Every year, millions of people go on their holidays, and spend billions. While over the last few years British tourists have been spending a little less, overall the fact remains; people spend a lot on their holidays.
Imagine you discover how to budget the perfect holiday, the kind that lets you go on two or even three minibreaks or more a year? Read on for some of tips on making your yearly holiday budget go a lot further and if you need some inspiration for your next holiday, check out these great travel destinations.
When Budgeting, Prioritise
This is the single most important thing when it comes to planning a getaway that meets your needs perfectly. If you’re keeping to a strict budget during your getaway, then the best thing you can do is prioritise to the nth degree.
Think about what you want to get out of your vacation. Is relaxation your thing? Take some money out of the food section and dump it in the spa bit. Not that into food? Move the funds to somewhere that matters.
If you want a quality spa experience, don’t go for the cheapest option out there, go for the one that best meets your needs, in the location you love. Prioritising is all about making sure that the stuff you care about is amazing, and the stuff you don’t is budget. Because there’s absolutely no point wasting money on things that really aren’t that important to your enjoyment, when you could be really boosting the holiday elsewhere.
Travel Tips
Remember, travel can be one of the major expenses of any getaway, even if you’re staying in the UK. Here’s some tips to keep costs down.
- Keep it Local – A great thing to bear in mind is that if you don’t waste money going somewhere far away, you’re going to save money. Obvious, right? Keeping your minibreak within four-six hours of home means you’re going to be able to spend more on other fun stuff.
- Don’t Discount Public Transport – Public transport can be expensive, cramped, smelly and a thousand other negative adjectives, but it can also be cheap, quick, easy and painless, especially if you luck out on where you’re going being well connected. Bear in mind that there are a lot of promotions and money saving deals on trains and buses out there.
- Be Flexible – This one applies a little more to flying than anything else, but by staying flexible, you can book last minute and get some really amazing, cheap flights. This is especially useful when travelling within the UK and wanting to dodge having to spend over six hours in a car or bus, and potentially saving money on fuel.
- Avoid Unnecessary Expenditures – This ones pretty obvious too, but when you waste money on multiple £8 service station sandwiches, it all builds up pretty quickly. When we’re travelling, be it by car, train or plane, we’re essentially corralled through a narrow hallway of super expensive cafes, restaurants and shops. Pack a lunch, take a flask of coffee, and don’t spend £35 on the most disappointing lunch of your life.
Locations
Avoid expensive areas, like capital cities, and basically the south of the UK in general. If you want to go cheaper, take the road less travelled, and if you do some research, you’re sure to find a brand new favourite holiday location. There are tons of quiet, beautiful places to explore on the cheap.
Hotels and Accommodation
Much like with travel, one of the most important things you can do when it comes to hotels is look at the deals available online. With so many voucher and coupon websites out there chances are you’re going to find somewhere beautiful, luxurious, and at an absolute steal of a price.
