The thought of booking a holiday in the school summer holidays can make you break out in a cold sweat. The higher cost, the busyness and the heat can all make the thought of going away in the summer less than appealing. But, for many, it’s the only chance you get of a break away. So how do you get a great deal?
Book in advance
With many of the big name travel agents offering direct debits and low deposits, this can be a great way to budget for your holiday. Having a monthly direct debit allows you to budget through the year, rather than having to find a single large lump sum.
Many also offer free child places, which can bring the cost down as well.
Single parent discounts
If you’re a single parent, it can be stupidly frustrating that you’re not eligible for free child places. But many tour operators do offer a discount of some kind.
Jet2 offer £50 off, Thomas Cook offer single parent rooms and other offers and Tui also have some deals. Check out single parent travel sites, but also go into your tour operator. Sometimes it’s cheaper to book as two adults to avoid the underoccupancy rate.
Discounts
The Sun coupons for cheap holidays are a great way to bag a holiday. They go quickly and you can’t afford to be picky, but you can get a great deal.
Also check the discount sites.
MumsNet offer a 5% discount at Hoseasons, which can add up on a high-price summer holiday.
HotUkDeals is a great place to check for discount codes and don’t forget sites like
TopCashBack and
Quidco.
Vouchercodes is also a great site for finding a deal.
Last minute
Last minute bookings can be a great way of getting a deal. If you’re able to be flexible on dates or not fussy about where you go, you can pick up some amazing deals. It’s also worth checking sites like
SkyScanner to see when flight prices are likely to go up.
Change your airport
While traveling from your local airport can be easier, it can also add hundreds of pounds to your holiday. Mock up your break looking at different airports and see if you can get a better deal. But, clear your cookies after each option. If not, each time you look the cost will go up.
Sometimes it’s cheaper to book in at a hotel the night before and fly from a further afield airport than it is to fly local. Often park and fly deals can mean that this only costs a few pounds more than the airport parking.
