8377322735_426b5b1744-5958608Photo Credit: dibaer

Booking a holiday is great fun – but it’s also a great cost-cutting exercise. Unfortunately, far too many people make the mistake of thinking holiday savings end with the booking. In fact, they continue throughout the duration of your trip and should inform every decision you make before you leave and while you’re away.

Not convinced? You soon will be!

How Will You Get Around?

So you’ve booked the perfect trip to a far-flung destination, and saved a packet doing so, but what now? Getting to your chosen destination is one thing but getting around it is another entirely. Not only do you need to consider your own preferences but you also need to spare a thought for the setup of the country your visiting as while some places boast strong public transport networks, others are not quite so generous.

Make sure you investigate all options and do what you can to cut costs. It’s easy to overlook these fees when setting your holiday budget and while your hotel might be the height of luxury we doubt you want to spend your entire trip confined to its walls.

Your main options for getting around:

  • Personal car: whether you take your own or hire a car at your destination, this option is best suited to those who want complete freedom and are likely to be covering large distances with regular day trips. If you’re staying in a remote location then a personal car could be your only way to get about and prevent you from becoming a slave to infrequent bus services or pricey taxis.
  • Taxis: although these are not the most economical option they may prove vital for specific journeys. Travelling to and from the airport can often be a time sensitive affair where the benefits of a taxi really come into their own and similarly some areas deemed “less safe” than others can be an ideal time to use a taxi rather than risking other transport methods.
  • Public transport: often the best option for those visiting urban cities, public transport is usually the cheapest choice and one of the most efficient. Make sure you understand the ticket and payment system in your destination – some countries issue tickets that allow you to journey for a set amount of time rather than a set distance – and if you’re staying in the same city for a few days then look into travel passes and tourist tickets that allow you to use unlimited public transport services over a set number of days for a cheaper price. These usually cover a period of anything from 1 day to 1 week or even longer.

Where Will You Eat?

As well as the cost of physical travel, you also need to consider other expenses associated with your holiday. This includes the like of dining – one of the main entries on the Post Office’s Holiday Costs Barometer which ranks countries by their overall holiday affordability.

To keep your food bills under control while travelling, a few simple tips can go a long way:

  • Stock up for long journeys: you’ll be able to find large, cheap supermarkets and stores wherever you go on holiday so stock up on a few essentials and snacks to tide you over during long journeys. This is especially important if staying in remote areas or taking day trips to wider areas where shopping facilities may be limited.
  • Eat at your hotel: most hotels offer some form of food option when booking a room and it is important you consider this carefully. Opting for bed and breakfast or half-board accommodation can help you eliminate the cost of eating-out for every meal and there’s usually a pretty wide choice of foods on offer.
  • Eating out offers: many restaurants, both at home and abroad, offer deals and offers that help you eat out for less. Always look out for these and take advantage of them where necessary and remember to factor in additional costs – such as the price of alcohol and service charges or tips – into your calculations.

Bringing Your Financial Skills Back Home

With all this money saved on your holiday, it may be tempting to splash the cash when you return home – but don’t be tempted to undo all your hard work! Instead, bring your holiday savings tactics back home with you and apply them to everyday life to get the most out of your money.

Whether you’re looking for affordable retirement apartments for sale in your local area or simply want to cut to cost of your utilities to give you more money to spend on the things you love, there are plenty of ways in which you can achieve your aims and stick within budget.

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