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Chelsea Dickenson is the cheap holiday expert, helping thousands of followers save money on their travels through her easy to use tips and hacks! A fountain of knowledge, Chelsea is a go-to during such uncertain times. COVID has changed the way we travel forever. During lockdown Chelsea’s page took off as she helped people to get money back from their cancelled holidays, as well as understand the ever-changing rules on travel. Her simple breakdowns of the COVID travel restrictions have landed her frequent appearances on Good Morning Britain, LBC and Talk Radio to name a few, making her a household name.

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I’m a budget travel expert. Here are my tricks for cheaper holidays in 2024

Chelsea dickenson, also known as the cheap holiday expert, suggests 11 ways to get more for your money.

The search for low-cost holidays stepped up a gear in 2023. Going all-inclusive, travelling in the shoulder season and house swapping were among the tactics many Britons used to control their budgets.

24 ways you can have better holidays in 2024, from local trends to saving money

This year is set to bring a similar focus on cheaper travel as living costs remain steep. On 1 January, the Energy Price Cap (which controls what most households pay for energy) increased by five per cent on average, rail fares will rise by 4.9 per cent in March and rents are predicted to climb.

Yet, despite the cost-of-living crisis, holidays remain a priority for many Britons. In the 12 months to August 2023, 84 per cent of people surveyed by the travel association Abta took a holiday at home or abroad. Almost two thirds expected to go on holiday overseas in the next 12 months.

And so, whether it’s cutting down on flight costs or making the most of varying school holiday dates across UK nations, here are my tips for watching what you spend – while still enjoying your travels – in 2024.

Be flexible

Whether it’s the dates of your trip, the time of day that you fly or your destination, being willing to tweak your holiday preferences can save you a lot of money. You may already know that Skyscanner lets you search for “everywhere” (to find the cheapest flights) rather than naming a destination, but did you realise that you don’t always have to specify your destination on accommodation booking websites either? Google Hotels and Airbnb both let you search for entire continents, for example. I then use the filters to whittle down the results to exactly what I’m after.

Plan for spontaneity

Great deals can disappear fast, so I like to think about which countries I want to visit, the types of holidays I’d like to try and, most importantly, how much money I have to spend. Also crucial is deciding who you will travel with and finding out how easy it is for them to book annual leave – then choosing dates that work for everyone. Companies such as Jack’s Flight Club and Secret Flying alert travellers to flight deals – and, if you already have your annual leave booked, you’ll be primed and ready to jump on them when they pop up.

Focus on daily costs

I love a cheap flight as much as the next person, but I think we often forget that it’s just a one-off price. Instead, when planning a holiday budget, it makes much more sense to focus on your day-to-day costs, including your accommodation, car hire and food, drink and activities. To get a feel for everyday prices, I use Numbeo , which is a cost-of-living index with data for more than 11,000 cities across the world. It has the average prices for things such as beer, coffee and public transport.

Refuse to pay a penny more with low-cost airlines

If you want to secure a flight for £9.99, you must stand strong. The first tactic is to pack light (and avoid extra luggage fees). Opt for items you can wear several times, write a list of your outfits and try packing bags that are designed for rolled-up clothes, so you can squeeze more in your suitcase.

If it is important for you to sit with your travel companion(s), then it’s usually best to check in as early as possible. Most airlines won’t split you up and you’ll avoid a seat selection fee.

Wizz Air and Ryanair are among the carriers that do split up travel parties, though, and so either accept you’ll be sat by a stranger or hold off checking in and keep refreshing the seat allocation page in the 24 hours before your flight. Of the airlines that split up parties, some appear to dole out their “worst” seats first in the hope that passengers will pay to change them or to sit by their travel partner. However, many people check in earlier and accept the seat they are given. This means that upfront and extra legroom seats can be the only ones remaining when the stragglers finally check in for their flight. I’ve secured extra leg room seats next to my boyfriend for no extra charge using this hack.

Although, bear in mind that, if you’re on an overbooked flight, you may run the small risk of missing out on a seat altogether. Of course, if this does happen, the airline still has a responsibility to get you to your destination.

