Holidays on a Budget

You may love the idea of taking a break but not have much spare cash. This may put you off even looking for holiday options. You have other treats to spend your money on, such as nights out or day trips with the kids. Your budget will only stretch so far.

The good news is that there are such things as holidays on a budget. You can book a cheap break, if you know how. Look at these five tips to help you get a holiday you can afford.

Book at the right time

One of the easiest ways for you to book a holiday on a budget is to choose the right time to book. You should look for bargains as early as possible. It helps if you can be flexible with the dates when you can travel. This gives you the best chance to get great deals.

Alternatively, you can book a trip last minute. Travel companies often have rooms or flights to get rid of that you can get a great price on. Be prepared to negotiate, to get the best possible price.

Travel outside of peak times

If you have kids, it may seem as though you do not have much option about when to travel. There are laws about taking kids out of school during term time that can be restrictive. However, this does not mean that you have to travel during the summer months. You can choose to travel during autumn half term instead, when holiday prices are not as high.

Choose a backpacking break

Backpacking can be an excellent way to travel on a budget. You can carry the basic essentials with you. This includes:

5 pairs of socks.
5 sets of underwear.
2-4 tops.
3-4 pairs of trousers/skirts.
A sweater or two.
1-2 pairs of extra shoes.
Rain jacket.
Fleece.
Flashlight.
Smaller backpack for daily sightseeing trips.
Basic first aid items.
Guidebook.

If you decide to go backpacking, you can book hostels ahead, so that you have somewhere to stay. You should also think about booking travel as soon as you can. For instance, if you are travelling across Europe, you can buy a European rail pass.

Think about flying indirect

If you want to get cheap flights to travel abroad, flying indirect can help. It will take you longer to get to your final destination but you could make significant savings. It helps if you think of the flight as part of the experience. Sit back and enjoy the journey, and appreciate the relaxation time.

It also helps if you plan ahead; to make best use of time when you get to your destination. Find public transport to help you get from the airport to your accommodation. You should also plan your activities, at least for the first couple of days. This means that you can start exploring as soon as you arrive. You do not suffer for having taken more time to get to your destination.

Consider Airbnb accommodation

Holiday accommodation can be expensive, if you do not choose carefully. However, you can get cheap holiday accommodation, if you look at alternatives. This can include Airbnb accommodation which is more affordable than many hotels.

There are other advantages to using Airbnb accommodation. You get to stay in areas of a city or town which are not full of tourists. You also get to mix with local people and experience their culture. These advantages can make your holiday more memorable, as well as being more affordable.

Be wary of comparison sites

You can get holiday bargains by using a comparison sight, but you need to be careful. Some holiday firms and flight providers make prices seem low by removing all extras. You may find a low priced holiday only to see that the cost is just for the basics.

You end up having to pay large amounts of money for extras such as additional luggage on flights and holiday insurance. You need to add up all costs involved, to find our how much of a bargain you are actually getting.

You can get holidays on a budget, if you make your choices carefully. Book your break at the right time, and look for alternative travel and accommodation options. Remember to take into account all costs, so that you know exactly what you are spending. This means that you protect your budget and get the great holiday that you need.

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