From self-catering to deals on attractions, we share tips for how to plan a budget holiday to beat the back-the-work blues — plus find out how to get our Holidays From £9.50
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
PLANNING a holiday now is the perfect way to beat the back-to-work blues.
But you don’t have to go overseas to get your fix.
Staycation searches and bookings for the UK were up almost 25 per cent last year compared to 2016, says travel marketing firm Sojern.
Here we ask EMMA COLTHURST, of , for her tips on how to enjoy a UK break on a budget.
- Try to avoid peak times. Clearly, if you do not have school-age children, travelling outside school holidays will work out a lot cheaper. But also try to avoid bank holidays and look for out-of-season bargains during the autumn and winter months. And dodge times where there is a big event at your destination.
- Self-cater. Opting for this rather than staying in a B&B or hotel can save you loads of money. Websites worth checking out for deals include , and .
- Look for deals on days out and at attractions. Loyalty cards, online money saving and sites such as and can all help.
- Eat out for less. Early-bird menus are common at the start of the week when business is slowest. Also try to make time to look online for money-off vouchers for food.
- Beware obvious tourist traps. Restaurants in central squares and main streets can cost double and the food may not be as good, so it is always best exploring the quieter corners of the town or city you are visiting.
- Do some free stuff. To have a good time, you do not have to pay a fortune to enter attractions. Find out where the best beaches and country walks are and which attractions and museums are free.
- Save on fuel. Before you go away, fill up at the cheapest place in your home town — which is often a supermarket — because fuel on the motorways tends to be pricier. Use to find the cheapest pump near you.
Reader's Tip
ALEXANDRA PARITZKY, from Brighton, says: “If you live in a nice area and are prepared to let strangers borrow your house, a home swap is a great way to save on accommodation costs.
"Try Home Exchange or HomeLink.”
- SEND your tips to [email protected] and get 28 codes, worth £5, if yours is printed. Please include your name and town.
Save Big
TESCO has nearly 50 per cent off The-Lite Chicane large suitcase.
Eight silent-glide wheels and retractable handle.
WAS: £75
NOW: £35
SAVE: £40
Save Small
WILKO’s Slimline lunchbox, with four compartments and one small bottle, comes in three different colours.
WAS: £5
NOW: £3.75
SAVE: £1.25
- Prices correct at time of press. Deals/offers subject to availability.
2 days to go until The Sun's Holidays From £9.50
THERE are just two days to go until the return of everyone’s favourite Holidays From £9.50.
If you haven’t been on one of our brilliant bargain breaks, what are you waiting for? We have sent millions of happy Sun readers on holiday over the years and YOU can be next.
We have new locations, more dates and more availability than ever.
There are an incredible 326 holiday parks to choose from across the UK and Europe. Holidays are available between February and November 2018.
Book a three-night weekend break or go Monday to Friday to make the most of our special midweek offer and get four nights for the price of three.
Plus, this year we are making it even easier to bag a bargain break via Sun Savers. Join our great savings club by downloading the app or registering at .
Then collect NINE Sun Savers codes on consecutive days from Saturday to unlock booking on Sunday, January 14.
That means you get first dibs on all the best parks and dates.
Download the Sun Savers app today or visit to register. Already a member? Update your app in the App Store.
The best holidays go quickly, so make sure you get in there early!
If you don’t join Sun Savers, you can still collect tokens or codewords from the paper but you will need TEN and will not have access to early booking.
Pick up your copy of The Sun on Saturday for your first code, as well as a 52-page brochure with park listings.
Here are ten reasons to try a brilliant holiday from £9.50.
- We have been sending Sun readers on holiday for 28 years.
- We’re the biggest operator of short breaks in the UK.
- Choose from 326 great parks.
- Pay-only-£9.50 dates at 293 parks.
- Stay in the UK or head to parks in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Holland, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Croatia.
- More than 48 million Sun readers have holidayed with us. That many people can’t be wrong!
- Book online for instant confirmation.
- We guarantee the best price on your holiday or will refund the difference plus £10 (T&Cs at ).
- We have something for everyone, from spas and golf courses to live entertainment and amusements.
- With dates from February to November, you are sure to find a holiday to suit you.
- Price per person based on four sharing. Subject to availability. Code collect. T&Cs and date restrictions apply.
How to make the most of our deals
HERE are ten top tips for finding your perfect Sun holiday.
- Book a midweek break and enjoy four fantastic nights for the price of three.
- Go midweek, off peak, for the most amazing value of all.
- If possible, avoid weekends. Demand is highest at weekends and so are prices.
- Avoid school holidays if you can, as these are always the most popular dates of all.
- Always select FOUR parks and FOUR dates.
- Choose areas with lots of amazing parks, such as East Anglia and Cornwall.
- Tick the “any park in area” box to virtually guarantee a holiday on your chosen dates.
- Go early in the year, as spring dates offer the most incredible choice and value for money.
- Choose “NO EXTRAS” dates or dates with free passes. There is loads of availability and the most amazing deals.
- Get early access and book online with Sun Savers.
Fancy a free fiver?
YOU can get FREE cash with super Sun Savers just for buying your favourite paper.
Our brilliant new rewards club will pay back our most loyal readers.
Just pick up the paper each day to collect your Sun Savers codes and we will GIVE YOU £5 when you have collected 28.
This isn’t a one-off and there is no limit to how much cash you can save.
For every 28 codes you enter, we will give you a fiver. So over the course of a year, that could add up to £65.
We are keeping it super-simple. You don’t have to enter codes from consecutive days, so don’t worry if you forget a day or two.
Download our easy Sun Savers app and quickly scan your code using your smartphone. Or go online and enter your code at .
What is Sun Savers? Here's everything you need to know about our new rewards club
MOST READ IN MONEY
To get you on your way, join today and we will put a bonus £1 in your Sun Savers wallet tomorrow. And the good news doesn’t stop with free cash.
With Sun Savers, we give you the best hacks, deals and tips to save money every single day.
TO JOIN: Don’t worry, folks — joining takes just 30 seconds, in three steps.
All we’ll ask of you is your name, your date of birth and an email address to get you on the way to your first crisp fiver.
You can choose to save or cash out straight to your bank account or instantly with Paypal.
Don’t delay — join Sun Savers now!