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

Caravan in new quay west wales! Book privately to avoid extortionate haven prices! Most amazing view, walks and sandcastles on the beach, dolphin spotting at the harbour and fish n chips sat looking over the bay! Priceless!

WEll the last one was done using Air BnB. Saved a lot of money, as it meant we could cook at home too.

Always go on self-catering holidays when money is tight, and take plenty of games for rainy days.

Eating like cal !!

Taking photographs is a good way to save money as you do not need expensive equipment to do this plus the whole family can join in

Search for deals and then when you have found one you like, use a cashback site for that provider ... might as well get 2 discounts :)

This isn't a tip about saving costs on hols exactly but it is relevant if you suffer a flight delay on the way home as we did last year. Regardless of the circumstances, make sure you apply for compensation. We had a 4 hour delay coming back from a Greek island last year and we received compensation which was fixed under EU law. Covered half the cost of the holiday!

You can save so much by preparing picnics, flasks and drinks rather than buying while out and about! I buy a 12 pack of cheap bottled water every so often and re-use the bottles to make up vimto until the bottles break or need replacing. Sandwiches and fruit are quick and easy to put together.

If you get guide books and maps from the library before your trip then research can pay off with numerous brilliant free days out and if you have lots of plans made then when you're actually away on holiday your time is spent enjoying it rather than trying to figure out what to do!

One year we were both out of work but determined the kids should have some kind of holiday. We did own a tent. We found a campsite that cost the grand sum of £8 per night - and that included use of the showers and a crown green bowling green. It was situated very close to a beach. Needless to say the kids became very proficient at building sand castles and bowling. We took lots of cold food and drinks and bought only a few meals and ice-creams. We made our own fun playing lots of games on the beach and in the tent at night and although we wouldn't call it our best holiday it was still a holliday and we had a lot of fun.
So whatever your situation, shop around, stick to your budget and be prepared to put a bit of work in and you can still have a great time.

Rent a larger holiday property and share the costs with another family :)

Give kids holiday money, they can spend it on souvenirs, ice cream, arcade etc but when it's gone it's gone. It's funny how an arcade isn't as attractive when you are spending your own money! It saves the constant "can I have" questions and you don't have to say no all the time, it also makes an extra ice cream treat etc is more of a treat!

Its not all show. The kids will still remember a great holiday if the suitcase/camera/clothes etc aren't the latest ones. They just want to be with you x

Book eSrly to get the best deals

with a self catering option you can always have food available for snacks and lunch rather than pay restaurant prices, but if in a hot country don't buy too much as it goes off very quick even in refrigerator and you eat less in heat, best to stock up on ice creams though!

Camping or self-catering.
Give the dc an "ice cream budget" e.g. £1 a day. They choose how to spend it and it saves a lot of arguments or debate about which ice cream. Suddenly everyone is happy with a multipack from the supermarket.
Find local food shops abroad, not the tourist grocery shops.

Swap your house via a home exchange website. Hotel costs are usually the biggest expense on holiday, so if you can eliminate the accommodation costs, your saving potential is huge! You can also use the home cooking facilities to make meals, thereby reducing your savings even further; though it is nice to eat out and sample the local cuisine.

if you can take your own packed lunches, drinks etc., Look for money off vouchers for local places of interest, you'll often see them at motorway service stations in the area when you stop for a wee break, or big brands like Kelloggs seem to regularly do a free entry with their cereal packets

Play around with holiday dates and/or flight times - searching properly can mean saving a few hundred pounds on the total. And for our family, all inclusive has always worked out to be better value-for-money - but only if your holiday plan is to lie by a pool and make use of the onsite facilities. If you plan to explore and visit different places then all inclusive is a waste of money

Camping! It teaches the children to be aware of external issues, encourages to solve problems and show them how to enjoy with the minimum.
Best teacher in town!

Avoid american branded soft fizzy drinks - drink the local wine or encourage the kids to drink refreshing tea

book early to get the best at the best price, both the DCs, us and the dog love just playing or walking the beach which is absolutely free

We set a budget per day so that we can plan around our activities.

Go to the supermarket and buy bread and cheese, meats for sandwiches to eat on the beach.

We tend to go all inclusive as my DS is a fussy eater and so its easier for us to have all the food onsite, if not going AI then I would suggest making up packed lunches or choosing set menus in restaurants as they can be great value, and just getting on buses and seeing little towns and villages overseas is great way to soak up some rays, its cheap and its exercise, plus the beach is a great free way to spend a day, take your own towels if you don't want to hire beds.

Save every penny. it still helps