Seeing the world on a budget may not be easy in this day and age but there are things you can do to save yourself a few extra euros on the way
We’re never more conscious of saving money than we are directly after Christmas. Unfortunately, we’re probably never in need of a holiday more than at that time as well!
So, how do get what we want without going over budget? Well, while we don’t recommend going into debt to get a bit of warmth on your skin, there are several steps you can take to make the money you have stretch even further.
Here is some advice from travel insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk if you’re keen to explore new places without breaking the bank in 2025.
All inclusive versus self-catered
When it comes to booking your 2025 trip, it is important to make an informed decision about whether it would actually work out cheaper for you to choose all inclusive, half-board or self-catered. While all inclusive may be the best route for larger groups or families, couples may actually find they spend less money by catering for themselves and shopping around for low-cost restaurants in their holiday destination.
Withdrawing foreign currency
When taking out cash at an ATM machine abroad, always select the option to withdraw in the local currency or else you could be charged for a higher exchange rate. The same goes for spending money – if given the chance, choose to spend money in the local currency on card machines. Also, be on the lookout for tampered machines and if possible use ATMs at local bank branches for extra security.
Make the most of leftover currency
Rather than leaving leftover currency in a drawer or bag to be forgotten about, change it back into euro and make the most of it. Alternatively, pack it away with your passport to be re-used for your next trip.
Avoid being caught out by travel scams
Being aware of popular scams in your holiday destination is essential for keeping your money safe. When you are on holiday, make sure to use taxi ranks where possible and check the cabs are licensed. There should be a list of destinations with estimated costs at the taxi rank for tourists as a guide, if not, either agree a price before you get in or check the meter is at zero then starts to run as your journey starts. Also, make sure to do your homework on local restaurants and stick to those with a large volume of positive reviews.
Don’t forget about tourist tax
When budgeting for your trip, make sure to research tourist tax in that area so you can be prepared for the additional costs. Recently, many countries have actually raised their fees for tourists. Visitors in Paris may find themselves paying up to €14.95 a night – while Venice has introduced a trial for visitors to pay a €5 entry fee to the city during daytime hours, including additional costs for anyone staying in the city overnight.
Plan travel during the offseason
In order to score the cheapest flights and accommodation, be flexible with your travel dates. If you are able to travel outside of peak season (June to August), you will often be able to find the most affordable options, skip the crowds and avoid paying the premium. However, travelling within peak season can also be made more affordable by looking for flights at less popular times, like early weekday mornings.
Exchange money before getting to the airport
It might seem convenient and time efficient to change your money into the local currency whilst waiting at the airport, but there are often hefty service fees added on top.
Staycation insurance
No holiday is completely risk free, and travel insurance can help to avoid incurring costs if something were to go wrong. Cancellations, lost or damaged belongings and other hiccups leave those without travel insurance vulnerable. The decision to get travel insurance for a staycation depends a lot on your personal preferences, the nature of your staycation plans, and the level of risk the holiday includes. Take the time to weigh up the coverage provided against the cost of the insurance.
