With holiday season just around the corner and rising costs continuing to put pressure on household finances, many of us will be looking to enjoy a getaway that won’t break the bank. A new study from cashback site, TopCashback, reveals that six in ten Brits say the cost of living crisis will impact their summer holiday plans this year.
Adam Bullock, UK Director at TopCashback, said: “Our research shows that holidays continue to be a priority for many Brits, with 70 per cent of the 2,000 respondents saying they will be going away this summer.
“At the same time, as budgets get tighter, holidaymakers are determined to offset costs. Almost two thirds will be making cutbacks, like choosing cheaper accommodation or skipping meals out.
“To help holiday goers make their money go further, our team of money-saving experts have rounded up their best tips for travelling on a budget – be that a staycation or a trip abroad.”
Find the best value destinations
Checking which destinations make your pound go the furthest is key to booking a holiday that’s great value for money.
To get a clear picture of what you’ll get for your money – find out how strong sterling is against the local currency, then check how much things like meals and activities cost in that destination.
In Turkey for example, 1 GBP currently gets you well over 25 Turkish Lira. With a meal out (at an inexpensive restaurant) costing around 100 Turkish Lira (4 GBP), your budget can go a long way.
Pro tip: To check the cost of everyday expenses in different countries, use Numbeo.com – a cost of living database allowing you to compare the price of goods and services.
Think outside the box with accommodation
To minimise your accommodation costs – or better yet find a place where you can stay for free – consider switching things up and look at alternatives.
House swapping can be a fun and free option, providing you with a home away from home. The principle is that you let someone holiday at your house whilst you stay at theirs at no cost.
There are a range of well-established services such as Love Home Swap that can help facilitate a house swap, but it’s also worth checking if you already know anyone living in the area you’d like to visit.
Pro tip: Love pets as well as travel? Check out Trusted Housesitters, a platform that connects pet owners with sitters – you get free accommodation in exchange for caring for someone’s furry friend.
Consider all modes of transportation
Unless your holiday destination is a million miles away, don’t assume that flying is the cheapest and easiest option to get there.
If you are planning to holiday in Europe, alternatives like taking the ferry could save you hundreds. It’s a far more relaxing journey too as there’s more flexibility and no restrictions on luggage.
For those planning a staycation, make sure to take full advantage of money-saving schemes offered by National Rail if you plan to travel by train – you could be eligible to save a third or more.
Pro tip: If you’ll be travelling the UK by car, PetrolPrices.com is a really nifty website that searches for and compares local petrol stations to provide you with the cheapest price.
Get some of what you spend back with cashback sites
Whether you’re planning a UK break, or jetting off abroad, using cashback sites can help you recoup a percentage of the money you spend when booking your holiday.
TopCashback.co.uk for example offers money back on everything from accommodation and flights to travel insurance, airport parking, lounges, car rentals and even travel money.
Once you’ve signed up to a site and start using it, you’ll see cashback adding up in your account, which you can then withdraw and use whilst on holiday, or put it towards your next trip.
Pro tip: To make sure you don’t miss out on great deals, download TopCashback’s browser extension which will automatically notify you of any cashback available when you are browsing online.
Go all in with a package holiday
If you are after the classic holiday experience, package holidays can provide great savings by covering the cost of travel, accommodation and meal plans, upfront.
Opting for an all-inclusive package means you don’t need to spend a penny during your time away, so it’s much easier to stick to your allocated holiday budget.
It can also be a great way to reduce the stress of booking your trip as the travel agency will take care of it all. Just ensure that your holiday is ATOL protected.
Pro tip: To guarantee you are getting the best price, always research if you can get it cheaper elsewhere. Most travel agencies will price match to ensure you are getting the best value for money.
