Cheap family holidays: how a mum planned more than 50 budget trips

Jen Carr, who runs The Travel Mum and is a former NHS doctor, says she has booked more than 50 budget family holidays and recommends DIY bookings and flight flexibility to keep costs down.

Jen Carr, a former NHS doctor and founder of The Travel Mum, has organised more than 50 budget family holidays and is sharing practical ways to cut costs. Her advice is aimed at families who want to travel without high-priced packages. Carr highlights flexibility, comparison sites and careful packing as recurring themes from her trips. She also mentions using reward points and affordable UK options as part of her approach. Practical tips: - Opt for DIY bookings and flexible flight options to find lower fares, the article reports. - Use comparison sites such as Skyscanner and hotel platforms like Hotels.com to compare prices, Carr says. - Pack light and use under-seat rucksacks for each family member to avoid added luggage fees, and use the airline allowance to check a car seat when possible. - Self-cater for some meals (for example breakfast and dinner) to reduce dining costs, while choosing cheaper lunchtime options for eating out. - Budget-friendly UK holiday parks and free local activities such as beaches, museums, playgrounds and markets. - Make use of reward schemes and last-minute deals; the article notes examples like Avios points and Hotels.com OneKeyCash, and mentions TUI’s last-minute offers. Summary: Carr’s suggestions focus on practical ways families can lower the cost of holidays through planning choices and use of available deals and schemes. Undetermined at this time.