With rising utility costs, council tax increases, and Donald Trump’s tariffs potentially affecting UK consumer prices, many households are tightening their belts. Yet 41 per cent of British holidaymakers plan to spend more on travel this year, increasing their budget by an average of £3,000 compared to 2024, according to Aviva research. Travel experts offer tips to make that investment go further.
Garry Nelson of AllClear Travel Insurance advises checking whether an annual policy can be tailored to exclude expensive destinations. For example, Spain’s travel insurance costs are high due to private clinics in tourist areas and costly repatriation (averaging £45,136 from Spain). A Europe-wide policy may be cheaper if it excludes such countries, with separate single-trip cover for those trips.
Booking timing matters: Opodo analysis shows the most cost-effective window for long-haul flights is 61–90 days before departure, with average prices of £784 versus £818 closer to the date. For European trips, booking 31–60 days in advance yields better deals, e.g., flights to Spain averaging £166 compared to £199 at 0–15 days.
Skyscanner’s Laura Lindsay suggests destination “dupes” like Reggio Calabria, Italy, as an alternative to Tenerife. Return flights in August cost £99 to Reggio Calabria versus £238 to Tenerife. Nicky Kelvin of The Points Guy recommends midweek travel (Tuesday–Thursday) and checking nearby airports for cheaper flights.
Chelsea Dickenson of Cheap Holiday Expert advises sticking to one accommodation booking platform (e.g., Booking.com or Hotels.com) and joining its free loyalty scheme to earn rewards. These simple steps can help holidaymakers save money amid rising living costs.
