'I'm a travel money expert - here's how you can cut the cost of your summer holiday'
Nobody wants to be concerned about holiday spending, but some simple thrifty tricks can help you keep a better handle on things.
Summer holiday season has almost arrived, and if you're heading off to somewhere in Europe over the next few weeks, you might find you've paid a hefty amount.
Going away during the school holidays often means that your trip is more expensive, even if you aren't travelling with children. This is especially true for certain European hotspots, as the inflated prices often don't put people off.
And while nobody wants to spend time worrying about money on holiday, it can be really helpful to know a few thrifty tricks. These can help you save cash without compromising on your enjoyment of your time away.
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If you aren't staying in a hotel or resort with meals included, food and eating out can be one of the most expensive parts of a holiday abroad, especially in certain European destinations. But by making a few simple changes to the way you eat, you could save money without compromising on the delicious food your holiday has to offer.
Finance experts from Finansplassen have shared a valuable piece of advice that can not only lower your spending on holiday, but also make it feel more authentic than choosing the expensive options.
According to the pros, you can avoid the unnecessary restaurant charges by sourcing your meals from cheaper options. Grocery stores are abundant in Europe, and offer many different options that are perfect for tourists.
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You can also find the freshest ingredients by visiting local food markets, either on select days of the week or searching for a permanent location. This is a great way to become immersed in the local culture as well, especially in countries that take their food very seriously.
Holidaymakers can also consider staying somewhere with a kitchen or cooking facilities. Cooking your own meals is always going to be cheaper than visiting restaurants and cafes all the time, which can be especially cost effective for long stays.
As well as food, another thing that can pile on expenses to a holiday is actually getting around while you're there, especially if you're ordering taxis all the time.
But public transport is usually very efficient in European cities and is much cheaper mode of travel compared to taxis. Look at the metro systems and bus routes in the area to see if there are any travel passes you can take advantage of.
You should also be walking about as much as possible to enjoy the European streets and save money along the way. Many major attractions end up being close together or can easily be found by just following the central walking routes through the main cities.
Cycling is another option for easy travel that is already utilised by many locals. Renting a bike to use for your whole stay is likely to be more cost effective than hiring them from pay-as-you-go stations for short distances, just be sure to bring strong security locks.
