Money-Savers for Days in the Sun – How to Avoid the Biggest Holiday Rip-Offs

Now that June has arrived and we’ve actually seen some long overdue sun (which promptly left us again), we’re turning our attention to those magical weeks spent abroad in foreign paradise islands boasting golden sands and cool cocktails.

Nabbing a bargain break is now easier than ever, but when you add up the spending during your time away... suddenly it’s not looking like quite the steal you thought it might be! Here are some handy tips to help you avoid a few of the usual suspects when it comes to over-spending while you’re away.

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Ring Ring

Charges for using your mobile can seriously stack up while you’re abroad. Contact your provider well in advance of your trip to make sure you’re set up for roaming, and that you’re getting the best rate available.  Avoid using hotel phones, and remember that it’s often cheaper to pick up a pre-paid card when you’re abroad that can be used on public phones, meaning you only need your mobile to text. You can avoid texting charges too, by downloading apps that let you text for free and using these in WiFi enabled locations.

Log Off

If you think mobile charges are bad, wait until you see what your phone company wants you to pay for using the Internet abroad. Skip Google and ask for directions, and turn off your data services. Use WiFi that’s free in many hotels, bars and restaurants, or better yet – stay offline for your week! No one wants to see that picture of your feet beside the pool anyway. We’re still at home, so we’re already sick with jealousy. You don’t need to make it worse.

Taxi!

If you’re getting ferried around quite a bit on your trip, make sure you’re not a target for opportunistic drivers who have very different rates for tourists and locals. Ask hotel staff what the average price is for a taxi to a local landmark, then ask drivers for a rate in advance. Many will be quick to offer a ‘discount’ if it looks like you’ll go elsewhere.

Day Trippers

Off to the capital city from your sun resort, spending a night in the desert, or a day on a boat? Holiday excursions during your trip are one of the best ways to learn a little more about local culture and set your week apart from the norm. However, you can often pay handsomely for the privilege of sitting on a bus for a few hours and a poor lunch shared with randomers. Explore the possibility of renting a car and compare the cost of that plus entry to the attraction to the package on offer from locals before you’re sweet-talked into buying.  

Lather Up

It’s a pretty standard case of supply and demand, but you’ll often find that suncream gets more expensive the closer you get to the beach. It’s very important to say don’t scrimp on it, it’s simply not worth the sunburn and the long-term damage to your skin, but try to buy before you fly, taking advantage of special offers in chemists and supermarkets.

‘Bargain’ Booze

If you’re in any kind of party destination, you can be sure that as soon as sun sets the promo guys and girls will be on the strip and promising you the best night of your life... if only you’ll come to their club and pay in advance for six cheap drinks before you set foot in the door. Then in you go to finds three other punters, all Irish and similarly disappointed, and  a DJ playing Hey Baby from his laptop. However keen you are for a party – do NOT get taken in! Use your first two nights to ask locals and your restaurant servers where the best bars and clubs are, and politely refuse to buy your drinks in advance. Remember that scene in The Inbetweeners?  Don’t let that be you.