Cymraeg

After the past two years of lockdowns and restrictions we’re all desperate to get away this summer. I for one have just got back from a week in Lanzarote and have a number of trips planned touring Europe… all planned on a budget.  

Here are some tips and tricks to help you jet off into the sun without breaking the bank… 

Firstly, set yourself a budget. 

Consider the total amount that you are prepared to spend on your trip and allocate this between all your holiday expenses. But what are you going to need to pay for?  

Here’s a breakdown of costs for my recent trip:  

Flights (£60.98): with WizzAir via SkyScanner 

Skyscanner is a perfect site comparing the cost of all fares between your chosen airports and dates.  

Kayak and TravelSupermarket are also great places to browse the cheapest deals. Booking late invariably reduces prices and traveling light with just minimal luggage reduces costs significantly too! 

Accommodation (£246.41): room only, booked through last minute.com 

Lastminute.com have a great hotel as well as package holiday search tool that can help find the best resorts, B&B’s or villas for your trip away.  

If you are looking for something more private, then AirBnB also have some great and affordable choices that are worth a look!  

Airport Transfer (£10.54): booked in advance through the Holiday Extras app 

For reassurance I booked this in advance, which also worked out much cheaper than a local taxi! I was amazed with how smoothly both drop-off and pick-up trips were organised and arranged. Holiday Extras gives you all the details ready for your journey as well as offering airport parking and car rental options if you need these too. 

Excursions (£73.00): an organised tour around the island and all it’s landmarks booked through Musement (part of TUI)  

Musement are one of many companies that offer sightseeing trips, landmark excursions, and day trips around the globe. Whether you are looking for a sunset catamaran or a culture-filled tour, these are a fantastic way to explore your holiday spot. Viator and Get Your Guide also provide a similar service, so it is worth comparing prices across these sites.   

Food and Drink (£20 a day/£100 in total):
I found Lanzarote reasonably priced especially with so many eateries vying for tourists’ custom. Money Crashers provide some general rules of thumb for eating while on holiday – including buying snacks from local supermarkets and trying out the street food. I found by searching travel review sites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor you can filter options by price as well as get an idea of which menus or settings you’ll prefer.  It's also worth fuelling up before heading to the airport for your return flight as airport prices can be extreme!  

Insurance:
Lots of holiday companies will try to sell you insurance policies as you book your trip but it’s worth shopping around to find the best deals. Make sure you look through small print to see what is included in terms of luggage and electronic devices as well as cancellations and changes to bookings or flights. If you’re planning to travel a lot or to multiple countries it may also be worth paying for an annual policy that will cover all of your trips.  

Extras

You may also want to consider spending money for any souvenirs or gifts, as well as unexpected costs or transport while your away (my flights were cancelled and changed on the way back, so I had some unexpected taxi fares I needed to cover – always worth taking extra!) 

Next, pick where to go.  

Depending on what sort of holiday you are looking for, from sun loungers, museums, or water sports adventures… weigh up the costs of different destinations.  

Spoilt for choice and don’t know where to start? Student Universe have a whole host of global travel blogs to give you a flavour for and help you find your perfect destination but a Google or Instagram location search of any resort or area will help you get a feel for the place and is how I found my perfect destinations.  

Be flexible about your trip? 

Once you start researching your holiday, you may notice that changing the dates or times of your flight and stay may make a significant difference to the overall cost.?? 

Evening flights tend to be more reasonably priced, while mid-week check-ins tend to cost less.?? 

Booking late can also offer better deals as can travelling in the last two weeks of the holidays or off-season if possible, so think about when is best to take that trip away.?? 

Consider all-inclusive and package holidays  

In some locations all-inclusive stays can provide better value. Including food, snacks and drinks, these are a simple and effective way to get a good deal. I’ve been to some great ones in Portugal and Tunisia in the past that put on a great spread of food each day! 

Similarly, Money Saving Expert say package holidays offer the best protection and insurance in the case of cancellation or changes to your trip. They can also be cheaper if you book a 10-14 day trip. 

However, if you’re looking for longer or shorter stays in less visited spots, a city-break or a multi-stop holiday then booking each part individually is likely more cost effective.?? 

Some final tips 

• Double-check whether the country that you’re flying in to has any specific Covid restrictions or requirements. I found that travelling to Spain you must either have a complete Covid Passport or fill in a health control form (although I was not asked about this and it was not checked when I landed). 
• Research exchange rates before you go. Zurich recommend the best deals are often online. 
• Sometimes it is a good idea to take cash to help stick to your budget and avoid the up to 3% exchange charges from using bank cards abroad. However, if you don’t feel safe carrying cash – Monzo is an online bank who don’t charge when using your cards while away! 
• Lastly, switch off your data roaming! Unless you know that foreign roaming is included within your contract, this can incur some rather hefty and unexpected charges! Many hotels, restaurants and cafes offer free WI-FI to customers if you need to get online, but taking a break from web is a great way to recharge and look after your wellbeing. 

Emily Clubley, Final Year Student, School of Business