously if you have pets at home, or other domestic responsibilities. You have the peace of mind of knowing that your home and pets are being looked after, without the expense of kennels or pet sitters. And someone else has a week or two away in a different environment. Win-win.

4.        Get your money sorted

Check out the money situation at your destination before you go. Don’t leave this till the last minute, because then you might panic buy and not get the best deal.

It can generally be better to get your holiday currency before you go, but if you are going to a holiday destination with a good banking system, you may be able to get a better deal there if you go to a reputable bank or other currency exchange. Also check with your destination if there are any currency restrictions which could limit the amount of currency you are allowed to bring in or take out of the country.

Also decide on the best combination of credit cards and cash that you are going to use. Credit cards can offer some protection on purchases and also help to spread the cost of your holiday, but you need to keep a careful eye on what you are spending: remember you will need to pay it back.

5.        Find the best phone deal

Take the time to check your phone tariff before you go on holiday. Check what is and is not included, so that you know what rates you will be charged for calls, texts and data when you are abroad. If in doubt, contact your phone provider: they may be able to offer you a travel bundle that can help to keep costs down

Also search for the most up to date advice for your model of phone on which settings to enable and disable – for example data roaming – so that you do not run up any unexpected charges. It is usually cheaper to use local WiFi than your phone network, but check that this is free and you won’t end up with a hefty bill.

6.        Plan your airport transport

This is another thing not to leave till the last minute. Whether you want to take public transport, drive and park, or take a taxi, it always seems to cost much more than you hope. And it will be much easier if you are not burdened with lots of cases: another reason for travelling light!

The best option is to try and find a good friend who is prepared to give you a lift. They can drop you right at the door, and remove all the hassle from the situation. As long as you are prepared to do likewise for them, this is definitely the best option to try and get sorted.

7.        Head for the airport lounge

It’s frightening the amount of money you can spend in an airport. Especially if you get there very early to make sure you have time to check in and cope with any unexpected delays. You will spend money not just on food and drink, but there are also all the airport shops, with supposed bargains to be had.

One way to save money can be to book an airport lounge in advance. This comes as a bit of a surprise, but is worth looking into. Prices start at around £25-35 per person and you can usually check into the lounge 2-3 hours in advance of your flight. The price typically includes food and drink (terms vary), wifi, newspapers and showers. Check out some examples at Travel Supermarket.

8.        Do what the locals do

Once you get to your destination, you can save money by doing what the locals do. Instead of spending high prices on day trips organised by holiday reps, why not use local buses instead to visit places of interest.

Also if you want to go somewhere to eat or drink, don’t just follow the tourist crowd to overpriced bars and restaurants. Try to get off the beaten track and find smaller cafes, restaurants and bars favoured by locals. You are likely to get better quality food and a more authentic atmosphere – all at considerably lower prices.

9.        Eat well for less

We have just been looking at finding good places to eat locally, but you can also save money on food by making the most of your hotel food package. If you are on an all-inclusive package, then you should not need to spend any more money on food at all. But even if you are on either bed and breakfast or half board, you can fill up on the food that is there to reduce what you need to spend away from the hotel.

If you do eat out in a tourist destination, you will probably find that lunchtime is cheaper than the evening, with set menus providing better value. If you are on a bed and breakfast package, then time lunch as late as possible so that you don’t also need a big meal in the evening.

10.    Always fight for a cheaper price

From the very start of your holiday process, look for ways to save money. Always fight for the best price. If you do this, by the time you arrive at your holiday destination, you can be reassured you have found the best deals on:

• Flights and hotels
• Currency exchange
• Phone bundle
• Airport transport and lounge
• Day trips

You may also be able to save money on holiday shopping by haggling for the goods that you want. In some countries this is the expected way of doing things, so don’t accept the first price you are offered. Even if you are not sure, it is always worth a try; there’s nothing to lose. If you’re not happy with a price, you can always walk away.

We hope that this article has been helpful in suggesting ways that you can spend less on your holiday and save money.

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