UCAS
Create a budget:
Before you start looking at flights and dreaming of 5* holidays, take a look at your finances and be realistic with what you can actually afford. If you’re looking for
a summer escape with your mates, agree how much you can spend on flights and accommodation before you decide on where to go. If you’re travelling for a long time don’t forget to budget for three meals a day, transportation to and from the airport, visas, keepsakes, entry fees to attractions and a new passport if it’s about to expire.
Plan in advance but remain flexible:
Travelling around the time the schools break up is the most expensive time to get away. Last minute deals do exist, but by far the cheapest way of travelling is to book months in advance. You’ll snap up some gorgeous accommodation on the cheap by doing this. Flights get more expensive closer to the date of travel, so don’t leave it too late to book. Flying direct can be the most expensive way to get anywhere. Indirect flights can often be far cheaper if you’re prepared to add a couple of extra hours to your journey.
Compare before you commit:
It’s easy to get swept up in the moment once you’ve found where you want to go, but always remember to compare the price of your flights and accommodation to make sure you can’t get your holiday cheaper. Sites like Skyscanner and Trivago compare prices of lots of different sites and will also check to see if booking direct would be cheaper too. There are so many different accommodation options out there - consider trying sites like Airbnb or Couchsurfing for some really great deals if all you need is a bed for the night and plan to be out and about during the day.
Check for discounts:
Students often get exclusive deals, so it’s worth checking to see if you can get more money off with your NUS card or use sites like STA Travel for student discounts.
Compare rates of your travel money:
Lots of travellers forget to factor in the cost of buying foreign currency. If you leave this to the last minute it could end up costing you far more than you’d bargained for. Compare travel money rates online to see where you can get the most for you money. Airports are the most expensive places to exchange your cash - even if you’ve left it to the last minute, book your currency online to secure better rates and pick it up at the airport.
Beat no frills:
Cheap flights usually mean no frills - no food, no checked baggage and no in-flight entertainment. But there is no reason you can’t beat all this by downloading films onto your mobile before you go, taking your own snacks with you for the flight and making sure your luggage is small enough to fit in the overhead lockers. You won’t be able to take liquids through security but if you take a reusable flask and ask a restaurant at the airport to fill it up with water for you, you won’t have to buy expensive drinks at the terminal or on the plane.
Cheap flights usually mean no frills - no food, no checked baggage and no in-flight entertainment. But there is no reason you can’t beat all this by downloading films onto your mobile before you go, taking your own snacks with you for the flight and making sure your luggage is small enough to fit in the overhead lockers. You won’t be able to take liquids through security but if you take a reusable flask and ask a restaurant at the airport to fill it up with water for you, you won’t have to buy expensive drinks at the terminal or on the plane.
Take food with you:
If you’re on a really tight budget take food with you. Dried noodles, soups and tea bags are all light weight and as long as you have a kettle in your accommodation you’ll save yourself money on expensive meals out.
If you’re on a really tight budget take food with you. Dried noodles, soups and tea bags are all light weight and as long as you have a kettle in your accommodation you’ll save yourself money on expensive meals out.
Get cheaper travel insurance:
An annual multi-trip travel insurance policy can be cheaper than buying on the spot insurance for a single trip - so even if you only plan to travel once this year double check a multi-trip insurance policy wouldn’t work out cheaper.
Paying with a debit card when you’re abroad:
Before using your debit card abroad always check what fees you’ll have to pay. Some banks don’t charge at all for transactions or withdrawing cash abroad, others charge a withdrawal fee, foreign loading fee or purchase fee. The worst accounts charge all three fees and the percentage will be high. If you plan to be away for a long time, you might want to consider switching your current account to a travel friendly one.
Paying with a credit card when you’re abroad:
Using your regular credit card abroad may mean a fee per transaction which can really add up. If you want to use plastic abroad look for interest free travel credit cards which don’t charge any fees and offer a near perfect exchange rate. Just make sure you pay the balance off when you return home. This way your money will be safe, you won’t worry about carrying rolls of cash and paying in the local currency means you’re likely to get a better rate.
Paying with a pre-paid travel card when you’re abroad:
Ordering a prepaid travel card and loading it with what you’ve budgeted for well in advance of your travels means you’ll get a rate you’re happy with, you won’t pay foreign transaction fees when you use it, your money will be safe and you won’t overspend or be left with debts to pay off when you return. Some cards may charge you an initial set up or loading fee but not all of them do, so shop around for the best deal.