Flying on the wrong day could cost UK families up to £182 more
Families are forking out as much as £182 more by heading on holiday on the wrong day of the week.
In the years following the coronavirus pandemic, the appetite for travel among the previously cooped-up has been enormous. Almost half (46%) of Europeans have increased their travel budgets compared to pre-pandemic, despite the ongoing cost of living crisis. The proportion rises to 48% of UK holidaymakers.
While a large chunk of people are willing to spend more on their time away, no one wants to fork out unnecessarily if doing so can be avoided. Mark Rogers, co-founder of package holiday provider The House of Travel, told the Mirror that many people are paying over the odds by heading away on the wrong day.
Mark says that weekend supplements - additional costs tacked on to the price of a plane ticket - do actually exist and can be one of the biggest avoidable costs of travel. He revealed that costs can be anywhere from 2 to 6% more for a package holiday, just to depart on a weekend.
While that may not seem like a huge amount, given that the average package holiday was £761 per person last year according to Statista, flying on a Saturday or Sunday could cost a family of four an additional £182.64.
Eight remote and beautiful but brutal jobs if you want to leave it all behind
Travel expert Darryl Newby suggested flying on a Tuesday to get cheaper tickets (Getty Images)He told the Mirror: “I always advise my clients to avoid travelling at a weekend, as holiday providers and flight companies always add an additional charge on top of the normal cost of their offerings just at the weekends because they know this is a much more convenient time for the majority to head on their holidays.
"I’ve seen package holidays ranging from £80 all the way up to £160 more expensive for a family of four as they fly over the weekend. When it comes to wanting to make the most of your trip, this money can go a long way in paying for memorable activities, meals out, or even an extra night away somewhere if saved.”
According to Darryl Newby, co-founder of Welcome to Travel, booking on a Tuesday is usually a good way to secure cheap tickets. "If in doubt, always book flights on Tuesday mornings. Airlines tend to lower their prices on Monday nights, leaving the following morning the perfect time to jump in and bag a great deal. You can even end up saving between 15 and 25%," he said.
It is also worth bearing in mind that midweek flights tend to be the cheapest as people limit the amount of time they need off work by booking over the weekends. "However, some airlines also offer flash sales," he continued. "To keep on top of these and avoid missing out on any bargains, I’d suggest signing up for a newsletter service like Jack’s Flight Club. They reach out to you directly about exciting deals, allowing you to bag flights along some of the world’s most desirable routes for a fraction of their usual price."
Another savvy way to keep costs down is by taking sleeper trains when travelling, as they supply transport and accommodation all in one. "I cannot recommend taking sleeper trains enough. Not only do they provide hassle-free transport between destinations but by sleeping on board, you also evade having to pay an additional cost for accommodation," he said.
"What’s more, sleeper trains are typically cheaper than flights and high-speed alternatives, which already saves you money. Plus, they are way more comfortable than buses and have very few baggage restrictions." Sleeper trains also deliver you right into town and city centres, as well as offering a more eco-friendly mode of transport than flying or driving.
Check out by signing up to our free weekly newsletter.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
