What are your best tips for saving money on family holidays? Share to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher, courtesy of Lloyds Bank. NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

We all know that taking the family away can come with a hefty price tag, but in the cold, dark months everyone could do with having a bit of sunshine to look forward to later in the year. Lloyds Bank would like you to share advice on finding a great family getaway that doesn't break the bank.

Here’s what they said: “Holidays with your family can create memories that last a lifetime, however sometimes your finances can overshadow the time away. Whether it’s early, meticulous planning or a spontaneous last minute break, we would love to hear Mumsnetter’s tips for getting the most value from a family holiday" – Lloyds Bank

We know Mumsnetters are a savvy bunch, so what tips do you have for keeping the cost of your holiday down?

Do you venture off the beaten track when it comes to choosing a destination? Would you plan your own holiday package to find the best individual deals and eliminate unnecessary extras? Maybe you go away with other families to share the cost - or go for self-catering options to control your budget?

Whatever your tips, Lloyds Bank would like to hear them for saving when it comes to booking your family holidays: whether at home or abroad.

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw and one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks,

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

We always do caravan holidays and stay fairly locally. We find it cheaper than camping as we are less tempted to eat out/get takeaways as we have good facilities for cooking and making picnics to take out with us each day. Most of the sites we have stayed at have free evening entertainment too.

Choose a destination.
Buy flights as soon as they come out. Book parking early too.

Research the internet for affordable S/C apartments. Make sure they include a kettle and a toaster for cheap breakfasts.

A day on the beach costs nothing if you take your own drinks and picnic made in your apartment.

Do not book anything with linking through a cashback site and checking for discount vouchers.

Pay with a cashback credit card.

Use price comparison sites for flights and accommodation.

Check your school calendar for TED so that you can fly early or late. Flights on Tues/Wed are usually cheaper.

Compare prices from different airports, they differ greatly. Remember to add the cost of parking and extra fuel needed for different airports.

Research restaurants in the area you are going to and print off any promotion vouchers in advance. We got free wine every night in different restaurants in Zante.

*without linking through cashback site.

Book self catering accommodation, you can cater for yourself and it is much cheaper than eating out all the time.

Picnics and self catering always save on food bills. All inclusive is great as the kids love the never ending ice cream!

all inclusive is the best way as then everything is already paid for and then if you have some spare money pay for day trips whilst there

Thank you all for your comments. The winner of the prize draw is mistywillow17 :)

We alternate UK (usually camping) holidays and holidays abroad; although all inclusive packages seem more expensive, they work out best for our family as all the food/drink are included. If you can also book early and take advantage of the free child places it makes it definitely worthwhile.

We all go camping. It's much cheaper and then we can cook our own food as well. It saves a lot of money.

try and buy all the things you need before you go. Including food if your going self catering in the uk somewhere. Food can be very expensive if eating out all the time!

We go self catering whenever possible. In the UK, we bring a lot of home cooked food and use supermarkets. Abroad we alternate nights in with eating out.

Don't always assume a free child place is cheaper than an 3rd adult sharing. Check which is cheaper, free child place or adult sharing.

Try and go on the sun paper holidays- they work out really cheap if you do your research and has provided our family a holiday when we haven't had a lot of money

Collect vouchers before you go and research area

Package holidays are convenient, but if you break it down and do it yourself- flights, hotel, car hire- it saves a significant amount of money. If you prefer this country try owners direct websites, it again cuts out the middle man and saves money.

Shop around and take advantage of cashback websites

Stick to a budget and make the kids save something from their own pocket money to spend on holiday. This helps to reinforce the value of money.

We always go self catering, and only eat our evening meal out, and even then we always ask if they`ll do deals on the kids meals, theres usually 10 of us and we always get 2 or more of the children free when we do eat out.

Choose Self catering holidays

Self catering is the way to go for us with a toddler. Means we can enjoy a glass or two of wine after she has gone to bed, we can take as much as we need with us in the car and on the odd occasion she has been sick on holiday, full home comforts such as washing machines are a godsend!