Let’s be honest, here in the UK we don’t have the best luck with weather. The only thing that we are guaranteed is winter, where rain, wind and bitter chills reign supreme. It is no wonder that every year we save up (or max out our credit cards) for a relaxing, summer sun holiday and escape into a haven of blue skies, clear waters and scorching heat. The downside of our annual escapes is the cost; two weeks of indulgence can sometimes take us months to pay back. Here are a few tips about how to save cash whilst on holiday and hopefully avoid the dreaded credit card bills when you get home!

Car hire is becoming increasingly popular with people enjoying summer sun holidays, exploring their destination without having to rely on sometimes unreliable public transport is a definite attraction! However some car hire companies will add insurance onto the price of rental which is sometimes more than your paying for the car! The best way to beat this is to search the net for annual car insurance, available just for Europe or even worldwide. If you’re thinking of hiring a car for the entire holiday duration, it is definitely worth the money.

Tipping is often a confusing subject, when enjoying a meal in a restaurant or bar it is customary to tip in many countries. However it is always best to read up on the tipping customs of the destination before you arrive, recent studies have shown that by doing this you could save up to £135 a year. For example, in France the law requires that a service charge is included in the bill so it is not required to add any extra after you have paid. Italy uses a similar system as an automatic ‘coperto’ cover charge is added to every bill. In Spain it is customary to add a 5-10% service charge to your bill, Turkey is slightly less at 5%, those travelling to the US should expect to pay an extra 15-20% as tips in restaurants, in a bar expect to pay an extra $2 per drink per round.

Save on buying maps and destination guides before you travel by borrowing them from your local library or even downloading them from the internet, many travel websites include sections on travel tips and can prove invaluable for those wanting to save money whilst enjoying their relaxing sun holiday. Sun cream is definitely a holiday essential, especially for those travelling with young children. However instead of splashing out an expensive brand, a recent survey has revealed that both Sainsbury’s and Asda’s own brand sun lotion is just as effective.

These tips may not pay for your entire holiday but they will definitely make a dent in your overall bills! The best tip for anyone heading out on their annual sun holiday is to research your destination. By being clued up on local customs it is easier to manage your money and also research the cheaper bars and restaurants that other tourists won’t have heard of!