If you’re anything like me, there’s probably nothing you look forward to more than going away on holiday. Even though ongoing problems in the global economy have meant many people have been forced to cut their non-essential expenditure, I think it’d be a mistake to believe this means you have to forgo taking a break altogether. Far from it, in fact.
What the continued squeeze on spending that many people face does mean, however, is that you’ll have to take a much more cash-conscious approach towards arranging your holiday. Luckily, there are many ways that this can be done. To find out more about how you can have a fantastic holiday that doesn’t break the bank, read on.
Be sensible with your choice of destination and hotel
Where you choose to go and the standard of accommodation you stay in has a monumental impact on the overall cost of your break. Of course, if you’re planning a budget break, a two-week holiday in a five-star resort in Dubai or the Maldives is likely to be out of the question!
Instead, you should look at places that are a little closer to home. Spain and Portugal have long been favourites among budget-conscious holidaymakers. These short-haul destinations are not only relatively cheap to travel to (numerous budget airlines run routes here) but also contain a wealth of comfortable, yet reasonably-priced, accommodation.
I also advise you to spend time comparing deals on flights from a range of providers before making a booking. The first flight you find is unlikely to be the most competitive one available and I instead recommend you use a price comparison site to establish what a fair rate is before you part with any cash.
Pick a shuttle transfer over an airport taxi
After you’ve touched down in your holiday destination, you’ll also need to figure out how to get to your hotel. This is an area that is well worth paying attention towards, particularly as it can prove to be quite costly.
I advise you to avoid the temptation to hop into one of the taxis queuing outside the airport’s arrival lounge and instead arrange a shuttle transfer to your hotel before you leave the UK. This will see you share a minibus or coach with other holidaymakers who are staying in the same resort or in nearby accommodation and, with travel costs split across a larger group, it should prove a great way to save some money.
Be canny with exchanging currency
Exchanging your pounds into the currency of the destination that you’re going to be visiting is something that is often left until the last minute, but it’s certainly worth considering the financial implications that this can cause. In a similar way to getting a good deal on flights, I recommend you spend time comparing currency deals from a range of providers as far in advance as possible. Doing so will enable you to establish where competitive offers are to be found so you’re in a position to make the most of your money.
Whatever you do, make sure you don’t exchange money at the airport just before your flight takes off. The exchange rates offered here are notorious for being extremely uncompetitive!
I’ve only looked at a few of the things you can do to help minimise the costs involved with going away, but if you have got any more tips please share them by leaving a comment below.
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