Let's make a day of it!
There’s a name for them – daycations – and they’re a great way to recharge your batteries. But you need to watch that entrance fees and meals don’t end up costing more than a mini-break.
This summer, half of us will swap extended breaks for a series of individual days off, according to research by the National Trust. Of course, taking daycations means you save on air fares and accommodation costs, but you can also save on everything else – from petrol prices and train tickets to entrance fees – too.
Step one: top travel tactics
Be flexible and save a third off the cost of train tickets when you travel outside peak hours. As a general rule, tickets are cheapest after 10am and if you avoid 4pm to 7pm. Also, sometimes it’s cheaper to buy two singles rather than a return ticket, so always check.
Plan ahead – tickets cost less if you can buy them months, weeks or even a day before you travel. Timetables are usually released 12 weeks in advance.
Go with friends and halve the cost. If you’re travelling by train in London or the South East, ask for a GroupSave ticket, which means three or four people can travel together for the price of two adults (www.daysoutguide.co.uk).
Invest in a railcard and save one-third. The Family and Friends Railcard costs £28 a year but gives you a third off adult and up to 60% off kids’ off-peak fares across Great Britain.
Save booking fees! Buy train tickets direct from the train company, if possible. Sites such as www.thetrainline.com or www.raileasy.co.uk are handy for comparing prices, but credit card and other booking charges can soon add up (up to £4.50 for www.thetrainline.com).
Search for the cheapest place to buy petrol locally at www.petrolprices.com. A 5p per litre difference adds up to a £2.50 saving each time you fill a 50-litre tank. Find out if you’re likely to hit traffic by logging on to www.rac.co.uk or www.viamichelin.co.uk and alter your route before you leave.
Step two: book early
Check the website of the place you want to visit a few days before you go. Many attractions offer cheaper tickets if you book online at least 24 hours before your trip. (But check height and age restrictions for rides first!) If you buy tickets online to Alton Towers, in Staffordshire (www.altontowersresort.com), at least the day before a trip, adult admission drops from £39.60 to £31.68, saving £7.92.
Book a visit to the Eden Project in Cornwall (www.edenproject.com) seven days in advance and adult tickets cost £3 less (£17 rather than the £20).
Don’t let rain spoil your day... Visit an aquarium. Go with friends: group entrance fees often work out cheaper.
Step three: people power
Entrance fees are often significantly reduced when larger groups are joining in the fun, so it’s worth getting together with friends or another family. Go in a group of seven to Thorpe Park in Surrey and adult entry tickets drop from £39.60 to £25.80. If there are more than 10 in your party, tickets booked online are only £23.40 each – saving £16.20. (www.thorpepark.com)
Groups of 10 or more visiting ZSL London or Whipsnade Zoo (www.zsl.org) can trim 20% off the price of online entry tickets and 15% off at the gate.
Ten or more people visiting Edinburgh Dungeons together can buy entry tickets for 45% less than the standard price, if booked in advance. (www.the-dungeons.co.uk)
Step four: find fabulous freebies
Spend a day exploring famous film locations – sure to be a hit with the kids. The website www.visitbritain.com has a great range of suggestions, including London’s Leadenhall Market and Durham Cathedral, which featured in the Harry Potter films. Visit ‘Top British Film Locations’ on the site.
Discover family-friendly routes for walking and cycling through local forests at www.forestry.gov.uk. Try www.nationaltrail.co.uk and www.sustrans.org.uk for more routes and maps.
Click 'Next' for more top money-saving tips for family days out
Post your comment
You must be registered on All About You to post comments. If you don't have an account, join now - it's free!
