For many of us, getting away on holiday is absolutely crucial. They offer us a chance to get away from the stresses of our busy lives, take some time to ourselves, and get some real perspective. Not only that, holidays also give us the opportunity to experience other cultures, where we can learn more about the world and ourselves.
Despite cheap air travel options making holidays more accessible than ever before, they can still be prohibitively expensive for many people. It’s not just the flights that can prove to be a financial barrier, hotel prices and just general holiday expenses can be too much for some. However, what if there was a way to keep costs low and holiday on budget? Thankfully, there is. Keep reading to find out more.
Get Travel Insurance
Despite our best efforts and no matter how careful we are, accidents can and do happen. This is true when we’re on holiday as well, where accidents or illness can often have far more serious implications.
We can’t rely on being able to access free healthcare wherever we are, health services work in various ways in different countries. Getting insured is crucial, even more so if you are travelling with a pre-existing condition where things could go wrong and an unexpected medical bill could appear. Check out travel insurance with medical cover, this can work to cover medical expenses that you should face should you have an accident or fall ill when you are abroad.
Work Out A Budget
One of the most effective methods you can use to ensure that your holiday is cost-effective is to draw up a detailed budget. Think about all the costs involved in your holiday, this should include one-off outlays like flights and accommodation, as well as other daily expenses like food and drinks.
Working this all out ahead of time can give you an idea of how much a holiday is likely to cost and whether or not it is actually financially viable. Don’t forget to leave yourself some money to enjoy yourself or treat yourself to something on a whim, obsessive penny-pinching can make a holiday more stressful than it needs to be. Additionally, ensure you leave some emergency money aside, it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Compare Deals
Generally speaking, some of your biggest holiday expenditures are going to be on the flights and accommodation. The most effective way to keep these costs low is by doing proper planning and research.
For flights, check the prices for different airlines and check if flying on a particular date or time of day is cheaper. You might find indirect flights are more cost-effective, although this will involve changing planes at a layover airport.
To find the best hotel, compare a number of different locations at your chosen destination. Watch out for any deals or special offers and check to see if the hotel is cheaper at certain times of year. If you are determined to stay somewhere luxurious, high prices are usually unavoidable. However, you can make serious savings if you are willing to stay in more rugged accommodation.
Conclusion
Don’t assume that taking a holiday abroad is reserved for those of us with a lot of disposable income. The reality is that you can have an incredible holiday experience for relatively little expense, all it takes is a bit of research, planning and preparation. Make sure you get travel insurance ahead of time, work out a budget, and compare prices of flights and hotels to ensure you keep the costs down to a minimum.
