When it comes to booking a trip abroad, we all want a cheap holiday, or to at least stick to a set spend. But, finding great breaks that come in under budget or managing your money whilst away can sometimes prove a little difficult.
So, we turned to our travel buddies on Twitter to get their top tips for travelling when money is tight and sticking too it – no matter how much those cute holiday trinkets draw you in.
Q1) What are your top tips for finding a budget holiday?
There were lots of great tips, but the most popular seemed to be booking out of season in order to avoid hiked prices.
I recently visited Croatia, Bosnia and Montengro on the shoulder season (October) not only did I get GREAT weather, the accommodation, flights and car hire were a steal! #HolidayChat pic.twitter.com/4vnWTjD52Y
— M I C H A E L A (@HeyImMichaela) April 4, 2018
Luiza knows how to grab a bargain...and no we’re not biased at all.
A1- don’t plan it last minute.
— Luiza Calini (@LuizaCalini) April 4, 2018
-look on websites like @icelollyholiday for good discounts #HolidayChat
google google google check EVERYWHERE for deals find Referal codes for AirBnB etc for money off google discount codes for hotels & flights
— Bryneenee (@Bryneenee) April 4, 2018
A1. Do your research! Take the time to check different websites, is it cheaper to book hotel & flights separate or as a package? Can you take public transport instead of an expensive taxi? & don’t be afraid to be more local and less tourist!
— Sarah (@sarahbethplumb) April 4, 2018
Drive to an airport miles away I live in Wales yet sometimes drive to Luton just because they are SO much cheaper than from Cardiff/Bristol. It's more effort but it's worth it when you get return flights for £19 #HolidayChat
— thewanderlustwelshie (@_nicolecooper7) April 4, 2018
Q2) Which destinations have you been to that are perfect for travellers on a budget?
Let the wanderlust begin….
A2. Montenegro! It’s cheaper than neighbouring Croatia and just as (if not more) beautiful! And if you really want to go to Croatia you can drive through for the day! #HolidayChat pic.twitter.com/qWbsc9YrxM
— Sarah (@sarahbethplumb) April 4, 2018
Definitely Bosnia! Some of the most stunning scenery around. It's somewhere that should be on every traveller's radar, we loved it there & can't wait to explore more of the country! #HolidayChat pic.twitter.com/hBvsHWpdbQ
— Pip Jones (@pip_says) April 4, 2018
Nicaragua is beautiful safe and very inexpensive. Stay in hostels and utilize cheap transportation to visit this beautiful country. #HolidayChat
— HeTravels SheTravels (@TheyTravel) April 4, 2018
Morocco! So many places to stay on budget and everywhere was so cheap to visit and purchase things! #holidaychat
— Laura Abbott (@LauraIsNora) April 4, 2018
Q3) Any tips for sticking to a budget whilst travelling? What's the best way to keep costs to a minimum?
Lots of planning and eating packed lunches seem to be the most popular way to keep costs down.
- Use discount websites like Groupon and book activities beforehand
— Char (@char_x0) April 4, 2018
- Use public transport
- Don't eat near major landmarks (the restaurants are usually overpriced)
- Check for free things to do on blogs
- Don't feel like you need to do everything #HolidayChat
#HolidayChat there's always free things to do in a city as well - free walking tours are my favourite. Just remember to tip the guides, but they are totally worth it for all the insider recommendations and to help sightsee your way around a new place!
— M I C H A E L A (@HeyImMichaela) April 4, 2018
A3) ummmm. I have none Pretty useless at sticking to a budget, really. I just sort of stop spending when I’m at the point where I might have to sell a kidney to keep going #HolidayChat
— Rhiannon (@walestowherever) April 4, 2018
On our trip to Iceland earlier in the year I packed snacks in the suitcase and we saved so much instead of buying snacks for our day trips
— Michelle (@wandering_curio) April 4, 2018
A3. When travelling I limit the use of my credit card & stick with cash. This way I know how much I have left and won't spend it on unnecessary things such as taking a taxi when it is perfectly safe to walk somewhere #holidaychat
— Sahana (@thewandererblog) April 4, 2018
Q4) What's the best budget holiday you've been on & why? Bonus points if you include a snap!
Probably Gdansk did the whole thing on less than £150 including flights and accommodation for 3 days and still came back with some money pic.twitter.com/5tEcpq22Ng
— Hannah Copcutt (@Hannahcopcutt) April 4, 2018
Lisbon, €1 for a Sagres and beautiful sunset #HolidayChat pic.twitter.com/p9ec2x8ssa
— thewanderlustwelshie (@_nicolecooper7) April 4, 2018
This year we booked to go to #Bremen really last minute. Our flight coming back to the UK was only £2.99! We went for one night, which kept costs down to a minimum and just did loads of walking (free!) We hardly spent anything in this pretty city! #Germany #HolidayChat pic.twitter.com/jFbBcjvBpV
— M I C H A E L A (@HeyImMichaela) April 4, 2018
A4. Budapest! Very cheap to rag & drink, full of history & culture, beautiful architecture and oh my the baths! #HolidayChat pic.twitter.com/qudrcqBTbm
— Sarah (@sarahbethplumb) April 4, 2018
A4. The best budget holidays I've been on were with friends. The more people you travel with, the less each individual person pays for things like accommodation and taxi's #holidaychat
— Sahana (@thewandererblog) April 4, 2018
Q5) You've got £200 to book a short break and a little extra for spending money. Where would you go and what would you do to maximise your holiday budget?
There were some amazing ideas on the best places to get more bang for your buck!
I just got back from Romania and on that money you can dine like queens! Would definitely try another neighbouring European country
— Cassie. (@cassiethehag) April 4, 2018
Well, I've just booked to go to #Luxembourg on the bank hol for only £39 Rtn. I plan to get the city card to keep costs down and get discounts on museums and sight see by foot! We have breakfast included in the hotel to keep us fuelled! It should be a cheap weekend! #HolidayChat pic.twitter.com/NwtmS90OsR
— M I C H A E L A (@HeyImMichaela) April 4, 2018
Budapest after researching for a while can find cheap accommodation quite easy, food is cheap & lots of cheap/free things to see & do
— Bryneenee (@Bryneenee) April 4, 2018
I'd probably take a trip to Benidorm, £200 generally goes quite far there hopefully it is sunnier this time though #holidaychat pic.twitter.com/fIRoGZtntI
— Travel Agent Source (@NewAgentSource) April 4, 2018
Join us on Wednesday 18th April 2018 for our next #HolidayChat which will be hosted by a blogging friend of icelolly.com! Got a topic suggestion? Drop a comment below!
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