There are countless rumours online speculating how to get the best holiday deals.
“Tuesday is the best day to get a discount!”, “Wait until six weeks beforehand to book a flight!” and even “Pretend it’s your honeymoon!” are statements I have genuinely heard from both friends and travel ‘experts’ alike. But are these supposed tactics worth the risk?
There are easier ways to ensure you save money while planning your trip.
I’ve compiled a list of 7 tried and tested hacks which are guaranteed to help you book an amazing holiday on a budget – no fake honeymoon required.
Clear your cookies
Have you ever searched for a flight, clicked back on the page and realised it has significantly increased in price? That is because cookies are tracking your searches and can see you repeatedly browsing a certain route. The website increases the price to heighten your sense of urgency, so you are more likely to book it sooner.
Every time you log on your laptop to check prices, clear your cookies to ensure you get the lowest quotes available.
Go off-peak
Obviously summer, Christmas and school holidays are peak times for travel, so plan your trip outside of these dates. It may mean you go on a beach break in September rather than August, but it is also likely that the weather will still be great, there will be fewer tourists and you will save a considerable amount of dosh. The weather in Greece throughout October is wonderful and it is out of season, making your trip memorable but a lot cheaper.
Sky Scanner
If you don’t already know about Sky Scanner, you’re missing a trick. The flight comparison site scrutinises thousands of airlines and prices, so you don’t have to trawl from company to company to find the best deal – it’s all there in one place. Just pop in your preferred dates and destination and voila!
If you are feeling adventurous, why not select the ‘all destinations’ option and see what cheap flights are available? You could end up visiting an unexpected location for a bargain price.
HostelWorld
I am a massive fan of hostels. From a private room on a romantic trip to Dublin, to sleeping in a dorm with three of my best friends in Dubrovnik, I have used hostels as affordable and fun alternatives to hotels or Airbnbs. Hostels are also great places to meet fellow young travellers, perfect if you are on a solo trip.
HostelWorld is reliable, safe and easy to use. Type in your date and destination and the site will show you all the available hostels along with ratings, reviews, pictures and prices.
Be flexible
If you don’t have specific dates you need to travel on, be flexible. You might have your heart set on flying on a Saturday, but that will be considerably pricier than, say, a Tuesday. Instead, pick a certain week or month and look from there to find the cheapest deals.
HolidayPirates
HolidayPirates is similar to Wowcher, but solely travel-based. The site promises to get you the best vacation deals by providing you with discounts, vouchers and amazing packages – plus you can set up custom alerts to keep you updated with everything on offer. From Latvia to the Lake District, they have a plethora of options for booking an unforgettable (and purse-friendly) trip.
Don’t spend a fortune on airport transfers
Booking a taxi to the airport certainly won’t save you money. Consider taking the coach or a train. However, be wary of the airport express services, such as the Heathrow or Gatwick Express. They might be the best option for you but do your research. You can take the London Underground to Heathrow for a fraction of the price. Similarly, you can take the Southern Rail service to Gatwick Airport rather than the Express, which only takes 10 minutes longer but will save you an extra £15.
Booking a budget holiday doesn’t mean you need to compromise on having an incredible time – you just need to travel smart.
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