There’s nothing quite like a European city break for a long weekend abroad.
After all, hotspots such as Paris, Prague, Budapest and Rome are all seeped in history and culture, not to mention they boast seriously spectacular landmarks.
The best part is, a city break is surprisingly easy to do if you’re sticking to a budget – as long as you know the right tricks.
We teamed up with the travel gurus at TripAdvisor who have shared their top hacks and tips for getting the best bang for your buck.
Oh, and just in case you’re in need of some extra inspiration, we’ve also rounded up the best last-minute cheap city break deals that should be on your radar.
1. Peak times mean peak prices
Consider the time you travel; if you’re heading off during bank holiday weekends or the school holiday dates, prices will invariably be more expensive than regular weekends.
It’s worth using a flight comparison tool which will allow you to select the month you want to travel, and pull up the dates where you can snap up the cheapest seats.
2. Loyalty pays
If you’re travelling regularly or planning a couple of city breaks next year, then it’s worth signing up for a hotel loyalty programme where you can collect rewards – it’s a win win!
It’s also worth checking existing loyalty schemes and cards you’re a member of in case they offer any rewards on holidays and flights too.
3. Customise your search
When you’re searching for a travel bargain, filters are your friends! Not only will they help you find the hotel that’s right for your trip, but they can also be a nifty way of searching out the best prices.
For example, the ‘Best Value’ filter on TripAdvisor displays hotels that offer the best value for you according to a number of things like how well rated they are, prices, booking popularity and location. (Not to mention it learns your travel preferences over time so will show you the best hotels to suit you personally!).
4. Avoid taking taxis
They can be tempting when you’re in an unfamiliar place, but trying planning your route ahead of time and take public transport, or even walk – it’s all part of exploring the city AND you’ll save money.
5. Compare prices
It may sound obvious, but be thorough in your search when you compare prices. You want to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/news/top-tips-cheap-city-break-11608074
The good news is you don’t need to spend hours scouring the internet to try and work out where to find the best price, as there are plenty of price comparison websites – for example, TripAdvisor searches over 200 sites, including hotel websites, in an instant to find the lowest rates available.
6. Keep an eye on exchange rates
It’s a handy hack if you’re looking to maximise your budget! If you’re torn between a few destinations, look up the exchange rates and head to the hotspot offering you the best value for your money.
And even if you’ve already booked your trip, it’s worth researching different suppliers to ensure you’re getting the best deal when changing your hard-earned cash.