Many families end up spending a fortune on holidays with their children. The costs of transport, accommodation, eating out, and activities can soon add up, and before you know it, spending time away with the kids can quickly become completely unaffordable.
But rather than go without quality time away together, why not look at where you can save money on your break? If you fancy getting away more often on some epic adventures without breaking the bank, we've put together our 12 top tips for saving money on your trips.
Booking your holiday with YHA can really help to keep costs down and ensure that you save the pennies for your spending money rather than splashing out on expensive accommodation. Make some unforgettable memories without feeling the pinch.
Read on to find out how to get a cheap holiday with the kids this year.
1. Book a hostel stay
If you've yet to try staying in a hostel, then what are you waiting for? With cheaper accommodation than pricier hotels or holiday cottages, hostels make an excellent base for adventures with the children.
Accommodation is basic but warm, comfortable and clean, and hostels offer family rooms where you can all stay together. Although you might not get some of the amenities that you have come to expect in hotels – you won't find TVs in the rooms, for instance – you will have the added bonus of extensive grounds for the kids to let off some steam and social areas to relax in that you can all enjoy together.
Play board games or read in our shared lounges, grab a drink from our licensed bars, and make new friends with the other guests.
2. Stay in the UK
Ok, so we might be a little biased, but we believe there are so many adventures available on our doorstep that there's no need to leave the UK when you go on holiday. Even if you get what looks like a good deal, going abroad can be expensive, with flights, airport spends and parking, pet boarding and activities factored in.
Closer to home, YHA offers fantastic accommodation options throughout England and Wales with hostels, camping, and glamping in some of the UK's most beautiful areas. Choose from an activity break in the Lake District, exploring the city with a trip to London, or grabbing the buckets and spades and heading to the seaside.
Save money on pricey airfares and airport parking by using public transport instead. Lots of our hostels are easily accessible and located near train or bus stations so you don't even need to worry about bringing the car.
Going away in the UK doesn't just save you money. There are plenty more benefits to having a staycation – you don't have to contend with long security queues at the airport, you can be more flexible with your travel plans, and you don't have to deal with time differences or jet lag!
3. Travel in shoulder season
Summer is usually the most expensive time to go away thanks to the school holidays and higher demand. However, the months surrounding these holidays – May, June, September, and October – are often cheaper and you can still get some good weather in the UK. And let's face it - it can be hit and miss in the summer anyway!
Not only this, but tourist hotspots will be less crowded, so you won't need to spend hours standing in queues for tourist attractions, and you'll be able to get reservations at the restaurants you want.
If you do need to travel during school holidays, February and October half terms and the Easter holidays tend to be cheaper than the summer.
4. Book early
If you're travelling with school-age children, chances are you'll only be able to go during the holidays. Book as early as possible once you know your plans in order to get the best deals before demand ramps up.
Booking early not only saves you money on your accommodation but also allows you plenty of time to save up your spending money. You might want to put aside a certain amount each month to help the costs feel more affordable when you get there.
Keep an eye out for promo codes and sales, too. Follow YHA on our social media channels and sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear about offers. We offer deals throughout the year with up to 20% off our usual prices.
5. Be as flexible as possible
Flexibility is key when it comes to maximising your savings, so prepare to be as adaptable as you can. Your arrival day can make all the difference for the price of your holiday. For example, a midweek break arriving on a Tuesday may be cheaper than travelling over the weekend.
Search and compare different dates to ensure you get the best price.
6. Save money on eating out
Eating out for every meal during your holiday can soon add up but you can make a huge saving by choosing to self-cater instead. YHA hostels have well-equipped self-catering kitchens with all the appliances, pots, and pans you need to create some delicious meals.
Pop to the supermarket on your way to us, and you are welcome to store your food in our large fridges, freezers, and cupboards.
If you don't want to cook (after all, you are on your holidays!), then many of our hostels offer affordable meals for families in their restaurants. Choose from classics like chilli con carne, sharers like nachos, and light bites like jalapeno poppers for smaller appetites.
Not only are our prices affordable, but you can also save with our family offer. Kids under 10 eat for just £1 with each paying adult for breakfast and main meals.
7. Consider camping
If you fancy a real outdoor adventure, then try camping at one of YHA's sites. Bringing your own tent is cheaper than staying in hostel accommodation, and it can often be a real novelty for the kids.
Campsites are available at some of our best locations across England and Wales, including Cornwall, Yorkshire, and the Lake District, making it even easier for you to get out and explore the great outdoors.
All camping guests have access to the hostel's facilities so you can relax in the social spaces, cook up a storm in the self-catering kitchen, and use the shower and toilets. Fair weather camper? If the weather's bad, come inside and chat to other guests over a drink from our licensed bar and pop your wet gear in our drying room.
8. Try some free activities
Although there are some fantastic attractions throughout the UK, some can be pricey, so it's worth looking at where you can save on activities and things to do. There's plenty of free-range fun to be had in the great outdoors.
There are miles and miles of walking routes and cycling paths just waiting to be discovered, some starting right from our hostel doors, all of which are free to enjoy. Tire the kids out with plenty of fresh air before returning to the hostel for a good night's sleep.
If you're more of a culture vulture, why not explore some of the UK's most interesting museums when you take a city break? Head to London, where there are over 100 museums and attractions that you can visit free of charge.
9. Book direct
Remember, you'll only get the best deal on accommodation when you book direct with YHA. If you find a better rate anywhere online, we'll refund you the difference.
Booking direct not only gets you the lowest price, but it also helps to support us as a charity. Around £2 million of our income each year is absorbed by third-party booking agents. We'd much rather invest this in providing life-changing adventures for young people with hostel stays and experiences that improve physical health, mental well-being, and life skills.
10. Visit a cheaper destination
Sometimes the most popular UK holiday destinations can hike up the prices for eating out and activities. For example, seaside destinations are often more expensive during the summer holidays, so why not try a city break instead?
YHA Liverpool Albert Dock, YHA London Thameside, and YHA Bristol provide budget accommodation in three of the UK's best cities. There's plenty to do with the kids in all three cities, and you might find that a break here is slightly cheaper than, for example, going to Cornwall.
Alternatively, visiting the seaside outside of the summer months may be more cost-effective too with less demand keeping prices even more affordable.
11. Become a YHA member
The good news is that YHA members save even more on their stays. Members get a 10% discount on accommodation and can save 10% on any pre-booked meals. You can easily add meals on to your booking when you check out and pre-pay for them, helping you to budget for spending money.
12. Visit some of our underrated hostels
Some of our hostels get busier than others during school holidays, but there are still plenty of bargains to be had. Consider one of our hidden gem hostels, all in fantastic locations. YHA Ambleside, overlooking the lake, YHA Penzance in beautiful West Cornwall, and YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass are all incredible options for family breaks in the great outdoors.
Discover more about YHA.
