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Now that the cold weather has arrived and woolen jumpers have come into prominence, our minds naturally go towards sunny weather and exciting adventures.
Whether your ideal getaway is a tropical beach or a European backpacking trip, a smart booking strategy can turn it into reality.
Creating unforgettable memories doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Here are smart tips and savvy tricks to help you save money when planning a 2026 vacation.
plan ahead
“If you can book three to nine months in advance you can often get good deals, especially for packaged holidays or if you’re booking a family,” says Laura Cardon-Lowell, travel expert and head of operations. transfer trip,
Use comparison sites
Resist the temptation to book the first deal you see on your feed, because with a little patience and research you may find something even better.
“Take a look around before you go on your first holiday and use comparison sites to compare prices,” Carden-Lowell advises. “Like comparison sites skyscanner And Hopper is fantastic.”
book separate flights
“Booking a one-way flight is often a great hack and can be a good way to reduce flight prices, as booking a return flight can often be more expensive,” says Cardon-Lovell.
Think about whether an all-inclusive vacation is worth it
Do your research and consider self-catered accommodation.
“I think all-inclusive vacations can be more convenient and potentially cheaper for families and larger parties, but for solo travelers I think there are ways you can make it cheaper by only buying local food, for example,” Carden-Lowell says.
Book a holiday outside peak season
Avoid crowds and ridiculously inflated flight costs by traveling outside peak season.
“The shoulder season, usually between September and March (except Christmas and New Year’s), is probably the best time of year to go on vacation to get cheap tickets,” says Cardon-Lovell. “Most destinations are also less crowded this time of year.”
Consider Using a Resale Platform
“If you can’t be flexible in terms of dates, using resale markets is often a good way to get a cheaper vacation package,” says Carden-Lovell. “If someone can’t go on their vacation, they can list it on a resale marketplace like Transfer Travel and you can often get a very good deal.
“I know reselling platforms have been maligned for not being safe, but they are generally a simple, safe and legitimate way to do this, rather than Facebook market. Just make sure you check that customer services is verifying each listing and that the platform you’re using has a secure payment method.
“I think it’s a good idea to really stay away from popular destinations and instead consider going on holiday to somewhere like Eastern Europe, for example, which is likely to be cheaper in 2026,” Carden-Lowell says. “Colocations are also on trend and Scandinavian countries are really nice and generally cheap to travel now. Mediterranean countries like Greece and Portugal are also looking very cheap in the 2026 forecast.”
Consider Alternative Accommodation
Fancy hotels often come with eye-watering prices, so why not try something different.
“For budget travelers, places like hostels are often very affordable and Airbnb can often be a cheaper alternative to normal hotels as well,” says Carden-Lovell. “Staying outside the major tourist centers is also a good tip to save money on accommodation during the summer holidays.”
book train in advance
“We have seen that slower travel, so taking longer to reach a destination, is increasing in popularity,” Carden-Lovell highlighted. “So, take the Sundar Train for example. Trains can be quite expensive so I would recommend booking them in advance.”
Look for mid-week departures
“Timing is everything,” says Jacques Maritz, co-founder. diaspora exploration“If you can, book flights for Tuesday or Wednesday as midweek departures are often significantly cheaper than weekend travel. It’s also worth checking prices from regional airports, where lower demand may translate into smaller surcharges and more affordable fares.”
check on sunday
“When it comes to accommodation, keep an eye on Sundays,” advises Maritz. “Industry data consistently shows this is the cheapest day of the week to book a hotel. Travelers should also consider package deals, as bundling flights, hotels and sometimes activities together is often cheaper and saves you hidden costs.”