Booked flights for a holiday but now can't afford it. WWYD?

[Cheeseer]

I booked some flights to a European country 6m ago for the summer. Was planning to take the kids to their first ever holiday abroad. They have never been and really want to go. The only holidays we get are in the UK for a week per year if we can afford it. The kids do love them but they yearn to go abroad.

I thought if I booked the flights early, I could put aside some money each month to save up in time for the summer.

However, each month something comes up and I haven't put anything away. If I start from now, I would have enough to cover accomodation which I haven't booked but nothing left for food, fun, travel etc.

I know Ive messed up but things are so expensive and prices are going up month to month and I just can't seem to have any money left over at the end of the month.

Should I plan to go to the hol and see what happens, can't do excursions or anything, very basic food or should I just leave it and lose the flight money and never plan a holiday unless I have the funds for it.

OP, I'm someone else who would 100% go. A lot of the best things to do in Lisbon are either free or very cheap. The famous yellow tram up the hill to the Alfama is actually a local tram, not just for tourists (nb if you do this, keep a close eye on your belongings as it has a reputation for being a pickpocketing hotspot). And the Alfama is so beautiful and perfect for strolling around, stopping for the occasional pastry or gelato.

The train journey to Cascais, and the gorgeous beaches there, is cheap, short and you have a beautiful view the whole way. Pasteis de nata and ice-cream are very cheap, and so is ginjinha (cherry liqueur).....you'll have a great time.

And tbh, now you've paid for the flights, the rest of the trip will probably be significantly cheaper than a holiday in the UK.

😂 I have a DH. Why there's alot of "I" in my posts is because it's mostly me that manages the finances.

Ubers in Lisbon are super cheap. We got one from the airport to our central accommodation and it cost literally about a fiver. Could hardly believe it. Agree a day at the beach in Cascais is worth it, can’t remember how much the train cost, but definitely wasn’t much.

Pretty sure I commented earlier already but honestly, just get away from the big tourist spots - you won’t regret it. Portugal has way more to see than just Lisbon and Algarve. Way more.

I think if you tell the children now it will be much easier to get them on board with cutting back and saving. You could ask them if they want an easter egg or if they want to put the money towards holiday spending money, or if they want a treat you can say no, we can put that money towards the holiday.
When our children were younger they would get excited about saving for the holidays, especially if they could see savings growing in a penny jar or a graph.

Yes, but if you're on a very very tight budget they're more difficult to get to. Best stick to the capital city with its affordable public transport network, where they're arriving anyway.

If you say so lol I’m sure a tourist knows better 🫡

I'm not even a tourist, but....how are they going to get to these lovely places?

When they're there (still without transport) are they going to be able to get to a large supermarket to stock up on cheap food, or will they be reliant on small expensive local shops?

Will there be the kind of free things that are available for kids in cities- playgrounds, watching street performers, free local events and festivals?

What will be there for them to do if they fancy a change of scene, remembering they still have no transport?

Will there be a plethora of cheap bakeries, holes-in-the-wall, street food joints, or just one fairly expensive restaurant? 🤔

epa eu já não moro aí há muito tempo, mas é a primeira vez que ouço alguém dizer que umas férias em Lisboa com crianças ficam mais em conta do que no Gerês ou na Serra da Estrela. Até o Azibo dá para férias 5 estrelas e muito mais baratas do que a roulette mais barata de Lisboa, tendo em conta que é para uma família inteira.

Look how much it would cost for you to move them to a date in 2026, may just be a change fee or could be a fare difference also

I’m rooting for you OP. When my 3 were kids we would have happily stayed somewhere like this.

https://www.airbnb.com/l/fAkWudAy

its £120 per night (or less) in August and Airbnb now has klarna

share dates if you want me to have a better look x

Where do you live? Is it somewhere people would like to visit? I travelled all over with my children when they were young just exchanging our flat. There’s free exchange sites on FB.

Travel insurance? Use Compare the Market, and go for the cheapest option that covers for medical conditions. Try not to get carried away with extras, as long as you are covered for medical, which is expensive. If you use Compare the Market you will get a year of discounted cinema tickets and meals too

Lisbon is not very expensive comparing to majority of European destination. I'm heading there myself for a weekend soon so have vague idea of costs and layout.

Plenty of attractions to see are close to each other. Depends what part of the city you are staying at but with self catering you could close yourself in 300 euro for all 5 of us.

Go into chat gpt, put area you staying at, how long you staying, self catering, what you want to do or ages of children and ask it to plan it out for you based on your budget!

If you have a save the change feature on your accounts then switch it on, it soon adds up. I’ve just cashed mine in to exchange for euros as I go away soon. Also check for any bank account switches you’re eligible for, this can be lucrative, especially if you and DH have separate accounts

Asking ChatGPT to create an itinerary is genius! I’m off to do mine now.

