After spending thousands on your dream wedding, the last thing you probably want is to splurge on a honeymoon. Going on a romantic break with your spouse does not have to be expensive. There are many ways to save money while spending quality time with the love of your life. From choosing the right location to booking a budget flight and deciding the right time to travel, here's a guide to planning an unforgettable honeymoon that won't break the bank.
Location
Your honeymoon destination can be an essential factor in budgeting your honeymoon. The more popular and well-known destinations are understandably more expensive to fly to and stay in. For instance, the Maldives is a popular honeymoon destination, and that's what also makes it more expensive. But that does not mean you cannot have a similar experience in other lesser-known and cheaper destinations. If you want to spend your honeymoon swimming in some of the world's most beautiful beaches but don't have the budget for the Maldives, there are several cheaper alternatives.
In Europe, you will find gorgeous destinations with beaches to relax in and soak up the warm weather. One of these is the coastal city of Albufeira in Portugal. Nestled along the southern coast of the Algarve region, it boasts several miles of beautiful sandy beaches and outstanding resorts that are fit for honeymooners.
Another cheaper alternative to the Maldives is its neighbouring country of Sri Lanka. It may not be famous for its beaches, but it has charming resort towns home to beachfront resorts with amenities suitable for a relaxing honeymoon. Some of the best places in Sri Lanka with beautiful beaches are Mirissa, Unawatuna, and Negombo. The best part is that you can include fun adventures on your honeymoon, from hiking at tea plantations to a safari adventure.
Budget Flights
The flight costs can take a big chunk of your overall honeymoon budget. Of course, it will depend on the destination. However, regardless of where you're going, there are some great ways to search for budget flights, which will help make your trip even cheaper. One of these is to use the best search engine to look for the lowest fares. These tools also allow you to compare prices on specific dates. If you are flexible, you can always fly on those dates with the cheapest fares.
Search engines can also help you to look for the cheapest destinations to fly to for your honeymoon. If you and your partner are adventurous, you can fly to lesser-known destinations with the cheapest airfare. Another way to save money on flight tickets is to book your trip as early as possible. Try to plan your honeymoon earlier. Flight prices rarely go down as time nears, except if you take a gamble and hope for an offer very close to your flight date.
It's good to book your ticket from the airline's website directly but don't ignore online travel agents. If you search hard enough, you can bag the cheapest fares when booking through these agents. But be sure to transact only with legitimate agents with verified customer reviews.
Staycations
You don't need to travel far to enjoy a honeymoon. If you do not have the budget to fly to faraway destinations, consider a staycation honeymoon. A staycation is doing what honeymooners will do on a honeymoon but without leaving their area. It's the perfect opportunity to spend a romantic getaway like a tourist in your hometown.
Staycations can mean booking a luxury hotel in your area and spending a night or two while enjoying all the hotel amenities, from relaxing spas to fancy dinners. If you are lucky to live in a place with many tourist attractions, you'll surely enjoy a staycation honeymoon.
While some couples might frown upon the idea of a staycation honeymoon, it does have many benefits. In fact, it's more relaxing than travelling far, especially in this day and age when travelling can be a nightmare, from long airport queues to flight delays and cancellations!
Quirky Accommodation
For adventurous couples who want to try something new on their honeymoon, consider glamping, which requires staying in quirky and affordable accommodations, such as a beachside cabin or a treehouse in some secluded locations. Indeed, glamping is a great way to enjoy a honeymoon on a budget. It's not as expensive as a five-star hotel, but you can still enjoy luxurious amenities while enjoying a more intimate experience.
Glamping is also an ideal option for couples who love to be in nature while exploring the great outdoors. It sets the tone for your new life together while enjoying a relaxing break after the busy wedding celebrations.
With more and more people spending time outdoors, you'll find numerous glamping accommodation options in the UK for your honeymoon. Some of the most popular options are fully furnished safari tents and camping cabins. You will also find unique options, such as see-through glamping domes, a yurt, a treehouse, and converted vehicles. Some upscale sites offer luxurious amenities like a private pool, Jacuzzi, and personal butlers.
Pick the Right Time to Travel
For couples with flexible schedules, one way to save money on your honeymoon is to travel when flights are the cheapest. Holiday prices would vary throughout the year, depending on the destination and the time of the year.
As expected, you can bag the best deals outside of peak times. It can mean avoiding school breaks or going somewhere colder during winter. Prices are slashed during off-peak season, allowing you to enjoy savings on flights, accommodations, and activities.
Travelling outside school holidays is a sure-fire way to spend less on your honeymoon. If you want a honeymoon in summer, you can enjoy the best savings in May, June, or September, considered "shoulder months." You can still enjoy great weather at this time but without the crowds.
On the other hand, if you want a winter holiday for your honeymoon, consider travelling around November until early December. But note that winter sun destinations are busier this time of the year, so you can consider going to colder places if you want to save.