Money Talk
Consumer expert Sue Hayward’s savvy finance tips and advice SUE’S GUIDE TO Savvy Holiday Planning
How much time do you spend planning holidays? Do you grab a guidebook at the airport and read it on the plane, or spend hours trawling travel sites so that you’re one step ahead when you land?
Well, according to American Express, we spend more time planning our trip than we spend on the holiday itself! Yes – we spend nine days planning and go away for seven.
I’ve never totted up how long I spend but I am the Queen of Travel Planning and proud of it! I even made a schedule for our trip to Australia last year, with everything from which travel cards to buy to prebooked trips and apartments.
I see it as part of the holiday fun – but most importantly, it means I can bag the best deals and don’t miss out.
Here are my money saving holiday planning tips:
Check ways to save on public transport at your destination, so you can pick up a travelcard at the airport.
Book in advance for popular attractions and sites as this can be cheaper – and may be the only way in. The Anne Frank house in Amsterdam is so popular that right now you have to pre-book tickets. You’ll need to book Crown tickets at the Statue of Liberty well in advance, too.
Travel forums like TripAdvisor are great for advice, tips and out-of-the-way places locals recommend. I’ve found great bars in New York and Sydney this way – plus a cheap way to get a one-day visa to China.