Travel expert’s tips to find cheap holidays – including booking early
The weather is getting dreary and plenty of us are dreaming of our next holiday in the sun.
However, despite mulling over the many gorgeous destinations we could choose most of us also have to consider the cost.
After all, we are in a cost of living crisis and millions of Brits won't have the same cash they usually do to spend on a getaway.
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Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep the cost of your holiday down.
The good news is that there are plenty of deals available right now – for example Wizz Air is offering flights to Prague for just £21.99, while Travelodge is selling one million rooms in the UK from just £8.50 per person.
For those who still want to plan a bigger holiday, Iona Wark, Senior Holiday Product Manager at loveholidays, has shared some useful insider tips on how to get more for your money…
Book at the right time to lock-in the best prices
Booking early means you can secure the exact dates you want and, while airfares are dependent on a range of factors, they are often cheaper when you book in advance as prices tend to go up as seats fill.
For the ultra organised among us, airlines have already started releasing their 2024 flight schedules and, as a result, loveholidays has hundreds of summer 2024 deals available to book now.
That said, if you’re feeling spontaneous and want to book a last-minute break, it’s still possible to find late deals if you’re open to when and where you travel.
Consider different destinations
With so much of the world to discover, being open to trying different destinations could help you save considerable amounts of money.
Malta, Portugal and Turkey have been unveiled as some of the best priced package holidays for winter sun.
Some destinations may be cheap, but make sure you also factor in other costs such as eating out, sightseeing and other expenses like travelling!
Search for deals based on facilities, board-basis, budget, TripAdvisor rating and even the type of swimming pool, and destinations you’ve likely never considered before await you.
Opt for all-inclusive
All-inclusive deals are another potential way of helping you to stay in control of your holiday costs.
With all your snacks, meals and beverages included in the price you pay upfront, you can worry less while you’re away and focus on enjoying your holiday.
Many hotels and resorts also offer half-board, which factors your breakfast and dinner into your accommodation price.
This is a great option as it means the majority of your meals are paid for upfront but also gives you the flexibility to venture out to eat when you fancy it.
Be flexible on dates
If you have school-age children, you're most likely tied to term time; but you can still find deals for the summer.
For example, loveholidays’ data shows that late August can be almost 12% cheaper than July, while flying mid-week is also likely to help cut costs.
For those with more flexibility on dates, the difference between peak and off-peak prices can be substantial.
If you’re planning a summer getaway for example, waiting until the kids are back at school can give you a lot more choice at lower prices.
Look out for the best deals
No matter when you’re booking your break, there are always deals to be had.
Whether it be the airport you fly from (smaller, regional airports tend to be cheaper) or simply the provider/website you book with, keep your eyes peeled for the best prices.
If you book with loveholidays and find your holiday available at a lower price on any other UK-based travel website, within 24 hours of your booking being confirmed, they will refund the difference to you.
Set yourself a holiday budget
If you’re worried about going overboard on spending, setting yourself a budget before going away gives you a good idea of what you have to play with.
Make sure you’ve accounted for all of your holiday-related expenses in your budget; things like tourist tax and visas for certain destinations can catch you off guard, while transport costs also add up.
If you plan to drive to the airport, parking gets more expensive closer to your departure date, so aim to book this at the same time as your flights and accommodation.
When it comes to getting around while you’re away, consider booking a shuttle or shared transfer to and from the airport to help keep costs down.
For a choice of more than 35,000 hotels and 99 per cent of all flights, visit loveholidays.com.
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