9 ways to save money on self-catering holidays
7 min read
Table of Contents


Self-catering holiday seasons are additional well-known than ever, but do not believe this means forking out obscene quantities of income. We’ve put collectively our best strategies for any one keen to get the job done out how to preserve money on self-catering breaks – with a minor assistance from some well-put authorities.




Few vacations allow for you the freedom of a self-catering split. From having what you want, when you want, to supplying you the possibility to escape to somewhere far more distant, it is no shock self-catering getaways proceed to increase in reputation.
So listed here are our 9 tips to make your self-catering continue to be your greatest holiday break nevertheless…
1. Really don’t get obsessed with dates
Our prime idea? Steer clear of peak period. “Book out of period if you can,” states Laura Moss, director of Luxury Coastal. “And contemplate remaining mid-7 days rather of through a weekend, when prices are lessen.” If you have obtained little ones in your team, it can be harder to do this, but there are nevertheless financial savings to be experienced throughout peak durations.
The mid-7 days solution can still reap substantial rewards, and booking stays at the starting or end of university vacations (instead than in the center) can conserve you substantial quantities of cash.
Do not get fixated on particular dates, possibly. Certainly, your self-catering getaway could nicely be supposed to mark a marriage anniversary or a friend’s birthday, but does it seriously issue if your stay will take position a 7 days just after the major working day?
Study Far more: Unconventional locations to keep in the Uk
2. Do your research
In submit-COVID times, travel agents have been a lifeline, assisting us navigate scheduling procedures and proffering invaluable guidance relating to anything from the ideal areas for low-cost self-catering breaks to coverage. But never slip into the practice of constantly relying on them for your self-catering vacation, even if it’s one in a foreign region.
Vacation brokers – even the on the internet-only kinds – make a commission, and usually have allegiances to certain attributes or locations. Usually book immediate if achievable, especially if the property is just one you’re possible to take a look at once again.
Setting up a relationship with the proprietor minimises the danger of miscommunications and can open up the likelihood of likely long term savings, as effectively as various perks – even if it’s just a bottle of fizz on arrival.
kryzhov/Shutterstock
3. Know your acronyms
Self-catering properties don’t want certifications such as ABTA and ATOL, but there are however a lot of approaches to test your assets satisfies specific benchmarks, and to make sure you are receiving the most effective price for income.
Web sites these types of as Trustpilot have 1000’s of testimonials of self-catering houses and are a wealth of details, and it is also well worth asking what organisations the assets is affiliated to.
“The principal accreditation bodies are the countrywide Tourist Boards (VisitEngland, VisitWales, VisitScotland and VisitIreland) and The AA, which all use Frequent Criteria, and Excellent in Tourism,” says Beth Bailey at Premier Cottages. “All of these bodies physically inspect qualities and give them a grading based on a set established of criteria. Properties accredited by VisitEngland and the AA are outlined on ratedtrips.com.”
4. Be adaptable – within just explanation
Though we have described that currently being prepared to guide outside the house of peak period or compromising on certain elements can help save big amounts of income, it’s crucial to bear other critical criteria in thoughts.
Self-catering breaks are meant to be pleasurable, soothing getaways, so settling for 2nd most effective may effectively be a wrong economic system, particularly if you shell out the complete week acquiring takeaways because the kitchen is also smaller, or splurging on taxi fares due to the fact you tried to preserve cash by opting for a assets in the back again of further than.
Prior to scheduling, attract up a listing of non-negotiables – regardless of whether they relate to locale, room dimensions or amenities – and stick to it.
5. Come across a close friend or two
We’re business believers in the phrase “the a lot more the merrier”, and so is Luxury Coastal’s Laura Moss. “Fill the residence by scheduling with close friends or various generations of spouse and children members, to carry down the price tag for each person,” says Laura.
Even though we’re not suggesting inviting whole strangers on your self-catering getaway, obtaining a number of additional mates of family members customers should not be tough – primarily as the cost per person will be decreased.
If you are struggling to obtain more men and women, inquire good friends and spouse and children members already on the excursion if there’s any person they’d like to convey, but do your homework. And no, we don’t suggest using the services of a private detective to scope out any likely extra friends. Instead, have a list of standards for added folks. For instance, if the self-catering holiday is a raucous girls’ weekend away, your very best friend’s granny most likely will not be the suitable mattress filler.
DisobeyArt/Shutterstock
Read Much more: 27 spouse and children vacation tips to make your holiday getaway smoother
6. Book in advance – often
When reserving at the last minute can usually assist you bag a deal, if you, or members of the team, have particular demands – whether it is disabled access or related family members rooms – booking nicely in advance is commonly the way to go.
Properties which satisfy specialized niche calls for are frequently several and much among, so think about booking perfectly in progress. This approach applies to much larger groups, also. Afterall, nothing’s worse than organising a substantial getaway only to locate out you’ll have to ditch granny/good Aunt Sally/the canine mainly because the home you had your eye on has been snapped up.
Study A lot more: The top rated 7 on the internet journey brokers for the greatest holiday break bargains
7. The C-word
There is no denying it – COVID-19 has improved the way we journey, and this applies to self-catering vacations. Consider reserving insurance programs which cover you if a person in your team gets COVID, or is not able to go mainly because they are a near speak to.
The fantastic news? Peak times are now fewer outlined, due to the developing selection of individuals functioning from residence or who are utilized less than flexible contracts. Working holidays have also become much more common. In summary, even though durations this sort of as summer months vacations will often be more highly-priced, really don’t rule these intervals out.
Similarly, don’t think that self-catering houses in metropolitan areas will be more expensive. This is no extended the circumstance, basically since the pandemic has intended much more people are scheduling self-catering houses in rural parts, these kinds of as farm stays, instead than designed-up locations. Premiums for larger sized properties are also at an all-time low, for the reason that many folks are still cautious of larger sized groups.
8. Be time savvy
Although self-catering stays through peak periods are frequently additional highly-priced, this is dependent partly on the place. For illustration, self-catering alternatives close to the beach will normally practical experience the most important price tag hikes all through the summer time months, while attributes in towns can be much less expensive, simply just mainly because their peak period will often be the winter – whether that’s due to friends booking pre-Christmas buying trips or article-New Calendar year detox breaks.
As strange as it sounds, we also propose some weather-related investigate related to the location in dilemma. July and August could be the most common intervals for a self-catering crack, for illustration, but they are not necessarily the sunniest. “In the Uk, traditionally, Might and June tend to get much more sunlight hours than July and August, for example,” claims Beth Bailey at Premier Cottages. “During May perhaps and June rates will really be reduced than in July and August, and beach locations and visitor points of interest fewer crowded.”
john mobbs/Shutterstock
Examine Additional: Every thing you need to have to know about road tripping in Europe
9. Even larger is absolutely better
Scheduling a getaway for a large team of pals or spouse and children associates? Normally, we subconsciously rule out larger sized houses for the reason that of the better price tag, but when it will come to larger teams, it will almost often be less costly to ebook 1 greater residence than two more compact types. “In typical, much larger cottages will be cheaper on a “for each head” basis than more compact types,” says Beth Bailey at Leading Cottages.
Direct image: tianalima/Shutterstock



