How to save money when going on holiday as a large group

Emma Morrell

Holidays are something we all look forward to and work hard for.  But with the rising cost of living most of us are looking for affordable holidays.  One of the best ways to reduce the cost of going on holiday is increasing your numbers.  Whether it's a group of friends, or extended family, you can save money when going on holiday as a large group, and we have the tips to show you how.

Prepare and plan ahead of time

Last-minute deals can be great, but actually booking a holiday early often gets you the best deal.  This also gives you time to save and plan your trip.  And whilst spontaneity is fun, it is often more costly than careful planning.  Booking early gives you lots of time to help you save for your holiday and any spending money you will need.  A holiday with lots of people often requires more organisation, so the more time you have the better.  Plus planning a holiday is pretty exciting.

Avoid the school holidays

The irony is that to afford a Summer holiday many people can't actually go in the Summer holidays!  If you are an adult group then avoiding the school holidays is practical and achievable, and will save you a lot of money.  If you are taking kids out of school to go away, make sure you factor the cost of the fines for doing so into your budget.

Many schools are trying to help parents by notifying them of inset days well in advance, and blocking inset days together so families can get away in term time without incurring fines.  It's always worth asking a school's governing body if they could consider this if they are not already doing so.

Book group accommodation

Accommodation is often the make or break of a holiday.  Staying somewhere that doesn't meet expectations is disappointing and can add to the costs, as you venture out more to avoid spending any time there.  Do your research and read reviews to ensure you are getting value for money.  

One of the biggest benefits of going away in a large group is sharing the accommodation and reducing the cost.  Renting a large property for the duration of your stay is often very cost effective when you can split the bill.  Hiraste has a range of accommodation options perfect for holidays with large groups, and personally vetted by us, to guarantee a place to stay that you won't want to leave.

Top Tip: Look for Properties with Great Reviews

Pay attention to reviews and ratings to ensure you’re getting a good deal. Properties with high ratings often offer better value and a more enjoyable stay.

Dine in together

When going on a self catering holiday, one of the biggest expenses compared to an all-inclusive is food.  Especially eating out.  Going away with friends or family can help you spend less than you would spend on food otherwise.  Whether you all put into a kitty and cook together, or whether you take it in turns to buy the food and prepare a meal for everyone, it's easy to organise laughter filled evenings dining with your group.

If you are staying in the UK you can organise your shopping to be delivered when you arrive and avoid loading up on things you don't need at the local supermarket.  Or go shopping in advance and take your own food with you.  There are plenty of ways to reduce the costs of your dining options.

Entertainment

Another area where we tend to spend more on holiday is days out and entertainment.  You can save money when in a large group by taking advantage of group passes to reduce your entrance fees to activities.  If you are travelling with kids the simple fact that there will be other kids within your group creates entertainment for them.  You don't have to spend a fortune on activities when they are quite happy to play together.  If you are trying to holiday on a budget look for free activities or places to go, such as parks and beaches.

Top Tip: Explore Local Experiences

Immerse yourself in local culture by exploring markets, street food, and free attractions. This not only saves the pounds but also provides a richer travel experience.

Free Childcare

The benefit of a group holiday is that there is always someone to take care of the kids for free!  You can take it in turns to provide child care and enable couples to have some time together, the dads to play a round of golf, or the mums to have some fun together.  The great thing about time away as a group is that everyone can have the time to do what they want with less need to compromise.

Split Costs Fairly

When travelling as a group, it’s important to split costs fairly to avoid any awkwardness or misunderstandings. Use apps like Splitwise or Tricount to keep track of shared expenses. These apps make it easy to record who paid for what and calculate how much each person owes.

Top Tip: Set a Budget

Agree on a budget before the trip to ensure everyone is on the same page. This can help avoid any surprises and keep spending under control.

Pay more to save more

Paying more to save more may not sound like a reliable money saving tip, but bear with...  You will pay more for accommodation that has a swimming pool, than you will for one that doesn't.  But consider that most of your time will probably be spent in or around that pool, and offset that cost against the cost of what you would be doing otherwise, it can save as much, if not more than you would spend doing other things.

Avoid Doubling Up

There are things we all buy when going on holiday.  Sun-cream, inflatables for the pool, giant bags of crisps!  You can avoid doubling up, save money, and have more room in your luggage if you're able to share these holiday essentials with your group and avoid taking away 10 bottles of sun-cream.

Conclusion

There are lots of ways to reduce the cost of your holiday when you have a tight budget.  Even more so when it is a group holiday.  From your accommodation, dining options, and entertainment, there are huge benefits to holidaying as a group.  You can have a memorable holiday with your friends and family that doesn't break the bank.