A holiday expert has shared his top tips to ensure anyone can enjoy a luxury holiday without having to break the bank.
When booking even the smallest of breaks costs quickly start piling up because of travel, accommodation and much more.
With the hot weather season approaching, thousands will start looking for the best deals allowing them to have a great summer while sticking to their budgets.
Fred Harrington, the CEO of coupon site Bountii, has shared with the Daily Express his top advice to keep costs down without having to renounce your dream summer holidays.
Mr Harrington noted flexibility is key but applying even just a few of his tips could allow holidaymakers to save hundreds on their upcoming summer breaks.
The key to saving money when planning a holiday is to remain open-minded about when and where you’ll be heading.
Mr Harrington noted school term times tend to be less expensive and suggested September, while a less popular time to travel, could be the perfect time to jet off.
For families, the expert said the last week of August “tends to be cheapest” and usually doesn’t take too much time off the new school year.
He said: “According to Google Flights, return flights for four people from London to Majorca averaged £630 in the last week of August – a decrease of 15.5 percent from the average flights’ cost of £746 during the rest of the summer holidays.”
The expert argued that popular tourism hotspots tend to be more expensive but moving accommodation searches only a few miles away could not only save you money but also make you “fall in love with an underrated place.”
Mr Harrington said comparison websites can be a holidaymaker’s best friend when planning a summer getaway as they provide an immediate idea of where the best deal might be hiding.
He noted that websites like Booking.com help planning travellers find the best flight prices and airlines. Price comparison sites like Trivago offer the same insight into the best hotel deals.
The expert also argued in favour of getting travel insurance to safeguard in the event of last-minute changes or accidents.
He said: “Comparison websites are also extremely useful when it comes to purchasing travel insurance – which is something that you definitely shouldn’t skip, unless you already receive coverage, such as through your bank.
“Websites such as Go Compare and Compare the Market allow you to input your travel insurance needs and discover the best deals on.”
Packing light, fortunately, comes easier in the summer and is also another way to avoid adding extra costs to the final holiday bill.
The majority of airlines charge more for checked luggage and heavy bags can result in extra fees when overloaded.
Mr Harrington advised weighing suitcases before heading to the airport – but insisted that sticking to meticulously packed hand luggage is the best option to pay less.
He said: “Be sure to create a detailed packing list in advance, and only pack what you need and will realistically use.
“Pick clothing that is light and be sure to include some items that you can re-wear or mix and match with other pieces.
“Rolling your clothes instead of folding can also save space and may prevent creasing. Another great tip is to buy travel-sized toiletries or containers to transfer the supplies you already have into.”
