Travel swaps to save hundreds of pounds on your next holiday - 'the savings are clear!'

Being smart and intentional with bookings can make a big difference, according to travel expert at Prestige Villas Spain, Agustin Moreno.

Swapping popular destinations for hidden gems, considering train travel and choosing longer holidays are all clever ways to cut costs.

Book a longer trip

Booking multiple short trips can add up quickly, but by staying put, you can often get better rates and offers. Moreno said: "Instead of filling the year with multiple long weeks and short getaways, thinking it would be cheaper, many travellers are going for longer trips instead.

"A longer stay can mean you get a better value per night, with rates often decreasing as the length of stay increases. It also means you cut back on the repeated travel costs, no matter how good the deal on your flights is, like the ever-increasing baggage fees, airport transfers, and travel insurance per trip. By only having to pay for those for one holiday, rather than multiple, you can stretch your overall travel budget considerably."

Choose a hidden gem

Tourist hotspots are popular for a reason, but the price tag often matches the popularity. By travelling just a few towns over, holidaymakers can discover beautiful locations for a fraction of the price.

The travel expert said: "Just staying 15 to 20 minutes outside the most popular postcodes means you can often get larger accommodation for the same price, lower costs per night, and less of the inflation that comes from tourist-heavy areas. You can save around 20 to 40 per cent, depending on your destination, and it means you also redistribute your spending to areas that could need it more than the city centres."

Similarly, finding dupes for your favourite holiday destinations can help you cut back on costs. For example, some lesser-known destinations in Europe can look near-identical to long-haul hotspots, so it is worth looking around for recommendations.

"Destination dupes have been trending for a while, but are still just as important a way to save money," the expert added.

"Instead of going for the most high-profile destinations, full of tourism that inflates the cost, look for an alternative location that has similar things like scenery, weather, food, and landmarks - but can be as much as 50 per cent cheaper in peak seasons.

"If you are only interested in the one destination, and don’t want to go for a dupe, simply searching for a different neighbourhood can have a significant impact on how much you’re spending."

Consider train travel

Flying is a quick and convenient way to travel, but checking rail options could have more affordable deals while providing a more scenic mode of transport.

Moreno said: "Rail travel is seeing a revival, as baggage fees rise and airfares constantly fluctuate.

"Train hopping through various towns, cities, and countries might take a little longer, but it gives you more of an experience than flying, and can be considerably cheaper, as well as being more environmentally-friendly.

"It might not seem much cheaper from the ticket price alone, but when factoring in the cost of baggage and other flight-related costs, the savings are clear – and you can save even more by choosing sleeper trains that mean you don’t have to pay for accommodation."

Eat in while abroad

Sampling local cuisine is a must when abroad, but making some of your own meals can really pay off. The expert said: "Paying for meals every day is a big cost when travelling; whether you’re going for Michelin Star or small local eateries, a family can spend hundreds on three meals a day throughout their trip.

"However, a growing number of tourists are turning trips to the supermarket into a cultural activity. There are over 50 million posts related to grocery store travel on TikTok, with travellers going to the local supermarkets to hunt for the most niche and authentic food and drink the country has to offer. Beyond the fun, replacing even one restaurant meal a day can have significant financial benefits."