A family travel expert has shared seven practical hacks to save time and money on school holiday trips, based on her own experiences as a budget-conscious mother of two. Jen Carr, founder of The Travel Mum, says flying midweek can slash costs dramatically, with one trip saving over £500 by choosing a Thursday instead of a Saturday.
Carr recommends booking flights from Tuesday to Thursday, which are typically cheaper and less crowded. This is especially beneficial for families with neurodivergent children who thrive in quieter environments. She acknowledges this may mean taking children out of school for a couple of days but believes the savings justify the decision.
Another key tip is to travel with hand luggage only, using packing cubes to maximise space. Carr notes that avoiding checked bags can save hundreds of pounds across multiple trips. She suggests using a child's check-in allowance, wearing bulky clothes, and opting for shampoo bars to comply with liquid restrictions.
To cut accommodation costs, Carr advises staying 10-20 minutes outside city centres or coastal areas. She cites a recent Paris trip where a suburban hotel with direct metro access cost half the price of a central option. For beach holidays, inland hotels are often cheaper and may offer free shuttles.
Carr also recommends loyalty programmes like Hotels.com's OneKey rewards, which recently earned her a free £150 hotel stay with breakfast. She suggests packing an overnight essentials cube for late arrivals, contacting hotels in advance for baby amenities, and ordering nappies and formula for airport pharmacy collection after security.
