Mini breaks and staycations

After a summer of travel chaos, more of us will be choosing to holiday at home in the UK over the next year. Starting or finishing a holiday in an airport or ferry queue is no fun when you could be exploring the incredible sights, cities and countryside right on our doorstep. Almost half of all adults took a holiday this summer and of those, 84 per cent holidayed in the UK, according to hotel chain Travelodge. To help Brits get away during the rest of the year, Travelodge has released 450,000 rooms for £34 or less across its UK hotels, making a stay for a family of four cheaper than a trip to the cinema! Act fast to get the best rates.

Hotel stays at Christmas

Staying at a hotel over Christmas can be an expensive time of year, but if you can book at last minute or be flexible on dates, then you could be in luck. If hotels have any capacity left over just before Christmas itself they could offer you a good rate rather than risk having unsold rooms. If you are happy to stay just after Christmas, in the period known as ‘Twixmas’, you will find rooms are considerably cheaper and you will still get the benefit of the Christmas decorations, menus and festive atmosphere. Equally, if you book well in advance, hotel chains like Travelodge offer discounts to guests who book months ahead of time as it gives them security of knowing the room has been sold.

Cheap flights around Christmas

Budget airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizzair and Jet2 are full of amazing deals but you might have to search for them. Top tips include being flexible with your preferred dates and searching the whole month to see the cheapest flights. Search nearby airports for cheaper flights at another airport, but be sure to factor in the cost of travel to the airport when budgeting for your affordable beach holiday. Flights early in the morning or late at night are often the cheapest, but check you’re not spending on expensive taxis or hotels to make the flights. If you aren’t fussy about where you go around the festive season, package holiday providers such as TUI, First Choice, Haven Holidays, Jet2holidays will have great winter sun deals where the flight and hotel are included in the price – check whether transfers are too.

Packages and experiences

If you’re looking to keep the children entertained over the Christmas holidays, then a trip to amusement parks such as Legoland Windsor, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures are great options, but often comes with a hefty price tag. By going at off-peak times and booking in advance you can often reduce the cost and find plenty of affordable family holidays perfect for the festive season. Network Rail often offers two-for-one deals on attractions. Check your shopping too – food brands, mobile phones providers, credit cards and supermarkets often have discounted tickets available.