Many families will be planning their first holiday in years this summer as international travel reopens from a Covid shutdown.
But with the cost of living increasing and price rises across fuel, energy and food, some will be looking at ways to save money on the trip.
It comes as new research has revealed the true cost of a peak-season family holiday in 2022.
Leading travel group Thomas Cook told Express: “Generally speaking Spain is more expensive than Greece, which is more expensive than Turkey.
“What people will tend to do though is spend the same money and trade up or down on board basis or star rating (a five-star all-inclusive in Turkey might be a similar price to a four-star half-board in Spain, for example).”
According to their research, holidaymakers can expect to pay the following for an average trip in June.
- Benidorm, Spain - Around £525 (€634) per person for a four-star all inclusive holiday
- Crete, Greece - An estimated £439 (€530) per person for a four-star all inclusive holiday
- Alanya, Turkey - Around £476 (€575) per person for a five-star all inclusive holiday
Meanwhile, experts have been issuing money-saving tips for people planning holidays.
NetVoucherCodes has issued its top hacks from hunt for discounts, to avoiding fees and finding the best exchange rates.
Accommodation
According to NetVoucherCodes, hotels tend to be more expensive than renting a self-catering holiday home or villa.
If you’re travelling with a larger family or group, choosing a self-catering option could save you lots of money.
However anyone opting to stay in a hotel is being warned to watch out for cheap deals on five star hotels. A spokesperson said: “The likelihood is that it’s too good to be true. Hotel ratings aren’t standardised worldwide, and many are just an indicator of the facilities rather than the quality. Don’t fall for a faulty star rating and check out the real-life reviews.”
Look for discount codes
A number of tour operators provide discount codes and perks for package and all-inclusive holiday deals, as well as some free child places and last-minute deals.
However, NetVoucherCodes warns that if you have been doing lots of research online, make sure when you’re making a booking to use a different device as some websites increase the cost when they see users are interested in a particular deal.
Pay with a credit card
Paying by credit card means you're covered if anything goes wrong, according to NetVoucherCodes.
For example, if the airline goes bust, you will get your money back from the card company. However, be sure to pay your card off in full by the end of each month to avoid any interest charges.
The group also says you can also take out credit cards which are designed to make it easier to spend overseas with benefits such as fee-free transactions abroad or attractive exchange rates.
Have an up to date European Health Insurance Card
Make sure you have an up-to-date European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) when travelling in the EU. It gives you access to treatment at state-run hospitals and GP services at the same cost as locals. Check to see if your existing EHIC is still in date before travelling. You can apply for the card via the HSE.
Be Covid-savvy and safe
While most of Ireland’s remaining Covid restrictions are gone, many holiday destinations still have some in place and they are changing regularly. People are advised to check the latest news and advice before booking on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.
