If you are worried about money and afraid it might not stretch to a good holiday, then think again. A little initiative can ensure an enjoyable vacation that won’t break the bank. A ‘staycation’, holidaying at home, could give your family a chance to visit local attractions, and, for more expensive excursions, money-off vouchers can usually be found on websites, or may be claimed through store loyalty cards.
Booking early is key to getting the cheapest flights, and you might consider travelling during more unsocial hours. Many pounds can be saved by early morning or night flights, and if you can save for air miles at a particular supermarket, so much the better. As most airlines charge for hold baggage, perhaps you could make do with a carry on bag, or, if travelling with a family, use fewer suitcases, particularly new lightweight versions.
Those are best booked early, so start your holiday planning in plenty of time. If you can cope with an early start or even a night flight, travelling at these less popular off-peak times can save a lot of money. Take snacks to avoid overpriced in-flight meals, and you can also save on expensive hold baggage charges, either by using a decent-sized carry-on bag, or by sharing luggage. The new lightweight cases enable you to take more, with no risk of excess payment.
When you are hiring a car abroad, check out prices, terms and conditions before you book. A really cheap deal could result in lengthy queues on arrival, and perhaps unforeseen costs, like extra insurance. If your mileage will be low, avoid companies which insist you return the car with an empty tank, as you may not use it all, and will have paid their fuel price rather than a garage’s.
Hiring a car abroad can cause problems, and the cheapest offer may have hidden drawbacks. Others will be attracted, so you can face immense queues to sort out paperwork at the airport before you get the keys. Various scams operate too; insurance will be covered in your agreement, but some companies will demand extra payments. Beware too of hire firms which insist on the petrol tank being empty on return. You may not use a full tank, so are paying the company’s inflated rate, with no allowance for unused fuel.
Find cheap holiday deals online now.