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The A-List travel habit that has saved me hundreds on family holidays over the years
Three other creative ways to save money while on holiday
ONE of my favourite things about opening the door to a holiday home is seeing crisp white bedlinen, waiting to welcome me for a good night's sleep.
But if I'm looking for ways to save cash on holiday, I've also been known to bring my bedding - a hack that's saved me hundreds over the years.
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It's often celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears who are papped with their luxury pillows clutched tightly underneath their arms as they are travelling.
Living out my celeb-inspired holiday, I've also been known to travel with my own bedding.
I've done this loads of times at caravan parks booked through a third party like the Sun Holidays and most recently when I stayed at a chalet on the Norfolk coast last year.
It's quite common on the continent to pay a separate charge for bed linen.
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We've had to do that on several occasions because we've been flying and the cost of bringing an extra suitcase full of sheets and covers with us would've been prohibitive.
Paying for a bedding bundle can add up to £50 to your booking, depending on where you're staying, so it's worth avoiding the charge where possible.
Last Easter, we stayed in a premium cottage at Center Parcs Zandvoort-aan-Zee in the Netherlands.
Our bedding was included in our booking, but if we'd stayed in other accommodation, it would have cost €12 (£10.25) per bed.
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Here in the UK, adding bedlinen to your budget break can also push up the costs.
At the chalet we stayed at near Great Yarmouth last year, it would have been £60 if I'd hired their linen rather than taking my own, which was a third of what we were paying for our weekend away.
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I've even seen prices of up to £25 per bed, which adds a massive amount to a break for a family of five.
It's the budget accommodation equivalent of all the added extras you have to factor in when you take a cheap flight with the likes of Ryanair.
Paying for a bedding bundle can add up to £50 to your booking, depending on where you're staying, so it's worth avoiding the charge where possible
Catherine Lofthouse
I won't pretend that it isn't a hassle packing up enough sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers for your time away, and it's also not exactly my favourite job to have to start making beds the moment I arrive on holiday.
Then there's also the need to strip the beds and cart all the dirty linen back home at the end of your stay, which only adds to your washing pile once you're home.
But if you're trying to find ways to shave a bit off the price of accommodation, bringing your bedlinen could be the answer you're looking for.
CUT COSTS
If you book directly with holiday parks like Haven, you'll normally find that made-up beds are part and parcel of the overall cost.
But if you take advantage of cheap deals through third parties, you can choose which extras, like entertainment passes and bedlinen, you want to add to your break.
If you're trying to find ways to shave a bit off the price of accommodation, bringing your bedlinen could be the answer you're looking for
Catherine Lofthouse
Some people just prefer to take duvets and pillows, especially if they need something bespoke like a weighted blanket to get a good night's rest.
There have been plenty of occasions when I've rocked up to a caravan with a suitcase full of bedsheets and then found I haven't needed it, as the beds were already made, despite not paying for that service.
That's a great start to the holiday, but I'd never take it for granted.
I often have to bring more than we need, in case the master bed is a king-size rather than a double or we have more pillows than we were expecting.
Not only is it a win for your wallet, but it’s also better for the planet too - as you know what sheets and towels your family have used and don't need to wash any that are still clean
Catherine Lofthouse
It probably helps that I used to work as a chambermaid at Travelodge in my teens, so changing beds is no big deal to me.
I'd rather save a bit of cash to spend on a day out or some tasty treats while we're away.
TOWELS TOO?
There are loads of holidays where everyone takes towels without batting an eyelid, from youth hostels to resorts run by the likes of Parkdean.
If you're already taking towels, the next logical step is to bring a bedding bundle with you as well.
Not only is it a win for your wallet, but it’s also better for the planet too - as you know what sheets and towels your family have used and don't need to wash any that are still clean.
I'd rather save a bit of cash to spend on a day out or some tasty treats while we're away
Catherine Lofthouse
Whereas cleaners should strip everything from the accommodation, whether it's dirty or not, to get it ready for the next guests.
So why not get on board with bringing your bedding and see if it could keep costs down for your summer break this year?
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I've also revealed the five easy ways I get a free family holiday when cash is tight – and anyone can do it.
Here, I explain how I take my whole family away in October half term every year for just £100.
Three Other Ways To Save Cash On Holiday
Travel Writer Catherine Lofthouse has already shared several ways she cuts the cost of her holidays.
- The Too Good to Go app - I use the app to bag the best food deals at restaurants and supermarkets when I'm travelling with my family. I've used the app to bag bargain meals in Italy, France and even Center Parcs.
- Ryanair Roulette - I also play Ryanair Roulette" to save money on flights with the budget airline. I scope out the flights I want to book and then monitor them for fluctuations. Earlier this year, I saved £30 by waiting to book my flights to Fuerteventura.
- I also use cashback sites and loyalty schemes to make my holiday budget spread further.
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