Never Too Soon: How to Plan and Budget Your Winter Holiday 

When considering where to book for your winter holidays you might be put off by the expense of ski resorts and winter activities. However, if you plan ahead and budget accordingly you can enjoy a fabulous winter holiday without breaking the bank. Whether you are looking for a low cost family winter activity holiday or for cheap ski deals in the Alps for your next holiday, you can definitely get a bargain break when you know how to plan and budget your winter holiday.

Start planning early

First of all, you need to plan your winter break as soon as possible to get the best deals. As soon as you decide you want a winter holiday, you should start the planning process. Planning and booking early gives you the time to save and budget for your break as well as to take advantage of early booker deals. The earlier you start to plan the more time you will have to find the right winter holiday for you.

Plan your budget

Before you look at anything else, you need to figure out your budget. Knowing exactly what you can spend on your holiday will help you to look in the right places for a holiday that suits you. Start a savings plan by working out how much you can realistically afford to save each month and work out how much you will have by the end of the time period until you want to go on your break. Then you can work out how much you will have in total to sped on your holiday, plus any funds you have already put aside. If you are unsure on how to save you can use a budget planner to give you some help.

Save money on your trip

If you’re looking to save money on your trip, consider volunteering. You can volunteer at a hostel, hotel or within a local community setting and in exchange you will usually receive free accommodation and free food and sometimes even be paid money too.

How do you find these volunteer opportunities? Check out Worldpackers or Work away.

Research your destinations

Next you need to do some research. Look at different destinations you are thinking of visiting and compare what is available at each one. Then compare the prices for different resorts too. Some destinations are more cost effective at different times of the year so make sure you research the prices for the winter time. You should also research the difference between package holidays and booking separately. There is definitely a lot of research involved if you want to plan the best budget holiday but it is worth it to save some money and find a great deal.

Set the dates for your trip

You may have an exact date that you want to travel or you may be more flexible when it comes to holiday dates. But you will still need to have an idea about when you want to go. This way you can filter your search parameters to the certain dates and compare the best prices. Remember it is always cheaper when you book outside of the school holidays and outside of peak season. Keep this in mind when deciding on your dates, but of course this can be tricky of you are travelling as a family with kids of school age.

Decide on your priorities

When deciding on what type of holiday you want to take you should make a list of the essentials, things you really want included in your break. This may be additions such as childcare facilities, kids’ clubs or perhaps the chance to eat at gourmet restaurants or visit exclusive bars. When it comes to activities you may want a winter destination that offers skiing on site and other things to do such as ice skating. So, whether it is family friendly or adults only, decide on the things you cannot do without on your holiday and find a destination that fits your needs.

Look for great deals

Once you know what you want from your holiday and how much you can afford to spend, you can start to look for the perfect break. Use your search parameters and make sure you research the same destination through multiple tour operators and find the best deal for you. Remember to check slightly different dates and different accommodation options which may make a difference to the price. You should also look for sales and special offers at travel agents and certain travel websites to save some money too.

Get discounts and add-ons

There are a few different ways you can get additional discounts when booking holidays. Firstly, you may want to find out when the holiday sales are and look for deals and discounts at the sale time. You can also sign up to travels agents’ newsletters, sometimes you will receive discounts and offers to your email and be notified of any upcoming events. New customers can also be given a certain amount of money off or perhaps a percentage discount for your first booking. Upon booking you can also ask for any extras to be added in. You may get nothing but you might get lucky so it is worth asking the question.

Pay in instalments

Another great way to make your winter holiday affordable is to pay for your holiday in instalments. It means you know that your holiday will be paid in full by the time you go without having to keep track of your savings. It also helps you to break down the total holiday cost of your holiday into manageable chunks without having to pay a lot of money up front. Be careful though to make sure there are no additional charges for making payments this way.

Online or in store?

Most people nowadays research and book their holidays online, it is easy and you can find plenty of great deals across multiple websites. But don’t underestimate the deals you could get from your local travel agent on the high street. There are often exclusive deals and one time offers that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. It is worth checking out deals in store as well as online to make sure you are getting the best price for your holiday.

Don’t go beyond your means

Remember when planning and booking your holiday to make sure you don’t go beyond what you can afford. If you do the right research and find the best deals and discounts you can enjoy a fabulous winter holiday without overspending. Planning your budget and sticking to it means you can enjoy the holiday without the worry of paying for it. Then you can start saving for your next holiday break!

You can plan and budget a great winter holiday

By following the tips and advice above you are sure to find yourself an amazing holiday this winter within your budget. You don’t have to spend a fortune to go on a winter holiday, you just need to find the right deal and start planning early.