Going on holiday has never been more expensive as families battle the cost of living crisis and soaring inflation. However the demand for ‘family-friendly holidays’ has grown in popularity during the last month, with an increase of 257 per cent for internet searches.
Discount expert Nick Drewe, at online deals platform WeThrift, has shared his tips on saving money during a family-friendly holiday this summer. Here's his top tips on enjoying a summer trip without breaking the bank.
Book activities online
Travelling with children means keeping them entertained day and night, to do this you may want to visit some of the different tourist attractions the location has to offer. Booking online saves you time and money. There are often deals available for major attractions when booking in advance, or through special promotions.
If you plan to visit multiple attractions during your holiday, a group pass that gains you access to multiple attractions may also be a worthwhile investment. Not only can this save you money, but you may actually be able to get a few attractions for the price of one, depending on where you book.
Book last-minute to bag a deal
Being flexible when travelling with children can be very challenging, especially when visiting international destinations. Booking last minute can score you a hot deal, when searching for a family holiday during peak travel time.
See what package holidays are available with heavy discounts, instead of purchasing flights and accommodation separately. Booking last minute, however, will mean that your travel plans will need to be pretty flexible, so this tip is best suited for smaller families.
Top tip: Download the Chrome extension ‘CheaperThere’. When booking online through comparison sites, click on the extension, this will find you the best price for the flight or hotel.
Pack your own snacks
Stay budget friendly and avoid the overpriced food on the plane. Also your kids will most likely appreciate you bringing their favourite snacks on board, rather than ones they’re not familiar with.
If you want to save money on snacks around the pool or at the beach, visit the local supermarket on your holiday destination. Crisps, water, bread and treats are just a few of the little inexpensive things you can purchase to save money on your day trips.
Top Tip: “Put the snacks in compact reusable bags, so you can save room in your carry on/ baby bag.”
Cut back on tourist attractions
You can keep your children happy and entertained, while saving money by planning activities that are free. Exploring parks or even hiking can be enjoyable for children. These will cost very little whilst still giving you the chance to make incredible memories with your loved ones.
Top tip: “When booking your holiday, look for accommodation that has children friendly activities, like slides, pools, children clubs and more. It’s worth booking a place that's close to the beach, so you can keep them entertained and save money on travel.”
Stay in apartments rather than hotels
Hotels are great for a lot of reasons, but booking an apartment through Airbnb can be really beneficial for larger families. When staying in a villa or apartment complex, you will most likely have access to kitchen facilities, where you can cook your own meals to save money.
Top tip: Use Google Flights for cheap holiday inspiration. Click ‘Explore Destinations’ and it will suggest when and where the most affordable flights are from your chosen destination.
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