Top ways UK holidaymakers make money go further

A fascinating new survey has revealed the top ten ways Brits make their money go further while on holiday.

The Opinium survey, commissioned by stand-alone car hire excess insurance provider iCarhireinsurance.com, identified the most popular money-saving tricks:

1. Weigh down hand luggage, rather than suitcase, to avoid extra baggage charge: A fifth (21%) put heavy items in their hand luggage or buggy to avoid excess baggage charges.
2. Wear extra clothes to avoid excess baggage charge: 15% wear extra clothes such as jumpers and coats on a flight to avoid excess baggage charges. Young people are the most likely to do this.
3. Sleep on transport/at the airport to avoid paying for accommodation: One in ten (10%) sleep on transport or at the airport to avoid paying for accommodation. Unsurprisingly, younger age groups were almost twice as likely to do this than over 55s.
4. Avoid expensive in-flight refreshments: A third (36%) take their own food on flights to avoid expensive in-flight food, but those living in the Northern Ireland are particularly savvy, with half taking a packed lunch on flights (50%).
5. Breakfast buffet lunch thieves: A third (34%) admit to the old favourite of taking food from the breakfast buffet for lunch.
6. “Don’t forget, you are 4 not 5 today!”: One in ten (10%) lie about their child or children’s age to get cheaper entry into an attraction, show or event.
7. Freebies from the hotel room: The most popular money-saving trick is taking hotel freebies, such as shampoo and conditioner, with nearly half (47%) doing this.
8. Eat in less touristy areas rather the pay the premium of attraction/sea front: There can be a big price difference for a meal with a view, and a third (36%) are happy to do without.
9. Book activities online when away to get the best prices: Nearly a third (32%) book activities online in advance to save money.
10. Drink own alcohol before going out: A quarter (25%) drink alcohol they have bought with them, or from a supermarket, before going out to save money.

Ernesto Suarez, CEO and founder of iCarhireinsurance.com, said: “Holidays are expensive, and finding ways to keep costs down is a great way to make holiday money go further from eating in a less touristy restaurant, to wearing all your clothes to avoid extra baggage charges, or even persuading children to fib about their age.”

“Saving money is also important when you’re hiring a car. Excess insurance is one of the most expensive extras sold by rental companies at the rental desk, adding on average £160 to the car hire bill. Buying in advance from iCarhireinsurance.com could be one of the most effective ways of making those holiday pounds go further.”