We Asked A Travel Expert To Share The Secret(s) To Bagging Cheap Family Holidays

Jen Carr, aka The Travel MumI don’t know about you, but anytime I go to a book a family holiday, I do oodles of research, narrow down the search to about five different destinations, and then bail. I just can’t seem to hit that “book” button. This holiday booking paralysis largely comes down to the cost – parting with multiple thousands of pounds for a week-long holiday (thanks to the airport transfers, flights, rooms needed for four people, food costs, etc) seems particularly daunting.Not only that, but my eldest is now in school so the window for going on holiday is pretty slim – not to mention, even more expensive. So what’s a parent to do?Thankfully Jen Carr, family travel expert and founder of The Travel Mum, has shared some exclusive tips to help fellow parents keep costs low – and the good times rolling. First up, why are family holidays SO expensive? For a week’s holiday as a family of four, you’re looking at spending between £3,000 and £4,000 on average – and that’s for flights, hotels, food, etc.When the school holidays roll around, you might notice this figure suddenly surges.“It comes down to supply and demand,” Carr told HuffPost UK. “Millions of families are tied to the same windows, so competition drives prices up. With fewer departure dates to choose from, airlines and resorts can charge a premium.“Frustrating? Absolutely. But families aren’t powerless. By understanding the system, and using a few clever tricks, you can make your next holiday far more affordable.”But how?Here’s what Carr advises...1. Travel outside of AugustAugust is peak holiday season. If you can, look at Easter, May half term, or the October break instead.“You’ll still find sunshine in destinations like the Canary Islands, Greece, or Cyprus, but without the eye-watering August price tag,” she said. If August is unavoidable, book for the end of the month when prices often dip.2. Keep it short and sweetYou don’t have to book a two-week break. “Long weekends or four-night breaks can feel just as refreshing, and cost a lot less,” said Carr, who recommended focusing on city breaks or holiday parks that “pack plenty of fun into a few days”.3. Be flexible with airportsWhile your closest airport might be convenient to get to, it’s not always the cheapest. “A short train or car journey to another airport could save you hundreds,” said Carr. To get a feel for the differences in cost, set “UK” as your departure point on sites like Skyscanner to see the cheapest options, she advised.4. Pick clever destinationsThe travel expert said trips to popular places like Spain tend to inflate in price during the school holidays. So “lesser-known gems, often with lower living costs, can offer far better value”.City breaks can be cheaper but “still full of family-friendly fun”, while adventures to UK holiday parks and camp sites can help you save cash. Plus, if you stay closer to home, you save on flights and baggage charges.“Smaller independent sites often offer better prices than big booking platforms,” added Carr. Noted!Jen Carr, aka The Travel Mum, and her family at Europa Park in Germany5. Look out for free child placesI had no idea these existed but tour operators like TUI and Jet2holidays include free child places in their packages, said The Travel Mum founder.“These sell out fast for peak periods, so booking early is key,” she added. “Sign up for deal alerts, the best ones go quickly.”6. Opt for a DIY holidayWhile booking a package holiday is convenient, the expert said it’s not always the cheapest option. Do a comparison to see how much it would cost to book flights and hotels separately before you commit to that package deal. She added: “Independent hotels and apartments may not adjust their rates for UK school holidays, so you could find big savings.” 7. Split your stayDon’t just stay in one place – “mixing budget and luxury can cut costs without missing out,” said Carr. “Try a few nights in an affordable apartment, then finish with a shorter stay at a high-end resort.”Doing this also makes sense if you need to stay nearer to the airport before flying home.8. Travel lightTo avoid nauseating baggage fees, the travel pro advised sharing one large suitcase, rolling clothes (to save on space), and making use of hand luggage allowances.“Packing cubes and versatile outfits can help a family of four fit into surprisingly little space,” she added.9. Report delays and cancellationsIf your flight is delayed or cancelled, the AirHelp.com app can help you claim compensation you may not realise you’re entitled to.“It’s a smart way to claw back unexpected costs and keep the budget balanced. We have often been able to claim back our full flight costs via AirHelp.com,” she added.10. Book at the right timeLastly, timing really does matter when you’re booking a family trip. “Prices can fluctuate daily, and booking at the right moment can save hundreds. Keep an eye on deals well in advance, but also check last-minute offers if you’re flexible,” said Carr. It might help to set fare alerts to track price drops on your chosen routes.Good luck! Related...This Travel Pushchair Made My Life SO Much Easier – And It's Now 50% Off9 Destinations Travel Influencers Return To Again And AgainThis Trick For Stopping A Toddler Travel Tantrum In 30 Seconds Has Gone Viral – Does It Work?

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