Money-Saving Tips for Staycations

With more and more Brits planning to holiday in the UK, we want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your book when booking online.

Nothing beats having a holiday to look forward to and bagging a saving on your next adventure could make it that extra special!

Check out our money saving tips for ways you can grab a cheaper holiday this year and squeeze some extra value from your next Staycation.

In This Guide:

1. Grab a discount code
2. Cheap Hotel Room Bookings
3. Pay using a Credit Card
4. Stay with Friends or Family
5. Save when you pack your own toiletries
6. Petrol Prices
7. Book in advance
8. Plan days out ahead
9. Travel off-peak
10. Self-Cater
11. Camp!
12. Don’t forget insurance!

Grab a discount code!

It may sound simple, but adding a discount code to your booking is super easy and you will be surprised how many there are kicking about! Find all the best and latest voucher codes available for a variety of travel retailers in destinations across the UK in the travel category at Netvouchercodes.co.uk.

Popular travel retailers like Travelodge, Haven Holidays, Hotels.com and many more release voucher codes for their holidays, as well as great deals like last-minute price drops and free child place offers. These deals are certainly worth checking out if you’re looking for a bargain on your next UK staycation. For the most up to date deals, make sure you visit Netvouchercodes.co.uk before you hit the ‘Book Holiday Now’ button!

Cheap Hotel Room Bookings

With lockdown restrictions easing, everyone is hopeful their summer holiday can be salvaged. With holidays at the forefront of everyone’s mind, especially with school holidays falling in time for lockdown easing, you will need to be smart about where you stay. Accommodation is getting booked up and fast, but there are still bargains to be had.

If you’re looking for fantastic savings on hotel stays, take a look through our Hotels category for savings all year round on your accommodation. Find great deals with big-name tour operators like the fabulous Crieff Hydro Hotel, Expedia and Lastminute.com to make your next Staycation more affordable. Enjoy savings of up to 30% off selected stays as well as up-to-date voucher codes to guarantee money off your booking.

Another top tip when booking during these uncertain times is looking out for ‘Free Cancellation’. This is great for two reasons. One is that if your circumstances change and you cannot go ahead with your holiday, you won’t need to worry about paying for your accommodation. Another reason is that prices fluctuate all the time. You may get a cheaper deal closer to your holiday and if you do, simply cancel your last booking!

Pay using a Credit Card

While there is hope in sight, there are still uncertainties looming surrounding COVID-19 and safe travel. The safest way to book a holiday is using a Credit Card. Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act means credit card companies are liable if anything was to affect your holiday. For instance, if your holiday is cancelled due to Covid or the resort or airline goes bust, the card company has a duty to reimburse.

This is especially important due to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19. However, when using a credit card you will need to ensure you pay off the card in full each month to avoid interest charges.

Stay with Friends or Family

While we understand this is not possible for everybody if you’re lucky enough to have friends or family in different parts of the UK, you could save a lot of money on your staycation trip by bunking up with them. Whether it’s a family member’s home, a friend’s caravan or a summer house, don’t hesitate to ask your loved ones. This could save you a fortune on accommodation.

Plus, for a year now, the opportunity to travel anywhere or see family and friends has been limited, so what once may have been a mundane and unnecessary trip to another part of the UK, may just be a great experience for all.

Another great idea would be to house swap all together. If you love your family or friends dearly but can’t picture living within the same walls for longer than a few hours, why not house swap altogether? It’s as simple as it sounds, you switch properties for however long you plan on staying! Not only will you then have your freedom, but you’re also guaranteed to save on hotel or other accommodation costs.

Save when you pack your own toiletries

For some bizarre reason, we Brits feel it’s necessary to buy all our toiletries brand new before we pack for our holiday. Not only is this incredibly expensive, especially when buying for the whole family, but unnecessary. Your very own bathroom probably has bottles of unused shampoo, conditioner or soap.

A super-easy way to make quick savings is to pack any products which need using up, you will probably be surprised with what’s hoarding in your bathroom. Another great tip is to buy sun cream from cheaper brands. We often think that the more expensive the sun cream, the better protection it will have. Wrong, many cheap brands offer the same or if not better protection than their more expensive counterparts. Always check the UVA/UVB label for those with a 5* rating as these typically offer the best protection from harmful rays. Pound Shops and budget supermarkets are great for these!

Petrol Prices

So, you’ve switched your speedy flight for a hefty drive, but don’t worry, all in all, you’re guaranteed to save. However, you will need to consider how much fuel you will need to travel to and from your destination. If you’re the dedicated driver, keep an eye out for cheap petrol prices by using an app as they often fluctuate and can be surprisingly different between each service station. Do your research and shop around!

If for any reason you need to stop on your journey to fuel up, try to opt for one based on a supermarket forecourt. These prices tend to be lower than motorway service stations that charge optimal prices.

Book in advance

While it may seem silly booking your staycation in advance during this uncertain time, spaces are filling up quickly and booking last minute may mean you miss out on your desired dates or the holiday park you wanted. You’ve waited the best part of a year for a holiday so make sure you secure your slot!

Booking holidays up to a year in advance is the best possible way to secure a great deal. Being organised pays off, especially if you’re a parent and you need to consider term time.

Plan days out ahead

A rookie mistake we Brits tend to make is that we get so caught up in paying for our holiday that we often underestimate how much money we need to take with us. While it may seem pedantic, planning your days out is a great way to stay within your budget. Trips out and tourist attractions can be pricey, book online in advance for the best prices and don’t hesitate to search for a promo code!

Travel off-peak

We understand that it’s almost impossible if you have kids to travel off-peak. However, if possible, travelling during off-peak periods is almost certainly significantly cheaper! This is ideal for friends, couples or those who don’t work mid-week. Of course, prices surge during school holidays compared with term time dates and even weekends.

Self-Cater

As much as we’re looking forward to being able to dine out, choosing to eat in restaurants each night during your holiday is going to be expensive. Mix it up and have BBQs and delicious meals at your holiday accommodation if possible. Taking food with you can keep costs down and can still be really enjoyable! These savings can really add up and make your time away much cheaper.

Camp!

Last year, the UK saw a massive increase in campers and this year is set to be no different. Not only is camping inexpensive compared with holidaying abroad and even in the UK, but it’s so much fun and a great experience for families and friends. Whether you’re a camping newbie or camp every year, it’s definitely worth looking into if you’re looking to save money on your next Staycation.

Borrow camping equipment from family or friends and packing your own food are great ways for a cost-effective trip. In fact, why not take a read through our Complete Guide to Camping on a Budget full of money-saving hacks as well as the top 10 UK campsites to visit!

Don’t forget insurance!

Lastly, but by no means least, if you’re considering a Staycation this year, you should still consider taking out travel insurance. People may assume that insurance is not necessary as you are not leaving the country. However, unexpected and costly problems can arise just as likely if you were heading abroad. Travel delays, lost or stolen luggage and cancellations are just a few examples.

Make sure you book travel insurance (The Post Office offers very competative rates) as soon as you book your accommodation to ensure you’ve covered any cancellations due to COVID-19.