My top twelve tips to avoid getting burnt when you go on holiday...
Read this and save yourself hundreds on your hols - or your money back (maybe)
We all enjoy splashing out once a year on our well-deserved annual break without thinking about the financial consequences. But sometimes switching off our common sense and getting ripped off on holidays is no fun.
When the bills roll in after we come home, it leaves a bad taste hanging over our holiday break.
So too does farming out a fortune on a family holiday if your friends or neighbours manage to snap up a bargain.
Here are 12 tips to make sure your holiday in the sun goes swimmingly!
1. PLANNING PAYS
Plan your daily trips in advance and you’ll save a fortune and have a more relaxing holiday. Budgeting too saves money as you keep track of spending. Free activities like a trip to the beach are often more fun than costly excursions so don’t forget to include plenty of those. Avail of early booking discounts which can often save up to 30% on entrance fees.
2. COVER UP
Do you travel abroad more than once a year? It might be worth getting an annual policy, which can cover a whole family for €50. You can compare quotes online at www.ucompare.ie or www.comparetravelinsuranceireland.com. There are also good deals at Blue Insurance.
3. READ THE SMALL PRINT
Read your travel insurance policy carefully. It may exclude activities you were planning to enjoy on your break, requiring you to step up your cover. You’d be surprised what might be excluded. One policy even lists ‘frisbee throwing’ as a category II hazardous activity. Another deemed camel-riding too dangerous to cover and might ‘get the hump’ if you try to claim after falling off one!
4. KNOW EUR RIGHTS
The EU Health Insurance Card (EHIC) replaces the old E111 form. It proves you’re an EU citizen and are therefore entitled to treatment in any EU country as if you were a local citizen.
(Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also part of the scheme) You can apply to the HSE online through www.hse.ie and they will send you one. There’s even a free EHIC app to help contact the appropriate health service in whatever country you are visiting.
5. AVOID AIRPORT PARKING
It can cost up to €40 per day if you leave your car in the short-term car park.
There are several affordable park-and-ride services available surrounding the airport premises where a shuttle bus will take you from your car to your gate in a matter of minutes.
6. EAT IN
The cost of eating in restaurants is a huge holiday expense. It might be worthwhile going for an all-inclusive deal with meals. Opting for a self-catered cottage rather than a B&B or hotel can also cut your costs. Airbnb is a great low-cost way to rent a room or house cheaply in most parts of the world.
7. GO LOCAL
If you do want to sample local cuisine, avoid tourist traps. Popular areas of big cities and picturesque seaside restaurants are going to cost twice as much – and the food probably won’t be half as good. A handy way to spot if a café or restaurant offers good value is by the number of locals eating there. If it’s not in a tourist area and everyone’s a visitor, beware!
The best way to find a hidden gem is to speak to someone in the know – talk to locals or download the Spotted by locals app, which provides city guides with insider knowledge.
8. SNAP UP ONLINE BARGAINS
Hotels often sell rooms off cheaply in flash sales either at the last minute or in advance.
You usually have to sign up to a daily or weekly newsletter which does clog up your inbox but it means you can keep on top of the latest deals.
Travelzoo, for instance, offers packages and deals on hotel stays, meals and days out and even spa trips, often with discounts of as much as 4050%. Comparison sites such as Last Minute and Trivago compare prices across major booking sites.
Sometimes you can snap up great holiday deals through voucher companies like Groupon.
Or go to Mydealpages.ie for a list of offers collected from many voucher firms into one handy website.
Lastminute.com has some good offers on top restaurants in London.
9. HOP ON THE BUS, GUS!
Use local public transport. It’s cheap and often more enjoyable to travel around like a local rather than in a tour bus full of visitors.
If you do want to go by train, book your ticket as far in advance as possible to get the best rates. Groups of friends or families can also avail of group travel discounts.
10. AVOID CAR HIRE RIP-OFFS
Get a better deal on both car hire by using a website, rather than just going to whoever the airline recommends. See www.comparetravel.ie. Try to avoid firms that require cars to be returned empty of fuel. If you can’t avoid this, manage your fuel usage carefully.
Car hire firms are notorious for finding faults with vehicles on their return. Make sure you’re not blamed for scrapes and scratches inflicted by a previous driver. As soon as you hire the car, make sure to take close-up photos of the bodywork, fuel gauge and mileometer before and after hiring. Then watch your credit card statements after you get home for extra charges for damage etc.
11. WAIVE THAT WAIVER
Be wary of buying add-on cover such as excess waiver insurance from the hire firm. This covers you for the excess – a cash sum you have to pay in the event of an accident. It can be cheaper to buy cover directly from the insurer. AIG’s website, for example, quotes cover that could save up to €200 on what the car hire company charges.
12. BOOSTER YOUR SAVINGS
Hiring child car-seats can be almost as dear as hiring a car.
You can bring a car seat with you as the EU has a single car-seat law for all countries. It doesn’t cost that much. Ryanair, for example, allows you to bring two items of baby equipment, including seats, for free. A booster seat could probably fit into a bag. And even if you do have to pay, it’s €10 each way. You can also bring your own Satnav. Even if you have to buy one, it’s cheaper than some rentals as the price of these extras seems to be how these firms make their money.