Don’t blow a small fortune before you’ve even left the airport. Follow this simple advice to get holiday-ready without breaking the bank.
We all love a good deal on flights, hotels and museums when we head abroad, but there are plenty of other travel costs that can quietly chip away at your budget before you’ve even left the country— like airport parking, travel insurance, and overpriced holiday essentials.
The good news? A few simple steps before you take off can help you save money and leave more cash in your wallet for nice wine and cocktails.
Plan how you’ll get to the airport
Most of us will spend hours scouring the internet for the cheapest flights and the best hotel deals, but not give nearly as much thought as to how we’ll actually get to the airport.
Weigh up in advance whether it’s cheaper to get public transport, a taxi, or to drive. Or consider asking a friend or relative if they could drop you off for a percentage of the price of a taxi!
Where you live and the time your flight departs and arrives back home might dictate your travel options. But don’t presume you have to drive to the airport.
If you do decide to drive, book your parking well in advance to get the best deals and to ensure there’s availability. For a five to 10-day trip, you can easily spend up to €100 extra on parking if you leave it until the last minute — money better spent on wine, tapas, or a boat tour!
Avoid spending at the airport
There are very few places where it's acceptable to drink at 6am in the morning. Equally, there are few places where people are happy to fork out €5 for a bottle of water.
But airports are strange places. And with time to spare, money in our pockets, and sometimes limited options, it’s where we’re most likely to let our guards down when it comes to smart spending choices.
While alcohol and perfume will usually be cheaper in the airport, especially if you’re flying outside the EU, this isn’t actually always the case. Do your research beforehand if you plan on buying these items either as a present or for yourself.
And think about bringing a book, laptop or newspaper to pass the time if your flight gets delayed. We often spend needlessly in airports out of boredom or "looking for something to do" — so avoid this.
Finally, don’t leave it until the airport to buy things like travel adaptors, ear plugs, sun cream, night masks, or toiletries. You’re likely to pay far more than online or on the local high street.
Bring your own snacks (and water bottle)
Avoid airport price gouging by packing snacks and bringing an empty refillable water bottle. Most airports have fountains or refill stations past security.
You can also use your bottle when out and about seeing the sights at your holiday destination as all those €5 bottles of water at tourist traps add up — unlike Ireland, most European cities have functioning water fountains.
Don't buy travel-sized toiletries
With new scanners, the limits on liquids may soon be a thing of the past. But for now most travellers still need to abide by them.
Rather than buy travel-sized toiletries, go into a local chemist or discount store and pick up some 100ml plastic bottles and then make your own reusable ones for a fraction of the price.
Buy generic
Many of us will stock up on all the medication essentials before heading away.
Whether you're buying ibuprofen or paracetamol for a headache, antihistamines for allergies, or loperamide (Imodium) for an upset stomach, remember that generic medications are just as effective and often half the price.
Don’t be duped by marketing practices which promise faster or more targeted pain relief. Simply ask your pharmacist for the cheapest generic options that are available.
Shop around for travel insurance
It’s not glamorous, and no one gets excited about buying it — but travel insurance can be a holiday lifesaver.
From lost luggage to cancelled flights, missed connections to medical emergencies, a good policy can save you thousands if something goes wrong.
Shop around for good cover and don’t just go with whatever your airline or booking site is pushing.
And buy the policy as soon as you book your flights — don’t leave it until the last minute. This way you can look for a better price and you’ll be covered if you need to cancel your holiday before you fly.
You can now get travel insurance on bonkers.ie. Get a quote for single trip, annual multi-trip, or winter sports insurance in just minutes.
Simply head over to our travel insurance page and start selecting the cover you need today!
Try catch a bargain before you leave
We all know Ireland is expensive. But that doesn’t mean everywhere else is super cheap.
It can be tempting to pack as light as possible and to pick up things like flip flops, hats, and swimwear when you arrive at your destination or to treat yourself to a designer pair of sunglasses — as nowhere can be as dear as Ireland, right?
But if you’re off to anywhere warm like Spain, Greece or Portugal, you're likely to be staying near a tourist hotspot — some of which have a habit of charging prices that would make even the businesses in Temple Bar blush!
In short, prices abroad may not be as cheap as you think for some items, especially footwear and clothing.
Ireland is particularly expensive for things like accommodation, taxis, eating out, and drinking. So you’ll save on these costs almost anywhere abroad. But clothing and footwear prices in Ireland are actually slightly below the European average. So that beach dress or pair of shorts may actually be cheaper at home than abroad, especially if you shop in the sales before you leave.
A reminder re roaming charges
Thanks to EU rules, we no longer need to worry much about roaming charges in most of Europe. But if you’re travelling outside the EU (and that now includes the UK) hefty fees could apply.
To ensure that the quick Insta story you post from your rooftop pool in Morocco doesn't end up costing more than your Ryanair flight, follow some simple rules.
If your phone is unlocked then consider buying a local SIM and using this instead. If not, consider signing up to a roaming package with your Irish provider before you head off.
Try to call or send messages over WhatsApp using Wi-Fi to avoid racking up nasty charges. And remember, you’ll be charged for receiving calls as well as making them outside the EU. So don’t answer the phone unless it’s urgent.
And download shows, movies, music and podcasts while you’re still in Ireland so you can enjoy entertainment even when offline.
