Here are our top money-saving vacation hacks:
Save money with self-catering accommodation
The main reason why self-catering accommodation is a good option is that it is a lot more cost-effective. You will have to pay a lot more for staying somewhere which provides you with free food and drink, even if you merely opt for the bread and breakfast option. Therefore the initial booking of your stay will be a lot cheaper.
Not only this, but you will be able to budget your vacation to suit you. You can spend some nights out eating at nice restaurants, yet you can also purchase some food from the local shops and have nights in as well. If you choose to stay somewhere picturesque and homely, such as a country house or a cottage, then eating in can be a lovely experience because you are likely to be surrounded by beautiful scenery and countryside.
The cost-effectiveness associated with self-catering accommodation is not the only reason why it is recommended. In addition to this, by opting for self-catering you will have much more freedom, from going to a pool with waterslides to enjoying the nature. When staying in somewhere which offers you food and drink you will be confined to their restaurant opening times and so you will have to eat at a time which has been set for you. This can be a great inconvenience. First and foremost, you may not even be hungry at the time which has been set. But, more importantly, you could be out exploring and having a great day only to find that you have to leave earlier than wanted to get back for dinner.
A problem also occurs if you do not like the food which the hotel provides you with. This is because you will be stuck eating it for the rest of your stay. Alternatively, you could decide to eat out, but this means that you would essentially be paying for two meals a day and so will be wasting money. At least if you are staying somewhere with self-catering if you try a restaurant and you don’t like it you merely go somewhere else the next evening. In fact, self-catering provides you with more opportunities to explore. After all, no one can deny that eating and drinking is a large part of any vacation!
Weigh and measure your luggage beforehand
There is nothing worse than getting to the airport and finding that your suitcase is overweight. You will have to pay for the extra weight, and it is more expensive at the airport than online. This is why it is always advisable to weigh your luggage beforehand. You can see whether it is possible to take anything about or move some things into someone else’s case. If not, at least you can pay for the extra weight then and there to avoid the extra airport cost.
Consider an indirect flight
Yes, this will add hours to your travel time, and it can be a little bit annoying. However, it can save you hundreds of pounds in certain instances, especially when it comes to long haul flights, and so it is certainly something worth considering.