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Travel hacks to help save money on your holiday

Satisfy your travel craving while making your holiday budget go further.

If you need ideas to help you cut costs, hassle and enjoy a well-earned break, we can help with that.

Posted: 31/1/2022

a person packing a suitcase

Making your holiday money go further

Travelling on a budget shouldn't mean compromising on experiences.

At a time when making the most of your holiday funds is more important than ever, a bit of planning and some savvy strategies can help you enjoy a fulfilling break without breaking the bank.

From booking tips to on-the-ground savings, these travel hacks can help make your next trip both cost-effective and unforgettable.

Book smart

The time you can make the biggest saving on your trip abroad is when you book your travel. Here are a few things to think about right up front.

Compare prices and set alerts

One of the most effective ways to save on travel is by using price comparison tools. Websites like , ,  a²Ô»å  allow you to compare prices for flights, accommodations and car rentals across different providers.

If you set up alerts, you can also be notified when prices drop. This will help you secure the best deals without constantly monitoring the sites that offer them.

Book in advance but stay flexible

Last-minute deals can occasionally offer significant savings. But booking early usually gets you better rates, especially for flights and popular accommodation options.

The more flexible you can be the better. Consider travelling at off-peak times. Midweek flights and ‘shoulder seasons’ – the period between peak and off-peak – are often cheaper.

And, if you’re flexible on place as well as time, consider quieter alternatives to more popular and crowded destinations. Many offer a similar experience for a fraction of the cost.

Our City Costs Barometer, Holiday Money Report, Long Haul Report and Ski Report can help you find the best-value places to visit.

Alternative accommodation

Hotels aren’t your only accommodation option. Platforms like and offer a range of places to stay. From rooms in shared spaces to entire apartments and even unique stays in treehouses or houseboats, these options can not only be more affordable but also provide a more authentic experience.

Staying just outside major tourist areas can help you save money without sacrificing convenience, as public transportation in many cities is both reliable and affordable.

Read our guide: Is Airbnb safe?

Make the most of rewards programmes

If you travel a lot, airline and hotel loyalty programmes offer another way to save. You collect points with each booking, which you can redeem for discounts or free flights or stays. Some travel credit cards also accumulate points or miles when you make purchases with them, to put towards bookings.

Pre-travel preparations

With your trip booked, there are a few steps you can take when you’re preparing to travel that could save you money both while you do and after you arrive.

Pack light and smart

Overpacking isn’t just inconvenient. It can also lead to extra baggage fees. Stick to essential items and pack versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched. Use packing cubes or vacuum-sealed bags to make the most of space.

Read our guide: How to pack a suitcase

A great tip is to wear your bulkiest items, such as jackets and boots, on the plane to save space in your suitcase. If you're traveling with a carry-on only, make sure your liquids are within the airline's limits by transferring them to smaller containers.

Read our guide: what can I take on a plane?

Plan to stay connected

Preparing for how you’ll stay connected before you go can avoid hefty roaming charges.

If you plan to use lots of data, a travel eSim bundle will let you do so at local rates just by changing a setting in your phone. Or you can pick up a local sim card when you arrive.

Many destinations offer free Wi-Fi in public spaces, cafes and hotels. This can also help you avoid roaming charges. But take care what you use public networks for as they’re sometimes not as secure as private networks.

Apps like and Facebook Messenger (download or ) let you make free calls and send messages over Wi-Fi, saving on international calling fees.

With navigation apps like and (download or devices) you can take maps offline, to find your way even when you’re not connected.

Protect your trip

Using a credit card to pay for your trip can give you extra protection if something goes wrong, like if your trip gets cancelled or if someone tries to scam you.

Getting travel insurance when you book your trip means you’re financially protected if unexpected things the insurance covers happen before or during your trip.

Read our guide: when to buy travel insurance

Get your travel money sorted up front

If you buy foreign currency before you travel you can often get a better exchange rate than buying last minute at the airport. And having some local currency on hand can be useful for small purchases, tipping or emergencies. Read our travel money tips and guide to tipping abroad.

Carrying a prepaid travel card is a smart and secure way to manage your travel budget. You preload the card with any of multiple supported currencies, avoiding currency conversion fees and fluctuating exchange rates. They’re widely accepted and offer an extra layer of security. The 69ÌÃ Travel Money Card, for instance, isn’t linked to your bank account. And you can manage it and keep track of your spending with the free travel app.

Read our guide: Savvy holiday spending with the 69ÌÃ travel app

a person receiving a plate of food across a table

On-the-go savings

See if you have a lounge pass

Some credit cards or travel insurance policies come with access to airport lounges. If that includes free food and drink, it can save you lots on the price of snacks at the airport. And it could be especially welcome if your flight gets delayed.

Use public transport

In most cities, public transport is the cheapest way to get around. Buses, trams and metro systems can save you a lot compared with taxis or rental cars. Look for transport passes that offer unlimited travel for a set period. They’re often more cost-effective than individual tickets.

Eat like a local

Restaurants and cafés in tourist areas are notoriously expensive. For a more authentic, affordable and probably enjoyable experience, venture off the beaten path. Walking five minutes around the corner could reveal a café or bistro full of locals. And, if you’re not sure where to try, check review sites like to look up restaurants and reviews online.

Local markets, street food stalls and family-run restaurants often offer delicious meals at a fraction of the cost of tourist hotspots. If you have access to a kitchen, consider prepping some meals with local ingredients. You could also try social eating app such as . It enables you to join events hosted by locals in places all over the world.

Enjoy free and low-cost activities

You don’t have to pay a lot to have fun. Many destinations offer free or low-cost attractions.

