8 ways to save money on a family summer holiday

It’s almost the end of the academic year, which means it’s time to start thinking about ways to keep your children entertained over the long six-week holiday. However, as parents will know, the prices conveniently soar, particularly if you are looking to go on holiday.  

Obviously, taking your child out of school during term-time is severely frowned upon. So, here are some ways to avoid the sky-high prices and keep the costs down without taking your child out early:  

1. Plan Early

However, booking the best package holidays is considerably more complicated as there are many factors to take into account. Companies often change their prices and incentives regularly, so it can be hard to know exactly when you will get the best price. It is worth noting that bookings that offer ‘free’ child spaces can save you money, but it doesn’t always mean you’re getting the best (and cheapest) deal.  

2. ….particularly if you want a Staycation

If you’re thinking of having a staycation, it is just as important to book early. The vast majority of holiday homes by a National Park or near the sea will get booked up quickly, so it is vital to act fast. 

Booking early won’t save you any money, but you will have more choice and may even get more for your budget. If you book at the last-minute, you may be able to find a good value deal, however you will have considerably much less choice and will be selecting accommodation that no one else wanted – bear this in mind.  

Staycations aren’t always cheap, particularly in well-known locations. Therefore, look for holiday homes on the edge or outskirts of your ideal setting, or try a more less-known region, as this will inevitably result in fewer crowds and lower rental prices.  

3. Travel midweek

Midweek travel is not only nearly always cheaper than a weekend departure, it is also much more pleasant for families as airports and ferry ports are significantly quieter. 

This works well if you are heading to a hotel, because most self-catering accommodation tends to be rented on a Saturday to Saturday time frame. However, this isn’t the case for all. Look carefully for the exceptions and you could save yourself some money – and hassle! 

4. Travel late (rather than early)

Most families tend to go away at the very beginning of the summer holidays, towards the end of July. However, it is worth considering travelling at a different time, such as the last week of August. This time period usually offers some of the best values of the summer holidays – both in Britain and the Mediterranean. However, this changes often, so keep your eyes peeled for the best deals. 

5. Consider a home swap/Air BnB

If you live in a reasonably desirable area and are prepared to let others into your home, a home swap is a very cost-efficient way to arrange accommodation. To ensure you are covered, it is crucial that you use a reputable agency – some options include: Home Exchange or Home Link.  

Alternatively, other options include Air BnB, which can be considerably less than booking a hotel or renting a home. You can even rent your home out on the site whilst you are away, to earn some money back.  

6. Compromise on the pool

If you are looking for a rental home with a private pool, it may be worth compromising. Having a pool can add hundreds of pounds to the cost of a home for a variety of reasons, so if you are looking to save money, it may not be the best option. Instead, look for places to stay in close proximity to the beach, or a hotel with a pool where you can make use of your inflatable pool toys.  

7. Consider Spain, Portugal or France

The best chance of getting a good value holiday tends to lie where there is an abundance of availability. When looking for flights, it is clear that there are far more flights from various airports around Britain to Spain, Portugal and France than anywhere else in Europe – and this is where there is a vast selection of accommodation too.  

8. Save on car hire

Hire cars know exactly how to charge by catching you out with low advertising costs, and then catch you out with extra charges during the booking process or on arrival. To ensure you are getting the best deals, be sure to compare bottom-line prices rather than headline prices and look for advice on sites such as Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert.  

Alternatively, to save money altogether, you could get the ferry and use your own car to transport around. For example, if you live within a reasonable (and comfortable) distance of a south coast ferry port, the best value family holiday of all is likely to be a couple of weeks in Northern France. You can book a fairly cheap Channel crossing, a nice place to stay with plenty of room for the whole family and take your own car for around £1,000. 

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