UK holidaymakers are being warned over the duration of their trips this summer as spending 14 days in popular European destinations could be a costly mistake
UK holidaymakers planning to jet off to popular destinations such as Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy this summer have been advised to avoid booking traditional week-long or fortnight stays.
Travel expert Karen Williams from Eurocamp is urging Brits to think differently about their travel plans, stating: “There are lots of holiday providers which don’t have fixed departure or arrival days, so you can have complete flexibility over your travel dates.” She further suggested: “Have a play around with the length of your trip by a few nights either way and if you’re flying, choose a duration that allows you to get the best flight prices.”
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Ms Williams also recommended considering different modes of transport for potential savings, saying: “Whether it is putting the family in the car and hitting the motorways for a cross-country road trip, or opting for rail travel, looking for different modes of transport can get you some serious savings.”
Sharing accommodation costs with friends or family can also help save money, according to Williams. “A great tip is to split the cost of your accommodation with your mates or nearest and dearest as this can save you a fortune,” she advised. “Holiday homes are perfect for this, allowing you to book accommodation for a fixed price, not per person,” she added.
Williams also suggested that booking less conventional lengths of stay could lead to significant savings. By moving away from the standard seven, ten or fourteen-day bookings, travellers could carve out a unique holiday experience while saving on both flights and hotel bills, reports Birmingham Live.
“Looking at earlier or later in the season can help to keep costs down,” she said. “For those travelling with children, look for the latter weeks of the school holidays running up to September which tend to be cheaper than the main part of the school holidays. When travelling during these months, think carefully about the destinations. If you’re looking for sunshine, southern Europe is slightly hotter than more northern regions so you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors even during off-peak months.”
Ms Williams said: “You don’t need to go out to enjoy a good, filling meal and instead taste some local delicacies from the comfort of your own holiday home. You can even pack and bring your own food to your holiday home to ensure that the kids have all their favourite snacks.” She went on: “For the super organised, many travel providers will be bringing out their 2024 holidays over the coming months, so keeping an eye out for these can also help you save for next year too.”