Museums often have free entry days. Plenty of cities have free walking tours. And parks, beaches and even some historical sites can be enjoyed without the price tag.

Check local tourism websites. Ask your hotel or hosts about free or discounted activities they recommend. And check our annual travel money reports, which include average costs for attractions in destinations around the world.

Key takeaways

  • Book smart: Compare prices, set alerts and be flexible with your travel dates and destinations to get the best deals
  • Be prepared: Pack light, plan how you’ll stay connected for less, and get your travel money mix sorted early to avoid unnecessary costs
  • Save on the move: Take public transport, dine like the locals do, and make the most of free activities and attractions so your budget goes further
  • Stay protected: Make sure you have travel insurance that protects you on your travels and safeguards against the unexpected

Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing you've made the most of your holiday budget.

Protect yourself against unexpected costs and more on holiday

More tips and common questions

    • Roll up your clothes instead of folding them. By using this packing hack, you’ll be able to get much more in your suitcase and there will be fewer creases
    • Keep a copy of all important documents, such as your passport, in case they get lost or stolen. Better still, take a digital picture of the documents and email the images to yourself. If you’re travelling with someone, share it with them. Perhaps someone back home too, just in case
    • A top travel hack for the snappy dresser: roll up your belts and pack them inside the collars of your shirts to keep them stiff and crease-free 
    • If you take prescription medications, pack enough for an extended trip in case you're delayed. Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your GP too. Some medicines are prohibited overseas and you may need to prove they’re for you
    • Empty contact lens cases are great for carrying small amounts of liquids, make-up or lotions instead of taking the whole jar

    Read our full holiday packing and pre-travel checklist article

    • Keep digital copies of important documents. Scan or take photos of your passport, travel insurance, and other crucial documents and store them securely on your smartphone or in the cloud 
    • Stay updated on travel advice. Check the  or sign up for real-time updates on any travel alerts or restrictions
    • Manage your expenses. Set a daily budget and track your spending using budgeting apps or simple spreadsheets. This will help you stay on track and avoid overspending
    • Mark your hold luggage as ‘Fragile’. Airport staff will take better care of your cases and it’s more likely they’ll be first off the flight when you’re waiting in baggage reclaim 
    • If there’s a choice of queue, either at check-in or security, choose the line on the left. Research shows most people are right-handed and tend to turn to the right first. This leaves left-hand queues less busy 
    • Take a fully charged portable battery to make sure your phone and gadgets don’t run out of power in the airport or on the flight. And don’t forget to insure your devices 
  • To save on flights, start by using price comparison websites like or . Set up price alerts to be notified of any drops in ticket prices. Booking during off-peak times, such as midweek or outside of holiday seasons, can also result in lower fares. Consider flying to alternative airports or using budget airlines but check for any hidden fees.

    • Pay in the local currency.
    • When paying by card abroad you may get asked whether you want to pay in sterling or the local currency. Always go for the latter to save on conversion fees  
    • Use a translation app to understand signs, instructions and menus.  is free and can even translate words viewed through your phone’s camera in real time
    • Forgot your power adapter? If you forget a plug adapter to recharge your phone/camera/iPad, check the back of your hotel TV. Most modern sets will have a USB port you can use
  • See more FAQs
  • The best way to manage money while traveling is to use a mix of cash and cards. It's worth carrying some local currency for small purchases and tips. At 69ÌÃ, you can order foreign currency online to collect in branch or get it delivered to your home. Selected branches hold stocks of a number of different currencies in stock to meet your needs, including 7,000 where you can buy euro notes. And you can order any of the more than 60 currencies we offer in selected branches too.

    For larger transactions, use a prepaid travel card or credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. Always choose to pay in the local currency to avoid unfavourable conversion rates. Additionally, keep track of your spending with a budgeting app to avoid overspending.

  • Always read the fine print before confirming your reservation. Check for extra charges such as resort or parking fees. Do they charge extra for Wi-Fi and other amenities?

    Booking directly with your accommodation instead of through third-party sites can sometimes help you avoid these fees. Some booking platforms let you filter search results to show the total cost up front, including taxes and fees.

  • Budget-friendly destinations often include countries where the cost of living is lower than in the UK. Eastern European countries like Hungary, Poland and Bulgaria offer great value for money.

    Destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia are also known for being budget friendly. Consider South American countries like Peru and Bolivia too.

    Our City Costs Barometer gives a view where on the continent your money may go further. And our Holiday Money Report and Long Haul Report includes breakdowns of common holidaymaker costs in destinations further afield.

  • This depends on the destination and the type of tour. For popular attractions or during peak travel seasons, it's often better to book in advance. But for more flexible, local tours, you might find better deals by booking on arrival, especially if you’re comfortable negotiating prices.

  • While it’s tempting to be generous while you’re on holiday – especially when you’re using unfamiliar money – those lavish tips will soon add up. You’ll regret them when you’re about to buy a drink for the flight home and realise the last of your cash went on a tip. 

    Find out  how much it’s polite to tip in the country you’re visiting and stick to it. 

Related travel products

  • Travel money

    Order foreign currency online or in selected branches. Pick up in any branch or get it delivered to your home

  • Travel money card

    One prepaid Mastercard® that stores up to 22 currencies and can be managed on the go with our travel app

  • Passport Check & Send

    Get your application for a first or renewed passport right first time with our digital and paper Passport Check & Send services for adults and children

69ÌÃ Travel Money Card is an electronic money product issued by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd pursuant to license by Mastercard International. First Rate Exchange Services Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with number 4287490 whose registered office is Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9DF, (Financial Services Register No. 900412). Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.