Best Money Saving Tips for Travellers: How to Holiday on Less in the UK
Published 21st of April 2017·Updated 10 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
The biggest savings on a holiday come before you leave: choosing the right booking platform, travelling light to avoid hold luggage fees, and sorting your currency in advance rather than at the airport. Done well, these steps can reduce the total cost of a trip by £200 to £500 per person.
Short Summary
Booking flights and accommodation separately rather than as a package often saves money, particularly if you use flexible platforms such as Skyscanner for flights and Booking.com or Airbnb for accommodation. Compare both approaches before committing.
Airport currency exchange desks offer some of the worst exchange rates available. Ordering currency in advance from the Post Office or using a specialist travel card such as Wise or Starling eliminates this cost entirely.
Avoiding hold luggage by packing only hand luggage can save £30 to £80 per person per flight on budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet. Wear your bulkiest clothing on travel days to maximise what you can carry on board.
When paying abroad, always choose to pay in the local currency rather than in pounds sterling. Paying in GBP triggers dynamic currency conversion, which typically adds 3 to 5 per cent to every transaction.
How do you find the cheapest flights and hotels?
Use flexible-date search tools to find the cheapest days to fly. Skyscanner's "Whole Month" view shows the cheapest day within any given month at a glance. Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are consistently cheaper than Friday or Sunday departures on most European routes.
For accommodation, compare Booking.com, Airbnb, Hotels.com and the hotel's own website. Hotels often price-match or beat third-party sites when you book directly, and sometimes include extras such as breakfast or a room upgrade. Airbnb is particularly strong for longer stays of a week or more, where weekly discount rates apply automatically.
| Booking approach | Best for | Potential saving vs last-minute booking |
|---|---|---|
| Flights booked 6 to 8 weeks ahead | European short-haul | 20 to 40 per cent |
| Flexible-date search (Skyscanner) | Budget-conscious travellers | 15 to 30 per cent |
| Direct hotel booking | Mid-range and luxury hotels | 5 to 15 per cent |
| Airbnb weekly rate | Stays of 7 nights or more | 10 to 20 per cent vs nightly rate |
How do you save money at the airport?
Airport food, drink and shops are consistently among the most expensive places to spend money in the UK. Bring your own food. Liquids over 100ml cannot go through security in hand luggage, but solid food and snacks are permitted. Filling a bag with sandwiches, snacks and an empty water bottle (which you fill after security) can save £15 to £25 per person on a standard departure.
If you are flying with a budget airline such as Ryanair or easyJet, check the baggage policy carefully before packing. Paying for hold luggage at the airport gate costs significantly more than pre-booking it online. Avoid paying for seat selection where possible; most airlines will assign seats free of charge at check-in if you decline to pay.
What is the cheapest way to get foreign currency?
Order currency online and collect from a Post Office branch, or use a specialist travel money comparison site such as Travel Money Club or Compare Holiday Money to find the best rate. Rates at airport bureaux de change are typically 5 to 10 per cent worse than the mid-market rate.
A better option for regular travellers is a specialist travel card or account. Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Starling Bank both convert currency at the mid-market rate with no added margin. Starling charges no foreign transaction fees on debit card spending abroad, making it one of the cheapest ways to pay when overseas.
Is it cheaper to holiday in the UK than abroad?
For a short break of two to three nights, the UK often competes well on cost, particularly once flights and airport costs are removed from the equation. Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District and North Wales all offer scenery and activities comparable to many European destinations, with no currency exchange costs and no risk of flight disruption.
For holidays of a week or more, the calculation shifts. A week in Spain or Portugal, booked in advance, can be cheaper all-in than a week in a UK coastal resort during school holidays, when UK accommodation prices peak.
How do you avoid overspending when you are abroad?
Set a daily cash budget before you travel and withdraw only that amount each day, rather than carrying a large sum. Use a Starling or Wise card for card payments to avoid foreign transaction fees. Keep a note of your spending each day in the currency of the country you are visiting, not in pounds, so you are tracking costs accurately in real time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best travel money card to use abroad?
Starling Bank and Wise are consistently rated the best for avoiding fees. Both use the mid-market exchange rate with no markup and charge no foreign transaction fees. Starling is a full current account; Wise is a specialist travel account that supports multiple currencies. Both are available free of charge to UK residents.
When is the cheapest time to book a holiday?
For European summer holidays, the cheapest window is typically between January and mid-March. Flights and accommodation both tend to rise in price as summer approaches. For last-minute deals, the two weeks immediately before departure can sometimes offer reductions, but this approach carries the risk of limited availability.
How do I avoid paying for hold luggage on budget airlines?
Pack everything into a bag that meets the airline's hand luggage dimensions. Ryanair and easyJet both publish their maximum bag sizes on their websites. Wearing bulky items such as trainers, jackets and jumpers rather than packing them frees up significant space. Roll clothing tightly to reduce volume.
Is it safe to pay by card abroad?
Yes, provided you use a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees. Most standard UK debit and credit cards add a foreign transaction fee of 1.5 to 3 per cent on every overseas purchase. A Starling or Wise card eliminates this cost. Always choose to pay in the local currency, not pounds, when given the option.
What are the best UK staycation destinations for value?
The Welsh coast, the Scottish Borders, the North Yorkshire Moors and Northumberland all offer excellent value compared to popular spots such as Cornwall and the Cotswolds during peak season. Booking self-catering accommodation rather than a hotel reduces costs further and gives you the option to cook your own meals.