Simple travel hack that could help you land a ‘bargain’ summer holiday in 2024

A travel expert on the hunt for bargain summer vacations has shared some of her latest hacks for saving money on seasonal getaways. And it’s as simple as shortening or extending your vacation.

Chelsea Dickenson, the brains behind Cheap Holiday Expert, regularly shares tips, tricks and advice for anyone looking for a bargain holiday in the UK or abroad.

With the summer season upon us, many Brits will be looking to flock further afield for sun, sea and sand. With the onslaught of summer school holidays, the demand for sun-filled adventures is pretty high, but luckily Chelsea has shared her top tips for getting a bargain.

While you may already be doing some of these, there are some lesser-known tips to try, and if money is a pressing issue on your mind, try going against the grain when looking for your next vacation destination.

Vacation for an “irregular” period.

The former may go against the grain, but Chelsea suggests going on holiday for “an irregular period of time”. Most people book a holiday for seven, ten or 14 days, but you can save money if you opt for eight days instead of a week.

You could save some valuable pennies by extending your trip by just a day or two. This could affect the price of your flights and you can get a better rate for accommodation.

Stay away from popular destinations

There are a number of holiday destinations popular with British tourists, particularly those heading to Spain, Italy, France and Greece. This doesn’t mean you should avoid the countries altogether, but you might opt ​​for a “hidden gem” location.

Writing on her website, Chelsea says: “So for Spain, swap the islands and head inland to the gorgeous Andalusian hills for stunning scenery and much cheaper prices.”

There are also a number of other European countries that have just as much to offer. So if you want to stay away from the influx of British travelers, consider Albania, Bulgaria and Montenegro.

The city escapes

It can be tempting to head straight for a beach getaway during the summer season, but that’s not always the cheapest option. Chelsea explains that from her own experience, she was able to snag a bargain vacation by heading to a city destination instead.

She says city breaks are usually more popular during the shoulder season (the transition period between peak and off-peak travel seasons), but when the school holiday season starts, these destinations can be overlooked . Europe has plenty of cities (capitals or otherwise) to choose from, so there will always be something to suit your requirements.

Last minute getaways

Sometimes booking your holidays this far in advance can save you some pennies, but in other cases, you can get a cheap deal right at the last minute. A number of tour operators offer last-minute packages, hotels and flights for certain dates at a discounted price.

Go in with an open mind about where you want to go and what you want from your vacation. Check around different sites to see how prices compare between providers.

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