Article Holiday ideas that won’t break the bank

Are you looking to treat yourself to a well-deserved holiday? Whether you’re looking to sightsee or relax, with the right planning and research you can go on your holidays while budgeting.

In this article, we highlight some holiday destinations that shouldn’t break the bank – and some top tips on how you can put away some money for your holiday.  

3 tips to help you save for your holiday

1. Figure out your budget

How much are you willing to spend on your holiday? Once you’ve worked this out, look at your budget to see where you can put some money aside to save towards it.

2. Think about your destination

Once you know how much you’re willing to spend, it’s time to choose a destination you want to visit that aligns with your budget. If you need some inspiration, we highlight a few suggestions that might help you.

3. Research

There is a lot of research to do when planning for a holiday. When you’ve found your ideal destination, research when the best time to visit is – and where you can stay. You might find that going during the ‘off-season’, when travel is likely to be  at it’s quietest, is a little cheaper.

Budget friendly holiday destinations

To help you choose a holiday destination, we’ve highlighted a few options below – with costs for a week in September 2023 to give you an idea of how much it would cost for flights and accommodation. This doesn’t reflect the total cost of the trip as it doesn’t account for the money you would spend when you’re there.

The prices are accurate as of March 2023 for the dates 16^th to 23^rd September 2023. Please be aware prices may vary depending on when you’ll be travelling, where you’d be travelling from and the board basis you choose (for example, self-catering, half-board or all inclusive). Bear this in mind when planning for any holidays you might be going on.

1. For a sunshine holiday: Canary Islands, Spain

The Canary Islands are highly popular with Brits, and for good reason. The mercury usually hovers around 20 degrees Celsius, in the winter months, and rises to around 28 degrees Celsius in the summer – meaning it’s a great place for some sun, all year round.

As a plus, they’re fairly affordable destinations. If you opt for a value-for-money package, Jet2 offer flights and accommodation starting from around £467 for seven nights.¹

There are plenty of ways to soak up the sun in the Canary Islands, many of which are free to do. These include admiring the dramatic volcanic landscapes on Lanzarote, hiking through ancient forests on Tenerife and lounging on the beautiful beaches of Gran Canaria.

2. For a city break – Newcastle, England   

Domestic travel is growing in popularity, especially with the rise in the costofliving. The county of Tyne and Wear is the number one trending destination for domestic travel in 2023, so why not consider Newcastle for a city break?²

Here, you can check out the Laing Art Gallery for a dose of culture, visit the Great North Museum: Hancock to learn more about natural history, stroll along the city’s seven bridges (including the iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge) and more. What’s better – these activities won’t cost a penny.

You’ll find several value-for-money hotels too on websites like Booking.com, with prices starting from £281 for a seven night stay.³  

 If you’re looking for a city break abroad, visiting flight providers websites and doing a search for ‘everywhere’ during a particular month can show you the cheapest flights to destinations you might not have considered. 

3. For a good-value holiday: Marrakesh, Morocco

Morocco is a country rich in history and culture and it has a unique landscape. From the vibrant markets of Marrakech to the snow-capped Atlas Mountains – there is lots of sights to see.

Travelling to Morocco is also great value. Similar to our Canary Islands option, if you opt for a package holiday by EasyJet, you could get flights and accommodation starting from £444 per person for a week in Morocco in April.⁴

4. For a nature getaway: Brecon Beacons, Wales

For a truly back-to-nature experience, consider travelling to the Brecon Beacons. There, you can rent a cosy cottage for on average £122 a night.⁵ Between 2 people, this works out to costing roughly £427 per person for a 7 night stay. There are plenty of things to see and do, from hiking to canoeing on the River Wye (£30 per person for a half-day trip).⁶   

Booking ahead of time is key

Whether you’re craving a fun-filled city break or a relaxing beach getaway, it’s possible to enjoy a holiday without busting your budget. Just remember to do your research and book ahead for the best deals.