How to travel in a Recession
With the credit crunch still affecting many of us, it can be easy to dismiss the idea of a holiday on the premise that it will be too expensive. On closer look, it is not impossible to get a short break for less. Travel businesses are aware that we are less willing to spend, and have redesigned their holiday packages accordingly.
Most of the online travel agents, such as lastminute, Expedia, and Opodo, are embracing the fact that the traveller now has a smaller budget with a variety of getaway deals. Package holidays for a couple of nights to France, Spain, even Turkey, can be bought for around £100 per person. If you are not fussy about where you want to go, there will be dozens of holidays available within your budget.
Low cost airlines are great for scoring cheap deals, even after baggage and check-in extras. A return flight to Madrid can cost as little as £50, and when paired with a budget hotel from gtahotels.com or Travellodge, a trip to the sun can be very cost-effective indeed.
The plethora of holiday search engines available work to get us the best value holidays. From Kelkoo to moneysavingsexpert, there are numerous tips and tricks available to shave down the costs. Perhaps there is a voucher in a newspaper, or a affiliated offer being run by an airline that could get you a luxury holiday on a shoestring.
Once on holiday, sustenance needn't cost the earth either. Instead of eating every meal in a restaurant, why not try a meal from a street vendor (often the cheapest option) or get a take away to enjoy in your hotel room? Most city centres have supermarkets these days, making it possible to buy ingredients for a self-made meal, or picnic in the park/on the beach. Similarly, sightseeing doesn't have to be about paying high entrance fees to get into museums. Get lost in the streets, and discover your own attractions. Take a tour in a public bus rather than pay an inflated fare for a guided tour.
Of course, there is always the option of the stay-cation. With the range of budget airlines have come equally discounted domestic travel options. National Express and Megabus sell tickets for just £1, and Megatrain can get you from Glasgow to Manchester for a mere £3 on a Virgin train!. Combined with a stay in one of our many modern budget hotels and hostels, and a trip can be booked for as little as £20. Not to mention the savings that come with biking, hiking, and car hiring. Visit Britain is a great resource for all-inclusive deals, and showcases some of the best things this country has to offer, from Festivals and beaches, to Edinburgh and the Lake District. With treats like this at home, who needs a passport?
