Treat yourself to a well-earned break

Keep costs down by following this guide full of essential tips.

Mystery holiday deal

If you haven't heard of Wowcher £99 mystery holidays before then it's basically exactly what it says on the tin. You pay just £99 per person for flights and accommodation BUT have no control over the destination...could be Lisbon, New York or many more! The number of days you will go for also ranges (from 2-7 nights) and will take place between September and November.

So if you're not picky about location then this might be the choice for you! Just remember that, like with booking any kind of holiday, prepare for bonus costs that aren't included in the base price, for example, insurance, transfers to and from the airport, etc. The draw takes place on the 27th of March so if you're interested make sure to get your ticket before then!

How to keep your choice cheap

If you want a little more control over your choice of holiday then you can do it the normal way and start browsing various websites. The sheer amount of options can be daunting so start by asking yourself what is vital and what you can be flexible with:

1. Dates - Can you only go in a very specific timeframe or are open to multiple dates? You will usually find cheaper deals on weekdays compared to weekends and avoiding travel during peak times such as school holidays will help cut down costs too. Spontaneity is key, the best deals are more often than not those last-minute getaways so be prepared to go at any time if you can.
2. Location -  Broaden your search to include multiple cities and countries (unless there is some event or activity you must do that is unique to that location) and you will have more joy in finding bargains. Be open to places you've never even heard of, you never know it might be a hidden gem!
3. Accommodation -  Sometimes if your accommodation is central to the action then all you'll need is somewhere to rest your head. In that case,  why spend a lot on a fancy hotel when you're going to be out exploring the majority of the time? Try Airbnb or Hostel World to save more for spending money.
4. Amenities - Filter your search based on what a place has to offer. For instance, wifi connection is a must but a pool or kitchen isn't? Then let the system know this so you don't have to look at places that ain't right for you. Look into the area as there may be solid substitutes nearby e.g. no pool at the place but a beach is only 15 minutes walk away.
5. Travel - If you're willing to add on a few more hours to the travel time or do a connecting journey then you may save yourself a fortune! Don't forget to check all modes of transport first as well, remember there are usually other options to flying such as trains, coaches, ferries and more. If flying is the only option check Skyscanner for the best deals. Booking flights separately to the accommodation may be more faff but will usually mean you spend less.
6. Itinerary - Research is key, do enough homework and you can figure out exactly what you want to do while you're there, meaning you can estimate how much you will spend overall (websites like Lonely Planet and Tripadvisor are good for detailing your options on things to do and see)! Budgeting efficiently may reveal it's cheaper to do stuff over there than you initially thought. You can then put more money towards travel or accommodation, or just save those extra pennies for a rainy day! 

Other general tips

• Check multiple sites but be wary that prices can change within seconds and some sites will use your data against you by bumping up prices for places you've already looked at. Speed is a friend!
• Consider working while on your travels if you plan on going away for a long time. You will need the money.
• Use a debit card like Starling or Monzo while you're aboard to avoid unnecessary currency conversion charges or cash withdrawal charges. You could withdraw all your spending money beforehand but this is a dangerous way to travel.

Now get some fun vacations in the diary for a price you can afford! Need more money-saving tips? Check out our article on budgeting tips and hacks.