AD Guest Post
After a winter trapped inside, most people are desperate to get away. Even just a few days away from work, somewhere the food tastes great and you don’t have to set your alarm. While the cost of living has obviously made going on holiday a lot more difficult for a lot of people, it can still be done on a budget. Here’s how to organise a truly affordable spring getaway no matter your holiday needs.
Travel off-peak
Now if you have kids, this one is a bit more difficult. If you don’t, then you absolutely need to make sure that you travel off-peak, so that you don’t end up paying extortionate prices.
Check when the easter holidays are, and when school half terms are, and avoid those general dates if you can.
In most cases, not only will most cheap flights be on a weekday – but accommodation options will likely be less on weekdays as well. Going off-peak won’t just end up being cheaper, you’ll also likely find your destination a lot less crowded as well – a true win-win situation.
Work backwards from a budget
If you’re watching the purse strings, then you need to make sure that you plan the getaway based on a strict budget.
Try to factor in as many things as possible, from the transport to and from the airport (if you’re flying) to tickets for any shows or concerts you want to go to while you’re away.
It’s best not to stretch yourself too far in the initial planning, keeping some extra cash aside for anything that you decide you absolutely need to do when you’re away, whether that’s scuba diving or a pasta-making course.
Cheap accommodation
One area where you can potentially make big savings is with your accommodation. If you’re less fussy about the kind of place you stay in, you can look for cheaper down rooms in hostels, or if it’s warm enough even stay in a campsite.
If you want a bit of a different experience, but you still want the comfort of a nice bed at night, then you can also look into housesitting.
There are a range of services that can help put you in contact with people who want someone to look after their house – and often their pet – while they’re away. These homes are often in beautiful places, and you don’t have to spend a penny on accommodation!
Be flexible
Lastly, just try to be as flexible as possible with your planning. Take a look at flight comparison websites and if you find a surprisingly affordable flight somewhere with sun and cheap food, just book it. If you start without any preconceived notion of where you’re going, you’ll be far more likely to find somewhere that’s as affordable as possible.
Holidays don’t have to be expensive, as long as you think outside of the box a little bit. By being flexible and going with the flow, you should be able to organise the perfect spring getaway, even if you are operating on a shoestring budget.
