How-to Guides » OLD GUIDE Have a cheap holiday

Choose your accommodation wisely

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1) Be adventurous

When was the last time you went camping? Why not brave the outdoors and go camping or caravanning? This will be far cheaper than a hotel and can be a lot of fun – particularly if you have kids.

Alternatively, stay at a youth hostel! Many hostels provide rooms suitable for families and couples - as well as traditional dormitory-style accommodation. Check out the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) website for more information.

2) Go self-catering

Rent out a villa or a cottage instead of a hotel and you could save heaps! You’ll no longer have to pay for expensive meals out and instead can cook in the comfort of your own ‘home’!  Check out Holiday-rentals.co.uk to locate self-catering accommodation across the globe.

3) Live a life of luxury

Alternatively, maybe you’re looking for a swanky hotel room but don’t fancy paying the upmarket price tag. Then why not look into booking a top secret hotel room? Although you won’t be told exactly where you’re staying when you book, smart Sherlocks can still figure it out with a few extra clicks of a button. And, at nearly half the normal asking price, you could pick up a real bargain.

4) Book last minute

While booking in advance can be a great way to bag a bargain, booking last minute could save you even more. So if you’re fairly flexible about when and where you want to go, check out websites such as Lastminute.com or Teletext Holidays for some great deals. Read When booking last minute is worth it for more information.

5) Listen to fellow travellers

When choosing a place to stay, it always helps to get a better (and more realistic) picture of where you’re staying. So check out Tripadvisor which provides hundreds of candid reviews of hotels and popular attractions around the world  - as well as user photos. Read Travel tips from a pro for more handy advice.

6) House swap!

If you fancy trying something a little different, why not swap your home for someone else’s for the duration of the holiday! Check out websites such as UKHolidaySwapShop, Intervac, Homelink and Geenee. Read Property swap shop for more information.