WE may all be enjoying the first long weekend of the year with the great Easter getaway, but it’s just 100-odd days until the start of the summer holidays.
If you’ve yet to book your break here at home or are looking to jet off abroad in July and August, there are still ways to save despite the cost-of-living crisis and increased flight and holiday prices.
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Here, Head of Travel Lisa Minot offers advice for ways to cut your spending when heading off on holiday — and a handy checklist for what you can do to make sure everything goes smoothly.
MID-WEEK WONDERS
DEPARTING mid-week can generate big savings on flights, as those at weekends are in higher demand and cost more.
Data from Google Flights has found travellers save an average of 15 per cent if they fly on a Wednesday compared with the weekend.
Check out Skyscanner’s Everywhere tool for inspiration, with the cheapest flight prices for a huge range of destinations.
GO LATER FOR LESS
THE first week of the school summer holidays is the busiest, with the highest prices, so maybe wait till the END as the last week of August brings significant savings.
Also, if you live in the north of England consider flying out of Scottish airports in August, when Scottish kids are back at school and prices drop.
SWITCH AND SAVE
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WITH prices in the EU on the rise, this year is the time to think outside the box.
Switch the Italian Lakes for North Macedonia where holiday giant Tui has a new programme to explore its stunning lakes and mountains.
Not got the cash for pricey clubbing capital Ibiza?
Head to Montenegro and buzzing Budva with its fantastic nightlife and international DJs.
Those after fly-and-flop sun should look at Turkey where the currency is weak compared to the Pound, and prices are lower than similar hotels in Greece and Spain.
COASTS WITH THE MOST
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IF looking for a staycation, consider taking a break away from the most popular destinations like Cornwall, Devon and the Lake District where prices are at a premium.
Plump for the Kent or Essex coastline and you’ll get keener costs for cottages and holiday homes but can still enjoy beautiful beaches.
Instead of the Lake District, try the Peak District or Lancashire’s Ribble Valley.
GO LAST MINUTE
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FOR those prepared to gamble, heading away last minute will always help cut costs.
You’ll need to be flexible though — and flight times may well be very early or late.
But if you’re prepared to endure a red-eye, there are savings to be made.
On The Beach have launched an online tool, morebeachforyourbuck.co.uk, which delivers great-value late deals. There are holidays to Spain from just £241 per person for a week.
CHECK YOUR PASSPORT
BEFORE booking any summer break, it’s essential to make sure your passport will be valid for the time you want to travel.
Passport office staff from the PCS union are striking until May 5 and although the Government doesn’t anticipate passports taking any longer than ten weeks to be processed, that doesn’t leave you much time if looking to head away at the start of the summer.
If you are travelling to the EU you will need to check that your passport follows these two rules:
- It is no more than ten years old at the point you leave the UK.
- It has at least three months left on it when you head back to the UK.
If you are travelling outside the European Union it’s worth checking passport validity rules for your destination, at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Travellers heading to the US will only need their passport to be valid for the length of their stay but those travelling to South Africa, for example, will need at least six months remaining on their passport from the day they arrive.
INSURE AND GO
BE sure to book your travel insurance as soon as you book your trip.
Having it in place from the day you pay covers you should you need to cancel your trip due to illness or a bereavement.
Compare policies using a comparison website but make sure you declare any pre-existing medical conditions, and check cheaper policies very carefully to make sure they offer the right level of protection.
Double-check your European Health Insurance Card.
If it has expired, you’ll need to apply for the new Global Health Insurance Card — this gives you access to state health care within the European Union at a reduced rate or even for free but should be used as well as getting proper travel insurance.
Apply via nhs.uk.
