Booking that well-deserved family vacation doesn’t have to break the bank! Check out our top money-saving hacks to get you the best deal possible for less…
Free Child Places
Certain suppliers, such as Jet2holidays and TUI, offer millions of free child places each year! This means when booking for two full-paying passengers you can get one child place at absolutely no extra cost, a bargain no one could turn down right?
Flights, transfers, and their place in the hotel are all taken care of meaning you can make your money go further while also creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Consider Your Location
It’s important to be open-minded when choosing your destination! The more flexible you are, the more options you have, meaning your chances of finding the best deal possible skyrocket!
Typically, long-haul destinations will cost more than travelling somewhere a bit closer to home. Europe houses plenty of amazing family-friendly destinations at a reasonable price whether you’re looking for a weekend city break or two-weeks relaxing beachside.
Places such as Majorca, Turkey, Portugal, and Crete are known for their budget-friendly options so are well worth considering when booking up. You may also find lesser-known towns are cheaper than the big-name cities while still offering you all the amenities you could dream of!
Think About How You Book
Booking in advance can sometimes reward you with a better deal, especially if you’re looking to utilise the benefits of a payment plan.
For many, the option to pay a smaller sum each month seems a lot more manageable than paying the whole cost upfront. This may not be an option on all last-minute deals due to the limited amount of time to pay the holiday off so make sure to be on the ball with your planning if this is the route you want to go down!
However, if this isn’t something you’re too bothered about then last-minute deals are always worth looking out for!
Although it’s worth considering that during popular periods such as school holidays, they may be harder to find due to high demand. If you do see a good deal, make sure to snatch it up quickly as it may not stick around for long.
Often last-minute bookings will only have a limited number of spaces left and you don’t want to be disappointed!
Accommodation
Depending on your needs, it’s important to think about what kind of accommodation will work best for you and your family while also allowing you to get the most for your money.
If you’re travelling in a large party, then it might be more cost-effective to hire out a villa rather than paying for many individual hotel rooms. This will also allow you to cut costs on eating out as most villas provide a fully equipped kitchen so with a quick trip to the supermarket you can make a cheap but delicious meal for the whole family.
You should also consider the location of your accommodation. Although staying outside the resort centre may be a bit cheaper, it’s important to take into account any travel costs. If you know you won’t be travelling far and can easily hop on public transport or even walk to the destinations you will be frequenting, then this might work out as a better deal for you.
However, if staying on the outskirts means you will be travelling a lot and therefore need to factor in extra costs to accommodate this, you may be better off going for something a little more central.
What Board is Best?
Everyone spends their time on holiday differently so it’s important to remember what works for one family may not work for another.
All-inclusive packages can often come with a bit of a heftier price tag however they are good for ensuring you stay within budget. As you have prepaid for the majority of your food and drink, extra spending money can be kept to a minimum meaning no surprise costs if local restaurants turn out to be a bit pricier than expected. If you’re a real foodie who loves to be wined and dined, then this may just be the option for you as you can keep the pina coladas flowing and your plate piled high at a reasonable price.
Although other board options may better suit your needs if you don’t think you’ll get your money’s worth out of all-inclusive.
If you prefer to spend your holiday out and about exploring new places and taste-testing different restaurants, half-board or even self-catering may be the better choice for you. This allows you a bit more freedom without feeling like you have to be tied down to only what the hotel offers. In some cases, this may even be cheaper depending on the price of local restaurants and bars.
If you choose to go self-catering, then you should be equipped with a kitchenette that allows you to prepare your own meals should you wish to do so. This is a great budget-friendly way to enjoy your holiday and could save you a lot of money!
Think about the 'Little Things'
Think about how you could cut down on extra costs that often come along with booking a holiday. If possible, check out as many different airports as possible before hitting that ‘confirm booking’ button as your local airport may not always offer the best price for your desired destination. This may mean you need to consider the potential cost of travel to the airport or parking however you may still find this works out cheaper.
Start getting prepared as far in advance as possible, especially when it comes to essential documents. Every passenger will need an in-date passport to travel so make sure you check this ahead of time! Ordering a new passport can be pricey at the best of times however the later you leave it, the more it will cost you. Typically, a new passport will take around 10 weeks to be delivered meaning if you need it in a shorter time span you will have to pay more for a fast-tracked service, an extra cost we could all do without.
While abroad there may be certain attractions you want to visit and when booking for the full family this can end up costing more than you bargained for. Make sure to check for deals, discounts or even family tickets to help you save a few pounds. Even better, see what free options are around, there’s often plenty! Enjoy a day by the beach, head on a scenic walking route, or if you’re lucky there may be free museums or exhibitions where you can spend your day exploring.
Where possible, try to avoid using private taxis or renting a car if it isn’t essential. Instead try to use public transport to get around during your travels to help cut costs.
Finally, try to avoid any tourist traps. You’ll often find restaurants or attractions in tourist hotspots cost a lot more due to demand. You can avoid this by booking any attractions ahead of time, giving you the option to shop around more and find a better deal. When looking for restaurants that the whole family will like, try heading to the outskirts of the main centre. These quaint local restaurants are likely to offer cheaper prices (and fewer queues) while maintaining a high dining experience.