The new year is here and many of us are already mapping out the next twelve months ahead of us. We want to improve our lives. We want to experience new things. We want to see new places. It’s not all too surprising that many of our minds turn to travel and we start thinking up what we’re going to do with our annual leave. Now, vacations are fun, but they do come at a cost. The good news is that there are various ways to save yourself money while booking. Here are a few steps that you can take to make getting away as affordable and cheap as possible!
Start Planning Early
When it comes to planning a vacation, it’s generally best to get organised pretty early on. This can save you money in various ways. First of all, booking early means that you can generally bag flights, accommodation, or package deals at low prices. Travel and accommodation providers know that people looking to book last minute generally need to get somewhere and are consequently more likely to fork out extra costs to get there. By booking early, you can take advantage of fair deals without extra charges thrown in for the sake of it. Planning early also means that you can book other vacation-related costs at a lower price. You can generally save money on pet sitting or pet boarding. You can save money on buying bikinis and other summer wear out of season (summer wear tends to become more expensive during the warmer months when it’s in higher demand). You can save in all sorts of unexpected places! So, get browsing now.
Look Out for Voucher Codes
Increasing numbers of us are spending money online. We do our grocery shopping online. We purchase clothes online. We buy consoles online. Whatever you could possibly want, chances are that you can order it from the comfort of your own home and have it delivered the next day. The convenience is great and many retailers are able to sell what they offer for a lower price due to the cheaper costs of running stores online. The same goes for vacations! More and more travel agents are taking to the web and more people are booking online, receiving confirmation immediately. But before you click checkout, make sure to have a look around for voucher or coupon codes that can save you money on the total! Reliable sites like NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have a multitude of offers that you should really take advantage of!
Reconsider How Much Baggage You Need
If you’re heading away for a short trip, determine whether you really need to fork out for extra hold luggage. If you’re heading to a hot destination, chances are that you’re going to spend a lot of your time in swimwear and sandals, which really don’t take up too much room. Reconsider your luggage choices and, if possible, save yourself money by only taking your hand luggage.
Change Your Money In Advance
When you head to a destination with a different currency, you generally need to change money in order to purchase things while you are away. Whether this is a meal, souvenirs, or an excursion … it’s generally best to have cash on you. After all, using your debit or credit card overseas can see you lumped with all sorts of expenses. However, remember to exchange your money well in advance. Take a look online for the place with the best rates and use them. Waiting until you’re at the airport can see you lumped with terrible rates and you can find yourself losing a lot of money through sheer procrastination or laziness! If you are going to use your debit or credit card abroad, you will be posed with the option to pay in your own currency or the local currency. Generally speaking, it’s best to choose your own currency — it costs you less. However, double check this for specific destinations.
Turn Your Roaming Off
If your mobile network charges you extortionate amounts to use your phone overseas, make sure to turn your roaming off before you land in the country. Do this in the airport when you depart. This can prevent you from coming home to an outrageous phone bill after your vacation.
These are just a few tips and tricks to bear in mind when you next head away on holiday. Sure, it’s going to cost you a fair amount to go anywhere. But you might as well cut costs wherever you can!