How would you get there from Lisbon?

Assuming you don’t have lots of debt already, I think you can make this happen OP and you will be so proud of yourself if you do. Rope the DCs in and tell them that if you have a few months of frugal living, you’ll be going on holiday abroad. Make sure you have travel insurance. (I’ve found the Post Office travel insurance quite good in the past but use Moneysupermarket for comparisons).
Make saving for the holidays a game. See who can come up with the best ideas for saving.
Can you ask parents not to give birthday presents this year but contribute to kids’ spending money instead.
Lisbon is a cheap city and there are lots of places to visit for free. You can walk all round the centre. It’s a great city to explore on foot. Make sure every kid has a back pack and a refillable water bottle. Super comfortable trainers, then just shorts and Tees.
Can you and husband do as much overtime as possible? Sell you stuff on Vinted and get the kids to do a clear out and sell old toys etc. can you use a zero percentage credit card for some of your usual expenses and pay it off slowly when you get back? (Keep the frugal living going till it’s all paid off). Use a mono card abroad to avoid excessive card fees. You can eat cheaply at the stalls in the Time Out market. Supermarket food is cheap and good. Good luck. I think it will be a holiday to remember.

Here’s what chat GPT recommends for a cheap family holiday for five in Lisbon I. Summer.

That sounds like a fantastic summer trip! Lisbon is a brilliant city for families – full of sunshine, colour, history, and kid-friendly fun. Since flights and accommodation are sorted, let’s focus on maximising enjoyment on a budget.

✨ Lisbon Family Holiday Itinerary (Budget-Friendly)
Duration: Assuming 5-7 days
Group: 2 adults + 3 kids
Goals: Fun, affordable, family-friendly, low-stress

🏰 Top Free / Cheap Activities

1. Explore Belém (Free & Beautiful)

🌉 Stroll along the river and visit:Belém Tower (outside views are free)Monument to the DiscoveriesMAAT Museum – cheap or free for under 12s🍰 Treat yourselves to Pastéis de Belém (iconic custard tarts)2. Ride Tram 28 (€3.10 single / or use public transport pass) Vintage tram through the prettiest parts of the cityTip: Go early morning or late evening to avoid crowds3. Lisbon Story Centre or Puppet Museum (Affordable & Engaging) Educational and interactive, great for curious kids4. Castelo de São Jorge (Kids under 12 free) Stunning views + castle ruins to explorePack a picnic for the gardens to save on lunch5. Lisbon Oceanarium (Worth the entry fee – €15–€22) One of Europe’s best – a must for families 🌊 Day Trips from Lisbon (Budget-Friendly) ✅ Sintra Magical palaces & forests – kids will love Pena PalaceGo by train (€2–€4) and bring a packed lunchSome hikes and views are free if you skip ticketed palaces✅ Costa da Caparica or Carcavelos Beach Easy train or bus ride, clean family beachesBring beach gear and picnic – full day of fun for very little 🍽️ Eating Well on a Budget Top Tips: Go for "menu do dia" (daily specials) – filling and cheap!Supermarkets like Pingo Doce and Continente for snacks, drinks, and DIY picnicsTime Out Market – touristy but has affordable kid-friendly optionsBifanas (pork sandwiches), grilled chicken, or seafood rice – local, cheap, delicious 🎟️ Transport & Passes Buy a Viva Viagem card (one-time €0.50) and load with zapping credit or day passesCovers metro, buses, trams, ferries – huge savings vs. individual ticketsKids under 4 usually travel free 📅 Sample 5-Day Itinerary Day Morning Afternoon Evening 1 Explore Alfama & Tram 28 Castelo de São Jorge Picnic dinner & sunset 2 Day trip to Sintra Explore parks Dinner at local tasca 3 Oceanarium Expo riverside walk Time Out Market 4 Belém sights & pastries MAAT / Jerónimos Monastery Ice cream at Praça do Comércio 5 Beach day! Sandcastles + swim Pizza or grill in the evening 🧳 Pro Tips: Bring refillable water bottles – tap water is safe and freeSunscreen & hats are essential – Lisbon gets HOT Keep small change for trams & snacks

Would you like a printable PDF version of this plan or a packing list for the kids too?

What does your dh say what money is he putting aside? Can he sell something?

Coach.

Abroad with children and to money is not wise op.

Can’t you borrow a few hundreds to family? Put it on credit card? Just do it this one time and …lesson learned.

Talk openly with your DH and ask him for ideas
Even though you deal with day to day finances, a holiday is a big event for you.
I really hope you can manage to get away.

If it's summer and likely to be good weather, go. You can self cater, and just don't buy stuff or pay for extras.