With the cost of living crisis, it’s more important than ever to make sure our money stretches as far as possible. Hopefully you’ve already bagged a great deal with us – and if you haven’t, we have thousands of amazing deals bursting with discounts and savings, to make getting away that bit easier on purse strings.
But you can also make great savings by actually budgeting while you’re away on holiday, too! Keep on reading to discover our top handy tips so you can budget at your best and make your money stretch further whilst on your fantastic getaway…
Head off the beaten track
No matter where you are on holiday – there’s usually always a main area, popular spot, or ‘strip’. It’s probably no shock that the bars and restaurants lined up in these places usually come with peak prices, as you’re paying for being in a prime spot, too.
But there’s usually just as delicious, and as a bonus, less expensive eateries to be discovered if you simply wander slightly away from all the hustle and bustle. Be it down a cosy side street or a few rows back from the beach, you’re likely to find a hidden gem of a restaurant. Basically the big touristy areas are both busier and more expensive, so eat like a local and you’ll likely be rewarded in savings and authentic flavours – win win!
Make use of free Wi-Fi
There’s nothing worse than getting home from your amazing holiday to realise you’ve been hit with a hefty phone bill because of international data charges! To play it safe, turn your data off from the get-go, and make use of your hotel’s free Wi-Fi. You’ll find most bars and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi too, so just ask when you’re out and about!
Take all the toiletries you need
We can’t stress this one enough – make sure you’re taking all the toiletries you need to cover you for the duration of your stay. Be it shampoo, conditioners, and especially the likes of sun cream and after sun. The prices of these items abroad can sometimes be double, if not more! And if you haven’t taken enough or forgotten it – unfortunately you’re stuck paying those silly prices.
Forget foreign exchange fees
Save yourself money on foreign exchange fees with any purchases abroad by securing yourself an appropriate travel card before you go. With TUI’s multi-currency travel money card for example, you can load up to 12 currencies on the same card, with the exchange rate fixed at the time of purchase – so there’s no nasty surprises! You can use your card again and again every time you go on holiday, and can even top it up from the handy app.
Some credit cards also offer promotions and benefits specifically for travelling overseas – a Barclaycard for example, offers fraud protection, emergency cash, and one single non-sterling purchase fee of just 2.99% every time you use it.
Alternatively you can try to budget exactly how much you think you’ll spend during your stay and get that out in cash to take with you, limiting what you can spend. Just make sure to keep large amounts of cash in a safety deposit box and not to take it all out and about with you – it’s better to separate it into daily amounts.
Play around with dates prior to booking
This one’s probably obvious but it’s definitely a tip that can save some serious pennies. If you’re not too fussed when you want to go, you can use our handy search tool to take a look at the prices of your holiday on different dates. And you’ll find the further out from ‘peak season’ like July and August you are, the more savings there are to be made!
And with breaks that involve a lot of exploring, like a city break to Rome for example, the cheaper prices are often the best time to go anyway. No one wants to be walking around ancient ruins with sweat dripping everywhere! City breaks are great in months like April, May and October, when the weather is milder, crowds are far less busy, and prices are lower.
Tuck into tapas
How is this a tip I hear you say? Well, another way to eat like a local and reap the benefits is to tuck into the likes of Tapas if you’re going to Spain or Portugal, or the tasty equivalent of marvellous Meze in Greece!
Instead of ordering everyone individual meals like we’re used to doing in the UK, ordering a selection of smaller dishes to share not only means you save money, but you get to try a few different things too! Trust us – your wallets and taste buds will thank you for it.
Make the most of markets
You’ll usually always find a local market wherever you are – and these are perfect for bagging some brilliant bargains! Whether you want some authentic souvenirs to take home for family and friends or you’re looking to treat yourself to something one-of-a-kind, a marvellous market is where you’ll find something really special, and, make some savings.
Make the most of your hotel
You’ve paid the money to stay at your hotel, so make sure you get the most out of it! Hopefully you bagged a hotel with facilities catering to you and who you’re travelling with – whether that’s with a lovely pool, an onsite waterpark, or multiple restaurants. You can make your holiday so much cheaper by having days spent around the pool (as opposed to spending money on a day trip in the town) and simply enjoying being away, in the sunshine, without a care in the world.
An All Inclusive holiday is a great way to save pennies while you’re away – as you’ve already paid the upfront cost for everything beforehand, so while you’re away it’s simply about making the most of it! The all inclusive drinks, snacks, meals – go crazy and pile those plates high!
Use local transport
If you’re using taxis to get about while you’re on holiday, it won’t be long before all those fares add up! Instead, try to use local transport wherever possible – you’ll find local buses into the town centre are so much cheaper.
Have a look online at the local bus routes in your resort before you go, or take a look at Tripadvisor reviews of your hotel and see where others have mentioned buses too.
Say hello to Happy Hours!
Within just about every destination, resort, or town you travel to, you’ll always be able to find a Happy Hour on the go somewhere! Make sure to scout out the local bars in your destination area and discover what drinks offers are available.
Happy hours are your best bet for saving a good few bob while you’re out and about, usually meaning your drinks are half price, two for one, or just at a special discounted rate. Cheers to that!
The best things in life are free
Our best and final tip is an important reminder – that the best things in life are free! It costs absolutely nothing to get up early and start your day off by watching the spectacular sunrise, or an equally beautiful sunset over the ocean. Especially when the weather back home is cold and cloudy – these are the sights that make you really appreciate being away.
Add that to beautiful beachfront strolls in the sunshine or taking in a view from the top of a mountain trail, and it’s soon clear that the cost of these moments might be zero, but the rewards are priceless.
Ready to put our brilliant budgeting tips to use?
We hope these handy tips help you make the most out of your amazing getaway without breaking the bank! If you’re yet to get your hands on a holiday, you can start your search with us today. We have dreamy deals to amazing destinations ready and waiting to delight you!
Facebook
Twitter
Email 
