Beach Holidays Blog

Uh-oh, you’ve done it again. You’ve left planning for your holiday trip to the last minute and find your travel costs are much higher than you expected.

Well, it’s not too late to get some last-minute savings. Even though travel peaks during the holidays, the cost of traveling nowadays is still less than it used to be. Plus, if you take action now, you can still shave some dollars from your holiday trip.

1. Comparison shop. You don’t have much time, but the Internet makes comparison shopping faster and easier than ever. Check out aggregator sites like kayak.com, but don’t forget to look at individual airline sites as well. And when you’re comparing costs, remember to consider extra fees which aren’t included in ticket prices, such as baggage fees and other additional charges.

2. Act fast. When you do find a good deal, book it. Companies usually make great packages available for a limited time only, so you may not find it again if you don’t book it right now.

3. Plan to travel outside the peak periods. Don’t fly on the day before or after the holiday. Midweek also tends to be cheaper than weekends.

4. Explore other airports near your destination. See if it’s cheaper for you to fly to a nearby airport than where you originally planned go. Of course, factor in the cost of a cab or other transportation to get to your destination.

5. Try to book multiple flights with one or more connections instead of direct flights. Sure, direct flights are faster but they’re also more expensive. If you’re not in too much of a hurry – and if you’re not traveling with small children – you just might save some serious money by taking a series of connecting flights.

6. Save on accommodations by stay at a relative’s or friend’s house. Or look for hotel deals such as special family packages or holiday deals. Also check out how much it costs to rent a condo or apartment, or find a home swapping deal.

7. If you’re traveling to get away from it all, pick an off-season destination. For example, Las Vegas is cheaper during Christmas-time than the rest of the year.

8. Look for deals on car rentals, if you need to rent a car. Again, the Internet is your best tool for finding hot deals.

9. if taking your own car, optimize its fuel consumption. Make sure all your tires are properly inflated, and replace your car engine’s air filter. While you’re at the mechanic, have your car checked to make sure it’s road worthy.

10. Food expenses can really add up when you’re traveling. To save on food, pack snacks and lunches to eat while you’re traveling. And when you arrive, plan to prepare your own meals.

These are only a few of the ways you can drastically reduce the cost of your holiday trip. If you want more tips you can use for your next trip and year-round, download this free report from Globe Cheap. Most of the tips in this report are insider tips only a former travel agent would know (which the author is).

If you’re willing to be flexible with your travel plans and invest some of your time and energy finding great deals (as opposed to putting everything in the hands of a travel agency) then you will save big money by following these tips. Go here to claim your free report now.

More travel resources:

FREE Budget Travel Report: Save 80% To 100% On Your Next Vacation – Learn how to travel the world and have incredible adventures, and pay just a fraction of the regular prices on airline tickets, vacation packages, hotel rooms, cruises and more

Last Minute Traveler: How Procrastination Can Save You Money -  The essential guide to last minute travel deals that only available if you are able to travel at the last minute. Having open travel dates can open up a world of possibilities for you when you know how to grab a last minute deal to your dream holiday.

Avoid Jet Lag: Unique Plan To Cure Jet Lag – All travelers suffer from some level of jet lag. Discover how you can completely avoid jet lag – every time you fly – following a simple step by step approach.

Photo source cnina