How to save on travel

There are several ways to reduce the cost of booking a vacation, whether you plan ahead or book at the last minute.

Travel expert Daniel Clark shares tips on how to save money on your next vacation, Express writes.

Among his recommendations are advance planning, flexibility and independent search for options.

“If you just go to a travel agency and pay them the price of a ticket with all the trimmings, you're likely to pay a lot more than if you spend time looking for the best options. The more money you save in the planning stages of your holiday break, the more money you'll have left over for mince pies and mulled wine while you're there,” he noted.

How to save on travel

1. Book directly at hotels. To avoid additional fees, Clark advises contacting hotels directly, rather than through travel agencies.

This often allows you to get a better price, because hotels do not pay commission to agents.

You can find contact information through search engines or Google Lens, which will help identify the official site by photo.

2. Choose a good time for rest. If you're not tied to school time, an expert suggests cutting costs by taking a vacation during the school year or in the middle of the week, as fares are often lower during those times.

3. Pay attention to the location. Staying downtown, especially during the festive season, can be expensive.

Clark recommends choosing accommodation further from the center but with good transport links.

4. Choose apartments with a kitchen. A self-catering apartment is a great way to save money.

Cooking your own food can significantly reduce overall costs, and visiting local markets and supermarkets can add flavor to your trip.

5. Travel without luggage. Many airlines charge extra for checked baggage or large carry-on bags.

According to Daniel, you should travel without anything whether you fly, drive or take public transport.

6. Use cashback sites. Currently, there are various cashback sites that offer incentives for booking travel. And sometimes these numbers can reach significant amounts.

Before booking tickets, accommodation, tours, car hire and even ordering foreign currency, check to see if the retailer is listed. And see if you can get the percentage back to save overall.