6 ways to save money on a staycation

By Rebecca Hastings, Freelance Writer

We’re all in need of a holiday more than ever right now, but with the government advising against foreign travel this year, lots of us are looking at getaways within the UK.  There are plenty of advantages to a staycation – the environmental benefits of not flying chief among them – and they can also work out a lot cheaper than a holiday abroad would be.

At a time when lots of us are tightening our belts, you might feel as though you can’t afford a holiday at all – but there are a few things you can do to slash the cost of your staycation. So, whether you’re hiking in the Scottish Highlands or relaxing on Brighton beach, here are a few tips to get you inspired and ready to explore on a budget (watch our video for more budgeting tips).

Think outside the box

Before you make any decisions, decide what kind of break you want, as some are considerably cheaper than others. Perhaps you could go camping, take a cycling holiday, or even plan a combination of the two. As you won’t need to pay for transport or accommodation, you’ll cut the bulk of your staycation costs, and you’ll be able to see lots of beautiful places rather than sticking to one area. (Think how good your Instagram grid will look.)

Holidays like this can offer a real sense of freedom, adventure and accomplishment, and a staycation is a perfect opportunity to try them out – after all, if something goes awry, you’re never too far from home.

Don’t be a slave to hotel comparison sites

By all means, check Booking.com, Lastminute.com and similar websites for hotel deals – they often do have the best prices. They also offer free cancellation options, which provide peace of mind should your plans change.

But don’t stop there. Once you’ve found a reasonable price on one of these sites, ring up the hotel to check if you can get a better deal by booking directly with them – you often can.

Research your activities beforehand

Attractions such as museums, galleries and historical sites can be the priciest parts of a trip. It’s easy to feel obligated to do these things. Still, it’s worth thinking about whether or not you’ll enjoy them – how many times have you walked around an exhibition, pretending to look at paintings, but thinking about the big slice of lemon drizzle cake you’re going to order in the coffee shop afterwards?

Of course, if you want to visit these places, you should – but don’t feel as though you need to tick things off if you’re not all that interested, especially if the ticket prices are sky-high. There are plenty of other ways to soak up the essence of a place, and they’re often cheaper, or even free. Take a walk on the beach, browse a bookshop or get chatting to locals.

(For even more activity ideas click here…)

Think about your transport

A car is usually the cheapest option if there are more than two of you travelling, so if one of your party can drive, this might be your best bet. If no one owns a car, you could look into car rentals ­– which, for a group, will likely still be less costly than train or coach tickets. Thinking about buying a car?

If you are getting the train, you could look into splitting your tickets for a better price; which involves breaking your journey down into two or more parts with a separate ticket for each leg. To check if this is an option for your trip, visit Split My Fare.

Plan your meals

Part of the fun of going on holiday is trying out the restaurants and cafés, but if you’re away for a few days and eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the costs do start to add up. One way around this is to look for a hotel deal that includes a decent breakfast to get you set up for the day.

Alternatively, if you choose self-catering accommodation with a kitchen, such as an Airbnb, you where you can cook, sometimes, making dinner together can be just as much fun as going out. This option also allows you to make packed lunches that you can bring on day trips.

Go mid-week if you can

If you’ve got annual leave you can use up, consider a booking a mid-week staycation instead of a long weekend. Train or coach tickets and accommodation will almost certainly be cheaper – plus, you’ll avoid big crowds and long queues. Bliss.

@rebz_hastings