As the cost of living continues to rise, budget-friendly holiday tips are needed more than ever.
With inflation continuing to soar well above wage increases, the average Brit is considerably poorer this summer than they were last year.
Many people are forgoing trips away altogether this year as they look to save as much as they can, with significant energy price rises looming this autumn.
A single mum with three jobs who is struggling to cope during the cost of living crisis recently told The Mirror how she hadn't been on holiday for the past six years.
Those who are planning a getaway but want to travel for as cheaply as possible can follow the advice of Karen Williams, a travel expert at Eurocamp who has some top tips for going on holiday on a budget.
Go with friends or family
Split the cost of your accommodation with your nearest and dearest. Holiday homes are perfect for this, allowing you to book accommodation for a fixed price, not per person.
This means you can easily share with other family and friends and save a fortune on your holiday.
Travel mid-week
Flight prices rise on Saturday and Sundays - why not try and travel mid-week? With kids on school holidays, travel mid-week to enjoy some serious savings.
Make it a road trip
Have a bit of time and want to save some serious cash? Ditch the plane and drive to your destination.
Crossing the Channel with your car can cost as little as £50 and allows you to travel at a leisurely pace through Europe.
Not only does this avoid lengthy airport queues and delayed and cancelled flights, there’s no need to worry about weight limits for baggage or whether you’ll be sat together, just jump in the car and go.
Make the most of freebies
Get stuck in with the freebies that your accommodation offers. Many hotels, resorts and parks come with pool complexes which provide hours of free fun for the whole family.
Keep an eye out for places that offer free activities to enjoy. Some holiday providers also offer holiday clubs for kids of all ages - from the little ones all the way up to the teenagers.
Not only does this keep them occupied and away from expensive excursions, it’s also a great way for them to make friends and explore their independence.
Look for somewhere near a beach too. This avoids paying for parking or taxis to get there, and you can spend a cheap day making sandcastles and paddling in the waves.
Go self-catered
Self-catering can help you save big bucks. You don’t need to go out to enjoy a good, filling meal and instead try some local delicacies from your own holiday home.
If your kids fancy a snack, having a selection of treats for them to enjoy can be a great way of saving money by avoiding pricey shops and snack bars.
Save money by sticking to a food budget. At the start of your holiday, do a single one-off shopping trip to a big supermarket to get all of your food for dinners and snacks, and allocate a budget for those special occasion meals.
Explore with a bike
Save on fuel and transport costs and explore the local area on a bike.
A lot of parks, resorts, hotels, and hostels offer bike hire for a small fee, and if you’re travelling by car you can strap your bikes on to save you even more money.
Seek out discounts
Look around for the best deals for you and your family by signing up to mailing alerts.
Many companies now include an ‘offers’ tab on their websites, so have a look through there and you might find some gems .
A lot of websites and companies often run limited time deals and discounts, so make sure to regularly check the sites and see if there’s anything for you.
