With the credit crunch now firmly upon us, we’re all going to have to tighten our belts. But if you still fancy treating yourself, and your pet, to a well-earned break, here are some simple ways to save a bit of cash.
Search for off-season rates
If you can be a little flexible with your travel dates, this is a great way to find a wonderful holiday at a great price - and a lot of businesses will be more flexible on allowing pets too. Avoiding peak seasons means cheaper accommodation rates as well as cheap flights. A lot of animals don’t enjoy the blistering heat, so travelling in the spring may be better for your pet too.
Take a car trip
Okay, so the cost of fuel has hit the roof, but a good old-fashioned road trip can still prove a lot cheaper than a big holiday abroad. Other than fuel costs, your road trip doesn’t have to cost a thing – pack a lunch, some pet food and water, and off you go! Car holidays are great as they allow you to venture off the beaten track, where you’ll discover some rare treats. It offers you a kind of freedom you wouldn’t get from any other kind of holiday too, as you can stop off wherever you, or your pet, wants to!
Plan ahead
Planning a minute-by-minute schedule for your holiday is far from realistic. However, making a basic plan of things you want to do and see can help you keep better control of your budget. Try to plan a couple of days where you do no-cost or low-cost activities too, and you’ll save even more.
Share the cost
A holiday home that sleeps twelve people isn't usually six times more expensive than one that sleeps two. So if you can bear to share with friends or family you could save a bundle. Having friends and family bring their pets along too will mean your own furry friend will have some pals to enjoy their holiday with!
Surf for a deal
Look online and you can compare flights, create your own holidays and book hotel rooms from the comfort of your own home. The internet is the best place to find the cheapest deals, with travel sites like Flymonarch offering cheap flights all year round. Alternatively, use the internet for research, and then phone around the high street chains and haggle.
Avoid Fridays and Saturdays
Again, if you can be flexible with travel dates, it could save you a packet. Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest travel times, and as a result flights and hotels are more expensive then.
