Bringing your own tea and booking on the right day of the week are two of the ways to go on holiday without splurging too much cash.
This year three out of five Brits are planning trips abroad, according to a recent survey, yet 28% admit feeling more concerned about getting value for money than before, while the average traveller has £300 less to spare on their next getaway.
More than a third (35%) will book destinations closer to home rather than somewhere far-flung, while almost half (46%) will go away for a shorter period.
And 47% said they feel more pressure than ever to make sure their holidays offer value for money.
To show Brits how to make trips as affordable as possible this year, experts at tour and gap year company, Welcome to Travel, have shared their top tips on how to save money when travelling in 2023.
Book flights on Tuesday Mornings
Darryl Newby, co-founder of Welcome to Travel, recommends booking on a Tuesday.
"If in doubt, always book flights on Tuesday mornings. Airlines tend to lower their prices on Monday nights, leaving the following morning the perfect time to jump in and bag a great deal. You can even end up saving between 15 and 25%"
It is also worth bearing in mind that midweek flights tend to be the cheapest as people limit the amount of time they need off work by booking over the weekends.
"However, some airlines also offer flash sales," he continued.
"To keep on top of these and avoid missing out on any bargains, I’d suggest signing up for a newsletter service like Jack’s Flight Club.
"They reach out to you directly about exciting deals, allowing you to bag flights along some of the world’s most desirable routes for a fraction of their usual price."
Take advantage of sleeper trains
Darryl suggests taking sleeper trains when travelling as they supply transport and accommodation all in one.
"I cannot recommend taking sleeper trains enough. Not only do they provide hassle-free transport between destinations but by sleeping on board, you also evade having to pay an additional cost for accommodation.
"What’s more, sleeper trains are typically cheaper than flights and high-speed alternatives, which already saves you money. Plus, they are way more comfortable than buses and have very few baggage restrictions."
Sleeper trains also deliver you right into town and city centres, as well as offering a more eco-friendly mode of transport than flying or driving.
Consider random stopovers
Booking flights with a random stopover can save you over half the price of airfares.
"Random stopovers are an absolute lifesaver when it comes to cutting down the cost of flights," Darryl said.
"Although it may seem inconvenient and even annoying at first, taking a detour can ultimately save you a lot of money and turn out to be a surprisingly enjoyable experience.
"Just embrace the adventure and opportunity that this creates to tick off an extra destination, all the while spending less on the one you would be visiting anyway."
Bring your own tea bags
Three billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every day. Yet, some airlines are charging over 50% more than high street cafes for this water-based beverage.
"I cannot stress enough how much money you can save just by packing your own tea bags," Darryl said.
"Being from England myself, I know how important it is for many of us to have our daily Yorkshire.
"However, it is scary to see how much some airports and airlines are charging for this. Don’t forget that you order a cup of boiling water for free. So, you can end up saving buckets just by bringing your own tea bags. Then all you need to do is ask for some boiling water onboard or at an airport cafe and there you have it, all for free."
Use travel cards
"Getting a travel card is a must if you are looking to save money on your next trip," Darryl said. "Doing so will spare you from being faced with fees every time you go to pay for something or take out cash."
Travel cards are specifically designed to make it cheaper for you to spend money overseas.
Policies do differ so shop around, but typically they do not charge you conversion fees for paying in a different currency and some also provide travel rewards such as upgrades or air miles.
