How to Save Money on Holidays
· 4 min read
Holidays have a way of costing more than planned. The headline price looks reasonable, then come the bags, the transfers, the snacks at the airport and the meals eaten wherever happens to be nearest. Saving money is rarely about one clever trick. It is about many small decisions made in a calmer order: deciding what matters most to you, booking around it and refusing to pay for things you do not actually want.
Start with what you value
Before searching for anything, agree on the one or two things that would make the trip feel worthwhile. For some people it is a sea view; for others it is good food, a particular gallery or simply a quiet room. Once you know that, you can spend properly on the priority and economise everywhere else without feeling deprived. A written budget, even a rough one, keeps everyone honest when temptations appear halfway through the week.
Be flexible with dates
- Travel outside school holidays if your circumstances allow. Popular weeks are busier and usually more expensive.
- Consider shoulder seasons, the weeks either side of the peak, when weather is often still pleasant and places feel less crowded.
- Compare days of the week. Flights and rail fares can vary depending on the day you leave and return, so check a few combinations.
- Set price alerts on comparison sites rather than checking manually every evening.
Think carefully about where you stay
Accommodation is often the largest single cost, so it rewards a little research. Compare a hotel with a self-catering flat, a guesthouse or a holiday park; the right choice depends on how much time you will spend indoors and whether a kitchen would save you eating out. A slightly less central location with good public transport can cost less without making the trip harder.
Read what is included. Breakfast, parking, Wi-Fi and late check-out can all change the real value of a room. Loyalty schemes can help regular travellers, though they are not right for everyone; our comparison of airline and hotel loyalty programmes looks at which tends to suit which kind of traveller.
Watch for fees that add up
| Where it hides | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Hold luggage | Pack for cabin bags only where possible, and check size limits before you fly |
| Seat selection | Decide whether sitting together is worth paying for on short flights |
| Airport parking and transfers | Book in advance or compare public transport options |
| Card charges abroad | Check your bank's foreign transaction terms and pay in the local currency |
| Phone roaming | Review your tariff before leaving and download maps for offline use |
| Resort or tourist taxes | Read the booking terms so the total does not surprise you |
When a card machine abroad asks whether to pay in pounds or the local currency, choosing the local currency usually avoids a less favourable conversion applied on the spot. Your own bank's terms decide the rest, so a quick check before you go is worthwhile.
Pack light and pack smart
Travelling with hand luggage only can save money as well as time at the airport. It also forces useful decisions: one pair of shoes on your feet and one in the bag, clothes that mix and match, and toiletries decanted into small bottles. Our guide on how to pack for a weekend trip shares a simple system that scales up to a longer holiday too. A refillable water bottle and a few snacks in your bag also spare you from airport and station prices.
Eat like a local
- Avoid restaurants on the busiest squares, where you often pay for the view.
- Walk a couple of streets away and look for places full of residents.
- Make lunch your main meal out if set lunch menus are common where you are going.
- Pick up picnic food from a market or supermarket for days spent outdoors.
- If you have a kitchen, cook breakfast and the occasional dinner yourself.
Free and low-cost things to do
Many towns have parks, coastal paths, markets, churches and museums that cost little or nothing to enjoy. Tourist information offices are good at pointing out walking routes and free events. City passes can be worthwhile, but only if you would genuinely visit enough of the included attractions; add up what you would actually use before buying one.
Protect the trip you have paid for
Saving money also means avoiding expensive surprises. Read cancellation terms before booking, consider suitable travel insurance and keep digital copies of tickets and documents. For trips within Europe, check what health cover documents apply to you and pack them. These steps cost a little time now and can prevent a large bill later.
A simple checklist
- Agree what matters most and set a rough budget.
- Compare dates, including the shoulder season.
- Weigh up different kinds of accommodation and what each includes.
- List every likely fee and decide which ones you can avoid.
- Pack light and bring snacks and a water bottle.
- Plan a few free days alongside the paid highlights.
None of these steps makes a holiday feel cheap. They simply shift your money towards the moments you will remember, which is the whole point of going away.
