We are all about finding ways to keep more money in your pocket, so here’s a quick hack on how to spend as little as possible this holiday season — including some great tips on how to bag the best accommodation for less, how to get a stay away for free and how to pitch up in a stunning location for as little as £10.
1. Holiday in the UK
This goes without saying. We have so many beautiful places here at home. It’ll save you the cost of splashing out on flights and you won’t have to spend extra money on exchanging your cash for a different currency before you go. From the beautiful beaches of Norfolk or Cornwall to being in the middle of National Parks, in forests and in the thick of it all in historic cities, check out our website to book your stay at a location in England or Wales.
2. Travel by public transport
Getting to grips with public transport can be an easy and cheap way to get around. YHA members get 10% off 16-25, Family & Friends, Two Together or Senior one-year railcards and often train companies will make cheaper tickets available if you book well in advance. Many of our hostels are reachable by public transport, we love how you can get a train right up to the door of YHA Okehampton. Buses are also offering all sorts of megadeals at the moment, for example you can buy family tickets from £10 on open top buses around the South West coast. Why not stay at one of our Cornish hostels and try it out?
3. Share a room
Hostels are such a great option for your holiday because there are so many choices. Book a shared dorm room from as little as £15 per night, even in the height of summer, or there are private rooms from £40. If you get a room with six beds then it can be as little as £18 per person per night, even in August, so it makes sense to get a group of friends or family together and split the cost. We also have some great hostels on YHA Exclusive Hire, which means you and your best friends and family can take an entire hostel to yourself. The bigger the group, the cheaper the cost!
4. Be flexible and book ahead
Sometimes, your favourite holiday location may not be available on your preferred holiday dates. If so, consider an adventure nearby. At YHA we have a variety of properties, and you may discover a new favourite. It’s always worth checking 60 days from your arrival date if there’s new availability as more accommodation may have been released.
Top tip: Use the hostel search function on our homepage and select ‘Only show hostels with availability’ which will filter the results to find the latest availability on the dates you’re wanting to stay at different locations throughout England and Wales.
5. Make the most of our special deals
Book in advance to get the best prices at a location you want. If you’re more flexible about where you’re going, look out for promotions. Check out our special deals page to see where you can get the biggest bargain. Also consider doing midweek breaks which is when rooms are often the cheapest. Sign up for our newsletters and keep tabs on our social media pages – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to snap up deals when they become available. If you become a YHA member you’ll get 10% off every booking plus discounts on outdoor gear, travel and more. Always book direct on our website for the best price.
6. Fuel your adventures with our food options
One of the best things about staying in a hostel is, unlike in a hotel, you have the advantage of using our self-catering kitchens to make your own meals as well as being able to enjoy a varied menu at our on-site cafes. We have some fabulous food offers such as kids eat for £1 — where under 10s can enjoy a kids meal for just £1 whenever an adult buys an unlimited breakfast or main meal costing £6 or more. Fill your boots!
7. Volunteer and stay for free
A great way to have a change of scenery and do some good is to volunteer with YHA. Some of our opportunities include accommodation. There’re working parties at various hostels across the country that include free accommodation and we also help with travel expenses. It’s a great way of making new friends, seeing new places and being a good citizen all in one.
8. Pitch up under the stars
Not only do we offer reasonably priced rooms but at many of our hostels you can camp with your own tent from just £10 a night whilst also getting to use hostel facilities like the showers and self-catering kitchens. If you prefer a little more comfort we have an array of other camping options including bell tents, safari tents, tipis, camping pods and Landpods so you can leave the kit behind, and turn up with family and dog, as four-legged friends are also welcome.
9. Be your own guide
Before you go to any destination, become your very own tour guide by doing free online research. Travel blogs are a great place to start, they can be a goldmine of information, and are free to read. Also, make use of our hostel managers who are very knowledgeable about the local area. When you’re in a great location there is always plenty to do that’s free — nature walks (including our free downloadable maps for self-guided walks from the hostel’s front door), beaches, free museums and art galleries. Plus many of our properties now have fantastic outdoor games like table tennis, boules, quoits, or special dark sky boxes so you can view the stars. All for free!
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