October half term is fast approaching, and you’ll probably want to take advantage of the time off school and travel somewhere nice with your family. If you’re like us, you’ll probably want to save some money for you upcoming holiday, so why not use some of these tips to help you have a great holiday on a budget.
Plan Ahead
October is the off season for travel in Europe, so it’s the perfect time to book flights and hotels, but there are ways you could make your booking even cheaper.
Make sure you ring round different hotels before you book. There are websites that are meant to find you the best deal, but often times you can get an even better one by calling the hotel directly. Also, try to book your holiday as early as possible. Flight and hotel reservations are usually cheaper the further from the travel date that you book, so don’t be afraid to spend a little less now so that you can avoid paying the higher price tag later on. If you don’t have the money saved up just yet but see a great deal, try getting a loan. For more information about loans check out this website. If you use them wisely, loans can often help you save money, because you’ll be able to book holidays when they’re at their cheapest instead of waiting to save up and spending more later.
Pack Light
How can packing light help to save you money? The lighter the bag, the less the airport chargers will be. Most places let you take one carry-on for free so you can save money and avoid the pain of having to carry loads of bags with you through the airport, or even worse having your luggage go missing. It does take a bit more planning to pack light, so make sure you’re staying up-to-date with the weather forecast at your destination before you go, and choose your clothing appropriately. I’ve managed to travel to both Barcelona and Moscow with just hand luggage allowance and it was surprisingly fine!
Make sure you bring some laundry powder and take a look at this guide to help you wash clothing during travel.
Consider Food Shopping
Traveling is a great time to enjoy local cuisines and learn a bit about the food culture in a new place, but eating out is expensive and it’s not something you may be able to afford every day of your holiday, especially if you’re on a budget. Plan to eat in for at least one meal a day, it might sound boring but exploring a supermarket in an unknown part of the world can be just as fun as trying a new restaurant. Often times, there will be unique fruits or veggies that you may not have tried before. If you’re a culinary master, take some of those unknown ingredients and try making a dish with them. If not, look up a few local recipes that might be harder or more expensive to make from home, and cook them up for a purse-friendly price. Shopping for produce can be just as fun of a cultural experience as eating at local restaurants can!
So there you have it! Travelling on a budget doesn’t have to be restrained or stressful as long as you can make the most of your situation and use your money as wisely as possible. Get out there and explore!
*Collaborative post
I’d also say, if you are going out to eat, either do lunch or an early dinner. That seems to be when the cheapest prices are found. And with children, you’re not going to want to be up too late either.