Holidays and travel
We spend all year looking forward to our holidays, so make sure you're getting the best deal you can.
Before you go
Save save save. If you know you're going on holiday well in advance you can put a little cash aside each month towards it. If you're off in a rush, make sure you have a plan on how you will pay for it all when you get back, and no, not eating for a month doesn't count.
How to complain about a holiday
Flight-only
There are many budget airlines that now offer cheap flights at the cost of all the frills (in-flight movies, meals). Take a book and a sandwich, or sleep your way through and you could save vast sums of cash.
The airports you fly to are often further away from the cities though; so do remember to include the train/bus fare to and from the airport as well as the flights when working out which way is cheaper.
You'll mostly get the best deals by booking way in advance, or by travelling mid week, however more expensive airlines may offer better deals at the last minute for long-haul destinations. Check out our guide to cheap flights.
Once you have the flights sorted you'll need to find some accommodation. Look in guidebooks for budget hotels, stay in hostels, crash with friends or go camping. There are lots of links on cheap European places to stay on the Guardian Travel site.
Package deals
These are basically holidays where you buy the accommodation and flights as one. You can save money this way but don't always know what you are getting for your cash. Always check the firm is reputable when booking with them and make sure they have an ATOL licence.
There are many budget airlines that now offer cheap flights at the cost of all the frills.
Most package deals will insist you have travel insurance, so shop around to get the best one for your needs. For instant quotes, use online comparison sites, such as moneysupermarket.com, gocompare.com or comparethemarket.com.
Going away at the last minute? Often you can find cheap package deals for flight and accommodation, rushing you off somewhere suitably sun-drenched in a matter of days. Try websites like Expedia and Lastminute.com, as well as travel agents and Teletext.
UK-based
Can't stretch to an overseas trip? You could always have a local holiday for local people, piling yourself and some mates into a car with a tent or two and head off to the coast to build sandcastles. Or if you're really skint, opt for a complete staycation and be a tourist in your own hometown.
Saving money when travelling
Whether you choose to stay in hostels, save on food costs and accommodation bills, hitch, or take a road trip; there are plenty of ways to cut costs on your holiday without limiting your fun. If you are going for a longer trip you may even want to consider working for part of the time.
Changing money
When changing money into another currency or travellers cheques you should look for commission-free exchanges wherever possible to save money. Several places offer this now, from the Post Office to high street banks and supermarkets, however many others still charge up to 2%, so always check before you buy.
Guardian Money has plenty of tips for avoiding charges when taking money abroad.
Travel Insurance
It's not glamorous and might seem like a bit of a waste of money but if you have an accident, your bag goes missing or you have to cancel your holiday at the last minute, it could save you thousands of pounds. Check out online comparison sites (see 'package deals') for the best deals.
