With UK holidaymakers spending an average of £1,300 on their summer holiday, finding a bargain can be a challenge. Whether you’re on a tight budget or you’re just looking to see how far your money will stretch, we’ve put together five savvy ways you can save money on your 2017 summer jaunt…

Be cautious using price comparison websites

Although price comparison websites are useful when trying to find the best deal for your holiday, their listings can be distorted. Indeed, many travel providers will offer an almost unbelievably low rate for your holiday, but then charge you extras in the same way that low-cost airlines do. Make sure that you do your research before you click book, and find out exactly what you’re getting for your money. You may soon find that it’s cheaper to book directly with a travel operator.

Book directly

Although you can certainly find a last-minute bargain on price comparison websites, booking directly through a travel agent or operator is also a wise choice. Whether you call the agent directly to find the best price or you rely on a special offers section, such as the Rhine river cruise offers through Imagine Cruising, you’ll soon see that booking direct is cheaper than you thought. You may also find additional benefits to booking directly, such as free Wi-Fi or an extended cancellation policy.

Book in advance

Booking your holiday well in advance may seem risky, but it’s a great way to grab a bargain and secure your dream holiday. What’s more, booking in advance gives you something to look forward to, so it makes sense to do so if you know exactly where you want to go and you know that your plans won’t change. Long haul flight prices tend to go up rather than down in the run up to departure, so booking in advance gives you a chance to save money.              

Be school holiday savvy

If you have no option than to book a holiday during the summer holiday, then go for the latest possible date. The final week of August and the first week of September are usually cheaper than the rest of the summer holiday period, while the October half term holiday is also an option.

Exchange currency in advance

It can be easy to forget about exchanging your currency before you travel, but doing so is essential if you want to save money and make the most out of your holiday. Airport and overseas exchange rates are famously low, so shop around in the United Kingdom to get the best rates and pre-order your currency online. Some websites even offer cash back on currency exchange, and offer delivery of currency to your front door, meaning there’s one less thing to worry about.