A clever holiday hack could help travellers cut costs when visiting pricey locations. MoneySavingExpert (MSE), founded by journalist and broadcaster Martin Lewis, regularly provides budget-friendly advice for consumers. A previous blog entry from the MSE team revealed that some tourists could reduce expenses by reserving accommodation they have no intention of using.

The experts shared that package holidays sometimes offer better deals than scheduled flights. Therefore, holidaymakers could economise by booking their flight as part of a package deal, then booking their preferred accommodation.

MSE explained: “Scheduled flights to some destinations, such as Orlando and Sri Lanka, can be silly money, yet packages there can sometimes come in much cheaper. If you only need the flight, check if there’s a cheaper package holiday, then grab it but DON’T stay in the hotel.”

The guidance added that Martin has previously had success with the trick, helping a friend book a holiday to Sri Lanka. MSE said the passenger paid £300 for the holiday to cover their flights, when the cheapest scheduled deal was over £1,000.”

In a blog post dedicated to cheap package holidays, MSE reiterated the advice. The experts said: “If you’re going away specifically for seven, 10 or 14 days to a traditional holiday destination, package holidays are often best. They can sometimes be much cheaper than booking a scheduled flight… even if you DON’T want to use the hotel.

“For example, we found flights for a seven-day trip to Florida for £689 per person – a package holiday for the same dates was just £662 per person. It won’t always work, but it’s worth a try.”

When comparing airfare costs, travellers might want to check platforms like Skyscanner. Searching on different days of the week could help customers secure the most competitive rates, reports the Mirror.

Skyscanner says: “Flight pricing changes constantly based on demand, season and route. There’s no fixed ‘cheapest day’ to book but with the right tools, you can stay informed.

“Historically, Skyscanner pricing trends have shown that some airlines release deals late on Mondays, which may lead to lower fares early in the week. Prices tend to rise again as the week progresses and demand increases.”

It could also help to book travel close to the departure date. Skyscanner explains: “On quieter routes or off-peak travel days, prices may drop as the departure date approaches. But on popular routes or peak dates, fares often increase as the flight fills up.

“You may have more luck finding a last-minute fare if you’re flexible on your travel dates and times, you avoid peak days like Fridays and Sundays, and you monitor fares regularly with a Price Alert.”