How to save thousands on your holiday abroad this year as travel expected to boom
BRITS may be going on their first holiday abroad for the first time in years this summer, after months of travel disruptions and Covid rules.
However, as demand soars, this could also mean prices will go up - so we've rounded up some of the best ways to save money on your next holiday.
Choose alternative tourist destinations
While it can be tempting to go to a popular holiday hotspot, choosing a different city in the country could save you lots.
Ryanair is known for operating flights to lesser-known destinations rather than the main tourist areas.
Instead of Paris, opt for Toulouse, with Ryanair flights from £7.49, and skip Barcelona for Seville with flights for under a tenner.
Forget Venice or Rome and choose Verona with flights for £7.99.
Be flexible with flights
Flights will cost more if they are high in demand, with popular times often being at the weekend.
However, flying mid-week can often be a much cheaper option.
We found return flights from London to Tenerife for just £29 if flying on a Wednesday, but this jumped to £236 on the Saturday - costing a family of four £828 extra.
Similar price changes for London to Corfu saw huge savings, with it costing £82 return on a Wednesday, which jumped to £152 on Saturday.
Not only that but the time of day can also make a difference, with very early or very late lights often cheaper.
Opting for early flights is also more likely to get you on holiday on time, as they are delayed the least.
Opt for all-inclusive
While all-inclusive holidays are more expensive than booking flights and a hotel, they can save you money.
With all meals included and some even including booze, this means you don't have to factor in extra costs on holiday.
Instead, you can pay for the whole deal before you go and not worry about spending anything when you are there.
Not only that, but all-inclusive holidays offer extra cancellation protection as they are ATOL protected - meaning you are covered for any last-minute Covid changes.
We've found some amazingly cheap all-inclusive package holiday deals to Greece, Spain and Turkey, starting from just £155pp.
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Check your travel documents
Travelling abroad right now requires lots of documents and checks.
One new change this year is the rules for passports if heading to Europe.
Brits must have at least three months left on them, and they cannot be more than 10 years old.
A new passport costs £75.50 but if you need to fast track it will set you back £142.
Make sure you have travel insurance to protect you from any extra Covid bills or medical bills, as well as check your GHIC is in date.
The same goes for any Covid tests you might need to enter a country, so you don't have to fork out hundreds for a last-minute test with fast results.
Skip the checked luggage
While it might be tempting to pack all of your favourite outfits and toiletries, it could add hundreds onto your travel costs.
Many budget airlines charge up to £60 for bags, so travelling with hand luggage is advised to save families as much as £240.
Thankfully travellers have revealed the clever ways to take more with you, without paying for it, including putting things in a pillowcase or travel pillow.
And one mum revealed how she packed a week's worth of stuff, for a family of four, in one suitcase.
Avoid shopping at the airport
While waiting for a flight, it can be tempting to shop at an airport to pass the time.
However, most items are massively marked up, meaning snacks and electrical items will cost you much more than if you bought them before your holiday.
Even if you fancy getting breakfast or lunch, opt for sandwiches and snacks to bring through security - your own food is allowed into the terminal as long as it isn't a liquid.
Opting for this instead of a Wetherspoon fry up and a cup of tea could save you £12 each.
Forget getting travel money at the airport too - many of the bureaus charge the highest rates for foreign currency, so preorder it online and pick it up from a high street shop.
Check your roaming charges
One easy way to end up with a huge holiday bill is by using your phone abroad.
With new EU rules being brought in this year, lots of mobile phone providers are no longer offering free-roaming.
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Before going abroad, check the new rules and see if you are covered - if not, you can also set up a limit so you don't go over and get stung at the end of your trip.
One lad was hit with a £2,700 bill after using his phone on holiday in Egypt, while a mum was hit with a £5,000 bill after her daughters used her phone abroad.
