Natasha OrmeTravelling with a little one isn’t cheap, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise. But over the years we’ve picked up a handful of habits that keep the cost down without making the holiday feel like a compromise. None of them are life-changing on their own, but together they add up to a lot. Here’s what we actually do.
1. We don’t travel at the weekends
The cheapest flights are almost always mid-week. If you search for a Friday to Friday trip, you’ll often pay noticeably more than for the same trip running Tuesday to Tuesday. So we keep our dates flexible and let the prices decide.
I know that’s easier said than done when you work full-time, because leave has to be booked around work. But even shifting by a day or two can make a difference. I’ll often start with the flexible calendar search on a website like Kayak.com to determine the best date combination for flying before doing anything else.
2. We shop around for the best deal
A lot of research goes into a holiday before we book anything. We compare different dates and different sites, and we check direct bookings against third-party ones.
My routine is to use a comparison site to spot the cheapest option, then check whether the airline or hotel will match or beat it when booked directly. Sometimes it does, and booking direct usually makes things simpler if plans change. But, often, the third party wins on price (especially when we factor in cashback…more on that in a minute).
3. We don’t always buy a package deal
Package holidays often sound like a good deal, and sometimes they are. But not always. We’ll look at package options but will also price the flights and hotel separately to see which route saves the most.
Depending on how you book a package deal, they can sometimes come with extra financial protection if something goes wrong, which booking separately doesn’t give you in the same way. This is the difference between TUI’s holiday guarantee and independently managing hotels and flights. That doesn’t mean a package is better, but it’s worth weighing up alongside the price. Good travel insurance matters more if you’re piecing things together yourself.
It’s also worth noting that this entirely depends on the type of holiday you’re booking. If you’re planning to visit multiple places, then a package deal probably isn’t the best choice. Having said that, we’ve managed to snag some insane package deals to the US and used that hotel as a base while having mini trips to other locations, all because the hotel was basically free.
4. We use cashback sites
We’ve been using TopCashback for years and I honestly don’t know where we’d be without it. On average, we get around £200 cashback per holiday, mostly from hotels and airport parking.
And this is where the direct vs third-party argument comes in, because 10-15% cashback on a deal through a third party means the overall cost might be cheaper than a 5% discount direct.
A few quick tips so you don’t miss out:
- Click through the cashback site before you book, not after.
- Do your cashback on a laptop if possible to avoid confusion with the tracking.
- Check the terms, because some bookings or payment methods don’t qualify (don’t use additional discount codes unless approved by the cashback site).
- Be patient, as it can take a while to track and pay out.
It’s free money for something you were going to book anyway, so it’s worth the extra click.
5. We book as much as possible in advance
We try to limit how much we have to spend once we’re there. Obviously, we can’t really control buying food or souvenirs, but if we can book it in advance, it’s a win (within reason).
That might be attraction tickets, airport transfers or train travel. Advance prices are often lower, popular things sell out, and you aren’t making expensive decisions in the moment when everyone is tired and hungry. When travelling with a toddler, that last point matters more than you’d think. It also makes it much easier to see what the holiday will cost before you’ve left–and means you don’t come home to a hefty holiday bill because everything’s been paid in dribs and drabs up front.
6. We use an international credit card with low fees
We both have the Halifax Clarity Credit Card (not sure what will happen with Lloyds taking over), which doesn’t charge for spending abroad and often has one of the most favourable local rates. On the rare occasion I need to do bank transfers, I’ll use Wise.
A couple of things worth remembering:
- A card like this only makes sense if you pay it off in full, otherwise the interest will wipe out any savings.
- If a card machine abroad asks whether you’d like to pay in pounds or the local currency, always choose the local currency. Paying in pounds usually means a worse exchange rate.
- Never take money out at an ATM. You’ll get stung with super high fees both from the ATM and the card.
Cards and fees change, so check the current terms and definitely don’t rely on me to be giving you financial advice.
7. We don’t always choose the cheapest hotel
A hotel might be cheap, but if it’s really far out of the city and requires a significant amount of public transport, it’s a no from us.
Think about what that distance really costs. There are the transport fares to consider, but there’s also the time. With a toddler, being able to pop back for a nap or something without a long journey makes the whole trip smoother. A slightly pricier hotel in a handy spot can end up being the better deal.
8. We love a local supermarket
Food is one of the easiest places to overspend, and snacks for kids really do add up. A quick shop on arrival covers breakfasts and a bag of emergency snacks for the day, and it’s fun to see what the local supermarket has. Having familiar foods on hand also makes life easier with a fussy toddler.
9. We limit luggage where possible
Baggage fees are one of those costs that can quietly double the price of a cheap flight. If it’s only a week-long trip, we don’t need a suitcase each. So we pack light, or make the most of the free luggage allowance for littles, which many airlines offer, though the rules vary so it’s worth checking yours.
In the past, we’ve also made separate bookings just to get around the airline automatically making the whole party pay for a suitcase each. It won’t suit every trip, but it’s worth looking at the airline’s rules and doing the maths.
The bottom line
Saving money on family travel isn’t about doing without. It’s about being a bit more deliberate before you go, so you can enjoy the trip itself without worrying about the bank balance.
What’s the one money-saving habit you wouldn’t travel without?
