Keeping a lid on your travel costs

Keeping a lid on your travel costs

If the credit crunch hasn't put a dampener on your holiday plans and you're still feeling financially robust enough to venture abroad, there are a number of ways to make sure your holiday cash goes a bit further this year.

Access to cashIf you like to take a bundle of cash, Travelex.co.uk is generally the cheapest supplier. To get its best rates you have to book online, and pick up the cash at the airport or port as you depart.

If you prefer to use a cash machine, Nationwide customers come out best. The building society makes no charge for its Flex debit card cash withdrawals abroad. Other bank customers should stick to debit cards (although these will charge around 5%-6% of the sum you withdraw). And avoid using a credit card in cash machines when abroad as the charges really add up.Car hireBooking before you go offers much lower rates. Holidayautos.co.uk is consistently good value. Remember to include the cost of super collision damage waiver when comparing prices. If you're renting a car for a longer period buy a separate SCDW policy from insurance4carhire.com — cover for a whole year in Europe costs £49 — less than the charge for a two-week rental. of a serious emergency. If you want belongings cover, put it on your home contents cover.

Mobile phonesUsing a mobile abroad is still to be avoided unless you are happy to come home to big phone bills. The cost.....continued below

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conscious should stick to texting. It costs nothing to receive a text while abroad. If you plan to make and receive calls, register with your network to get the cheapest package. Data roaming — email and web surfing costs a fortune abroad. Consider putting a foreign SIM card in to your phone. Better still, leave the phone at home.

Getting thereIf you're going by low-cost airline make sure you don't go over your baggage allowance. Avoid airport parking, and take your own sandwiches. Anyone crossing the channel should check out the low-cost ferry operator speedferries.com. One-way fares between Dover and Boulogne start at £18 for a car and five adults.All inclusiveOne way to keep a lid on holiday bills is to opt for an all inclusive package in which all food, wine and children's entertainment are included in the headline price. Such bookings are racing ahead this year according to tour operators who say an inclusive deal is like fixing your mortgage.

The conLastly, don't fall for the old dynamic currency converter trick. If your hotel or restaurant bill arrives in pounds sterling rather than the local currency, don't pay it, as if you do you'll end up being fleeced. You are perfectly in you rights to insist on paying in the local currency. Pay cash instead, if you have to.

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