Vacations, from flights to hotels: 10 tips to save money

Vacations will cost more this year too, with increases affecting practically everything: from hotels to beach umbrella rentals, from restaurants to island ferries , from highways to the inevitable expensive flights. Many will skip vacations or cut back on vacation days, but there are a few tricks to enjoy a well-deserved break. That's why the National Consumers' Union offers ten tips for saving money on your vacation.

1) Flexibility : Not everyone can go on vacation in the low season, when saving money is easier. Vacations in August are often mandatory, but we try to be flexible with dates, for example, by leaving during the week and not right before the weekend.

2) Flights : There are now countless platforms that show us the cheapest routes, even if it sometimes costs us a few extra stops. But we can also save a lot by paying attention to additional fees imposed by airlines, such as for baggage or choosing a seat next to your travel companion. Giving up a few extras won't ruin our vacation, but it will save us a lot.

3) We remain invisible : Most of us now search for and then book our vacations online, but what perhaps not everyone knows is that after searching for a flight or hotel room on a website, it could 'recognize' us when we return to book, and we'll no longer find the initial price, but a higher one. What should we do? We use incognito browsing: this way, the sites we visit during our research won't be able to track our subsequent visits.

4) Watch out for pre-departure expenses : We've searched extensively and finally booked a super-cheap flight. Now we're at the airport ready to depart, and this is where we need to be careful. We don't realize it, but we often spend money before we even begin our vacation, especially during breaks in the journey or while waiting in places where everything is much more expensive: airports, train stations, and service stations. Avoid pre-departure breakfasts and lunches here; packing a sandwich and a water bottle can save us a lot, especially if we have a large family.

5) Transfers and hotels : You can save a lot by choosing alternative modes of transportation, such as local trains or buses. The same goes for accommodations: today we have countless alternatives to the traditional hotel; try a vacation rental or a scattered hotel in a small village. We'll save money and also have a more authentic experience.

6) Daily expenses : Pay attention to what you spend while on vacation. Try not to get carried away with shopping, souvenir shopping, and dining out every day. Try to keep track of your daily expenses (there are many apps that do this for you). Good vacation planning begins with setting a specific budget, which you should, however, at least try to stick to.

7) Restaurants : In places frequented by tourists, restaurant prices skyrocket. Places slightly out of the way, perhaps frequented by locals, are the most affordable and often also the highest quality. Even on vacation, we use apps that allow us to book at a discount, and if we can't finish dinner, we ask to take away any leftovers in a doggy bag. We save money and avoid waste.

8) At the beach : Beach resorts can be really expensive, especially with the price increases of recent years. Pay attention to the rates and maybe book just a couple of days to see if you like it. And remember that you can always bring a sandwich and a drink from home if the beach bar is too expensive.

9) Promotions : When we arrive in a new place, we should find out about the benefits and promotions available locally. Sometimes, to attract tourists, local governments promote offers, for example, to save on accommodations (with an extra night plan), visits to museums or other attractions, and even outdoor activities.

10) Expenses abroad : Be careful about those necessary expenses that you can't avoid when traveling abroad. Currency exchange, ATM withdrawals, and phone and internet costs outside the EU can be very high. Before you leave, for example, find out where it's best to exchange money or which SIM card is the cheapest.