British holidaymakers seeking cheap and cheery fun in the sun could save mammoth amounts of money by staying longer on holiday, new research from Which? Travel shows. While you would assume that it's a case of 'the longer you stay, the more it'll cost', the consumer champions found that booking package holidays for 11 nights rather than 10 can actually result in less money being spent.
The team analysed a number of package holiday deals from the likes of easyJet, Jet2, Love Holidays, On The Beach and Tui, where they also found that staying just one more night costs less than a fiver more, in certain cases.
Jo Rhodes, deputy editor of Which? Travel, said: "If you’re booking a holiday, it’s worth checking if you can save money by making some small changes to your travel dates and duration of your stay."
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And the team also identified a number of other ways to save on your summer holidays, with The Express reporting on tips which can score you extra perks at the hotel.
Pick up the phone -
The team at Which? said: "Online travel agents want the best prices for themselves and often prevent hotels advertising lower rates on their own websites. However, there's nothing to stop you emailing or calling the hotel directly to ask for a better offer.
"Even if they can't offer you a discount, the hotel might throw in a perk - like a bottle of wine or a free room upgrade."
Hotels can sometimes offer cheaper rates when tourists call directly, as well as the chance to score a complimentary room upgrade.
Book directly with the airline -
Which? Travel, added: "Booking via an online travel agent (OTA) could inflate an airfare by more than £100, Which? found. Headline prices may look enticing, but by the time you've factored in luggage and other extras, that figure skyrockets."
While it may not always be the case, it's a wise idea to check the span of prices available from the airline directly to see if savings can be made when compared to booking with a travel agent.
Stay in cheaper accommodation nearby -
Prices will more than likely always surge in hotspots during peak times, whereas staying in less popular hotels nearby could save you mega money. For example, Which? found that staying in Dartmouth instead of Salcombe - which is 11 miles away - could save you £59 per night on average.
