Family Holiday on a Budget

Going on family holidays, particularly if you have school-age children can be expensive. In these difficult financial times more and more of us are looking to economize, particularly when it comes to leisure activities.

If you are prepared to be flexible on where and when you go on holiday you can still have a great time on a budget. With a little bit of research and planning there are a number of ways that you can keep costs to a minimum without forgoing your annual break.

Traveling in the UK

If you are staying in the UK then look out for deals on accommodation. Many holiday parks and camp sites periodically advertise discounts, some even in the school holidays. Alternatively, why not hire a cottage instead of staying in a hotel? You`ll have greater flexibility and will be able to cut back on the cost of eating out.

It can help to research what there is to do in the area that you will be visiting, in advance. You may be able to find discount codes or vouchers that will give you cheaper access to attractions. If you are staying in a seaside resort then make the most of the beach and sea and, if raining, any free museums in the area.

Traveling Outside the UK

Those traveling abroad will find that a lot of their budget is spent on flights and accommodation. If you are looking to go on a package holiday then it can sometimes pay to book last minute, as long as you can be flexible about where you want to go.

If you are traveling independently then make sure to check out both scheduled and charter flights offered by different airlines as there can be a difference in cost. Depending on your destination you will find that certain days and times of the week are often cheaper. You may have to get up very early to make the first flight of the day though!

When organizing your accommodation think about what is important to you. Is it the hotel facilities or proximity to the resort centre? Your budget will stretch further if you are prepared to stay a little out of town and you will generally find that you have better facilities.

Wherever you decide to holiday, there a number of steps that you can take to make sure that your trip matches your finances. Choose self catering accommodation over hotel accommodation to save on food costs, look out for low cost holidays voucher codes to get the best deal and research and plan activities before you travel. With a little thought you can still have a really great break without blowing your budget.