From flights to accommodation: how to save on your Summer holiday

From the best time to book your holiday to avoiding fees while abroad, here are some great ways to save.

With the Summer holidays fast approaching, what are the best ways to save cash on your Summer getaway? 

We spoke to some of the UK’s money-saving tipsters to get their best tips for saving on your annual vacation. 

Buy in advance... or last-minute

When should you book to get the best savings – buy in advance or book last-minute? According to Jasmine Birtles, founder of Moneymagpie.com, it really comes down to your personal preference. 

“To save money, you can either go really last minute (like within a week of the start date) or book a few months in advance,” said Jasmine. 

“Generally, if you know when you’re going, you are safest to book very early, as that gives you the opportunity to pick cheaper, good seats on the plane and make the most of early bird offers with package deals and hotel rooms. 

“However, if you’re a last-minute kind of person, there are often really good deals on sites like Travelzoo, which updates its list of last-minute offers daily.”

Use AI as a travel agent

Kara Gammell, author of The Bargain Hunter: Easy Hacks and Tips to Save Money Every Day, suggests the clever hack of using AI to find a bargain holiday. 

“AI can make family holiday planning easier and more affordable by helping you find the cheapest destinations from your local airport,” she said. 

“Airlines and hotels often use dynamic pricing, where prices change based on demand, time of booking, and other factors.

"AI algorithms can analyse historical price data to predict future prices, giving you a heads up on the best deals. 

“What’s more, it can suggest cheaper travel destinations that you might not have considered by considering your local airport, preferences – such as climate, activities, and culture – and, most importantly, your budget. 

“Here is an example of a prompt to type into Chat GPT or whichever AI you prefer. You can tailor the details to meet your preferences: 

‘You are my travel agent. Give me five ideas for a Summer family holiday destination.

"I would like these locations to have temperatures of between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius during August. I will be travelling in a group with two children and two adults.  

'We enjoy things like swimming, beaches and theme parks. All in, we would like to spend less than X amount for X days. Ask me five questions that would help you do a better job of helping me pick a place."

Book a smaller property 

Looking to save money on your accommodation?

“Look for a place that has fewer bedrooms but has a sofa bed,” said Kara. “It’s hardly rocket science, but it will help you cut costs.” 

She also recommends that you take an extension lead with you, so you only need one travel adapter, saving around £6 per adapter. 

Saving on currency

“My rule is to buy the currency in my hometown or online,” said Jasmine.

There are some great comparison sites online, such as Compareholidaymoney.com, Moneysavingexpert.com, and Moneysupermarket.com, where you can find the best prices on the net. 

“Often, you can buy the money there and then pick it up at the airport or have it delivered to you if you buy enough. 

"You could also use a friendly credit or payment card while you’re away. Personally, I like to have both cash and card with me when I’m away. 

“Cards that are particularly good for using abroad are Revolut, Tallymoney (your money is invested in gold there, so you are spending gold rather than pounds when abroad), and the Halifax Clarity credit card.”

House swap

“I’m a big fan of house-swapping to make it cheaper to go abroad,” said Jasmine.

“Websites like Homeexchange.com or Lovehomeswap.co,uk help you swap your home with someone in another country, so all you have to pay is the travel and your food. It’s a great way to travel the world on a small budget!”

You may have to pay a membership fee to belong to house swap sites, but it’s still much cheaper than paying hundreds or thousands of pounds for accommodation each year. 

Another option could be to rent out your own home on a site such as Airbnb.com to make money on it while you’re away, but make sure you have insurance cover for this and that your mortgage provider allows it. 

Save on food

Don’t be tempted to waste your cash on food at the airport, said Kara. 

“Budget airlines make extra cash by selling snacks to hungry holidaymakers at sky-high prices – especially parents with hangry kiddos – so a simple splurge on airline snacks for your family could easily undo the savings on your ticket,” she said.  

“As it is only liquids that you can’t take through security, you can pack your own food and snacks to save a bundle.

Kara also suggests saving on holiday by making lunch your main meal. “When you go on vacation, your worries about your wallet can tend to go out the window, but you needn’t pay over the odds for your nosh. 

“One way to cut costs is to eat your main meal at lunchtime, as many restaurants have lunch menus that are significantly cheaper per person than dinner fare.”

You can save hundreds of pounds over a week by eating just one of your main meals out, if you’re in self-catering, and making your own meals at home. 

If you’re holidaying in the UK, you can save by doing a big shop before you go away rather than shopping in smaller, more expensive grocery stores at your resort. 

Save on the plane

Worried about the cost of booking seats on the flight out? Don’t be fooled by airlines’ attempts to make you pay for your children to sit next to you, warned Kara. 

“If you’re taking a flight with young children, you’re probably going to want to sit next to them. 

"But making sure your family sits together on a plane can be costly, as many airlines charge fees for pre-selecting seats, which can range from £10 to £30 per seat per flight. 

“For a family of five, taking two holidays a year, this could add an extra £600 to the cost of travelling. Airlines rely on the fear factor to convince you to cough up for allocated seating, and passengers worry if they don’t pay up, they’ll be split up. 

“But here’s the thing: you don’t have to pay. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, kids under 14 should be seated near an adult in their group for free, or no more than a row or aisle apart.

“And yes, this also includes Ryanair, where it stipulates that at least one parent should pay a booking fee. Err on the side of caution and check in early for peace of mind.”

Kara also points out that some airlines will let parents check in car seats and collapsible pushchairs for free. 

“Even some of the cheaper airlines with a reputation for frugality have surprisingly generous baggage policies for parents. 

“Renting car seats and buggies while you’re away can be a costly affair, so this hack could save you hundreds.

"Whether you’re checking in a car seat or a pram, it’s a good idea to wrap it in plastic wrap and lots of tape. You might also be able to sneak a couple of towels in there to save space in your suitcase.”