Despite the persistent price hikes, Brits are not giving up their holidays. In fact, recent surveys reveal that up to 51% of respondents are still planning to travel abroad. The same studies reveal that this choice to prioritise holidays overseas is taking a financial toll.
Over half of respondents said that doing so requires that they dip into their savings. Meanwhile, another quarter admit they’ve had to cut back on other expenses. 12% of these individuals even said they’ve hit pause on home improvement and car purchases in order to accommodate a trip overseas.
Going abroad should be a rewarding experience that doesn’t come at the cost of your financial security. If you’re planning to travel out of the country yourself, it’s important to know that there are ways to have a fun trip without compromising your budget. Thankfully, while costs in your host country are out of your control, there are ways to help you save money even before you fly out.
Opt for cheap plane tickets
Despite their affordable fares, lower-priced flights can offer you the same efficiency and reach at a fraction of the cost. In fact, some of today’s most popular cheap flights fly to in-demand destinations with prices starting as low as £17.99. This includes places like Austria, Bulgaria, Egypt, Greece, and Italy to name a few. Such reasonably priced direct flights are also available in round trip options, so you’re not forced to splurge on connections or expensive return tickets to the UK. If you want to cut down your costs even further, you can book with handle online features, such as the Low Fare Finder on easyJet. Doing this will help you streamline your booking process by showing you the cheapest tickets, which may be flying to even more affordable destinations. Should you go this route, you can find yourself in a stunning but budget-friendly destination where your money will go longer.
Invest in travel insurance
It may seem counterproductive to buy an additional service like insurance but think of this as an investment that saves you from further costs. The truth is that while holidays are meant to be relaxing, lots of things can go wrong. You could get sick, you could lose your luggage, or you could experience sudden delays or cancellations. All of these events will inevitably cost you, but it’s safe to assume that related fees can be astronomical if you’re visiting another high-priced nation. As such, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a first-timer, you shouldn’t leave without travel insurance. Providers like Travel-Insurance Irish explain that these plans cover the aforementioned issues, plus others, so you have the peace of mind to focus on your trip. That said, since you want to be mindful of your budget, ensure that the travel insurance you sign up for is single travel insurance rather than the annual kind. This is usually more affordable as it only covers you for a shorter period of time, which is perfect for casual holidaymakers anyway.
Try visiting visa-free countries
Visas are a necessity for most countries as a means of officially showing that a visitor can legally enter a country. Now, visas are not free, and their prices can vary depending on the country. For instance, a visa to China for a UK citizen ranges between £100 to £180. With that said, visas can surely bloat your travel expenses. So, unless you absolutely must holiday in a visa-requiring country, try visiting one that doesn’t need one. The good news is that the UK passport is one of the strongest, so most countries don’t require Brits to acquire a visa before arrival. That said, some of these visa-free countries still require visitors to present their valid travel health insurance plans, which should be no problem if you follow the tip above!
