Staycations are often considered to be the cheapest way to get away for a short holiday however if you are not careful taking a holiday in the UK can easily cost the same, if not more than an all-inclusive holiday abroad. It is therefore important to keep control of the costs, budget in advance and bear in mind all of the added extras you may not need to consider if you were holidaying abroad.
Choose your destination carefully!
One particular way in which you can look to save money on a staycation is by actually avoiding some of the more expensive destinations such as London. There are still plenty of places to visit around the country, even in the south of the UK which are typically overlooked but these come with an array of benefits, things to do and generally cheaper than the capital when it comes to accommodation, transport and eating out. Portsmouth for instance is one particular city in the south of England that gives you the opportunity to escape the prices of the capital without skimping on things to do, history and culture. Examples of places to go in Portsmouth include Spinnaker Tower (a new attraction), the aquarium and the pier to name just a few.
Save on holiday accommodation!
Accommodation during a staycation will be your main expense and the cost of this can drastically be cut down. If you are staying in the area for more than two nights or if you have a particularly large family you should take a look at holiday cottages and serviced apartments. With apartments available from £140 per week they are significantly cheaper than a £100 per night hotel and still centrally located with all of the facilities you could desire. The self catering facilities also means you can get breakfast and prepare lunch for the day without spending it on expensive food concessions in attractions. Across the week for a family of four these savings could quickly reach £100 or more!
Plan your schedule ahead of time!
It’s important to fit in as much as possible into your staycation to get the best experience and value for money! Plan your schedule in advance to take advantage of any offers or even special one off exhibitions or events that may be taking place. Specific days which offer free entry may be available.
Consider the savings available using public transport!
Although it is generally more convenient to take your car this comes with an additional expense, not just the fuel (especially if you are travelling a long distance) but parking especially in the cities is expensive and spaces are short! There are many ways in which you could save on your transport bill for your trip by using public transport, booking a train several weeks in advance so you get to take advantage of advance rates and using railcards to get up to 25% off the cost of your tickets.
