Expert's unique clothes luggage packing hack to slash costs

As summer kicks off, with the cost of living continuing to rise, many have found themselves sacrificing hopes of a summer getaway for the sake of their savings. However, a holiday doesn’t have to break the bank as one expert delved into the best tips for budget vacationing - even how you pack your clothes.

Luggage

For those looking for a short break, the price of holidays can drop by hundreds simply by packing as light as possible. Fred Harrington, CEO of coupon site Bountii, advised travellers make the most of their free luggage allowances.

Most airlines will allow passengers to take cabin bags free of charge, with some limitations on size, weight and how many items they can take to their seat. The expert advised travellers make a “detailed packing list” of just what they will “realistically use”, roll their clothes instead of folding them to save space and lastly find some “travel-sized toiletries or containers to transfer the supplies you already have into”.

Even if holidaymakers can’t manage to squeeze their items into the free allowance, adding on another cabin bag rather than a large, heavy checked-in bag can save them hundreds on flight expenses. Fred advised that travellers double-check their allowances and the weight of their own bag before heading to the airport to “avoid incurring extra charges” for overweight luggage.

Travel dates

One of Fred’s other top tips is to travel at off-peak times, which could save stacks on travel expenses but also won’t be applicable to everyone. For those that need to travel during the school holidays, he advised that the “last week of August tends to be the cheapest” while during the start of the school term in September can offer a lot of low-cost getaways.

He highlighted that according to Google Flights, return tickets for four people is 15.5 percent cheaper in the last week of August than during the rest of the summer holidays. Additionally, off-peak travel also offers cheaper accommodation prices, although Fred advised holidaymakers stay far from popular vacation areas and tourist hotspots for more budget-friendly getaways.

All-inclusive options

While all-inclusive getaways tend to have a higher upfront cost, Fred revealed it can be a “fantastic way to save money” particularly if travellers aren’t too fussed about potentially missing out on local cuisine. He shared: “It’s certainly worth looking into package holidays offered by companies like TUI – they often work out cheaper and are fuss-free if your priority is having the most restful and relaxing time possible.”

Insurance and healthcare

Preparing for the worst can often mitigate some major extra charges in already devastating situations. Fred advised: “It’s also worth checking for extra healthcare that you may be able to access. For example, if you live in the UK, a GHIC card lets you access state healthcare in some countries on the same basis as residents. Do your research to ensure that you have taken full advantage of every option available to you.”