Explore your backyard with the ‘UK’s interrail’

Many travellers will know of the interrail pass that allows you to roam Europe by train , but did you realise we have a version here in the UK ? It is called a “Ranger and Rover” and offers unlimited travel within a particular area across a certain time window. There are 96 options to choose from.

I’ve used the “Explore South Wales”, which gave me four days of off-peak travel in an eight-day period on trains and buses in the area for just £48.15, when I booked using my Two Together Railcard (it’s £73 without the railcard). Next, I’d like to try the “Scottish Grand Tour” pass, which allows you to hop on and off a circular route through some of Scotland ’s scenic landscapes.

Stay for free

Thanks to house sitting, I’ve stayed in a beautiful Parisian home and a swish house in Germany for free. The first place required me to care for “Biscotte” the cat, and the latter just needed me to bring in the post. I’ve used Nomador in the past, but there are alternative house sitting websites, including for UK-based properties. They typically come with an annual fee. However, if the home you are planning to stay in is overseas, check carefully that the country you’re visiting doesn’t class house sitting or pet sitting as work – otherwise you may need a work visa to complete your stay (and could face penalties if you house, or pet, sit without one).

Double up on your next city break

Want to travel more in 2024, but need to keep costs down? Instead of doing multiple city breaks across a year, think about how you could turn your trip into a multi-city break instead by using public transport to take you from place to place. You will reduce flight costs compared with splitting city visits into several trips, and you’ll get to feel better about your carbon footprint. The European cities that are easily combined with a rail journey include Vienna and Bratislava, Zagreb and Ljubljana and Madrid and Valencia.

Or, if you are going long haul and spot that your flight has a change, you can often extend your layover without paying a higher air fare. To do this, you need to head to a flight booking site and instead of “Return” select “Multi-city”. You then enter all the segments of your trip. So, if your flight from London to Singapore stopped in Istanbul and you wanted to spend two days there before reaching your final destination, you’d enter London to Istanbul as the first leg, Istanbul to Singapore as the second leg, and then finally Singapore to London as the third leg. Then, it’s up to you which dates you want to fly on.

I tested this out on a flight leaving London on 24 Feb. I stopped in Istanbul for two days before flying to Singapore and returning to London on 6 March. The total flight cost was £555, while a return with no extended layover was £557.

Ask for a free upgrade

My favourite thing to do when staying at a nice hotel is to get in touch beforehand and tell them why I’m so excited to stay. Then, as I’m wrapping up my email, I drop in the all-important line: “if you happen to have availability on the day, we’d love to be considered for an upgrade”.

The key thing is to be polite and once the message has been sent, forget about it. After all, the hotel doesn’t owe you something you haven’t paid for. However, I receive messages every single week from people who’ve had luck with this trick, so it’s definitely worth a try.

Make the most of school holiday quirks

Families living close to a border in England, Wales and Scotland should make the most out of the fact that school holiday dates can differ between UK nations. You could fly from a neighbouring nation when children there are back, or still in, school, but yours are on a school break. This hack works for flight-only bookings, but, as package holiday costs often hinge on the fluctuating prices of flights, you could see savings there too.

Go with a group

Holidaying as part of a bigger group means pooling together your budgets. This can help you to secure accommodation that you wouldn’t be able to afford when travelling solo, in a couple or as part of a small family.

I spend far too much of my time daydreaming about the dwellings listed on sites such as Unique Homestays. However, if I travelled with a big group of friends, my fantasies could become reality. Northcott Beach House in Cornwall, for example, costs from £235pp for a week when there’s 14 people staying.

My advice is to book ahead as the best group options get snapped up quickly.

Search for a Disney alternative

I understand why a trip to Disney is on many families’ bucket list, but it can be expensive. Instead, why not try out another theme park that offers a similar experience, sometimes at half the price. The second most popular theme park in Europe, after Disney, is Europa-Park in Germany with its nearby campsite offering cost-effective options even in the school holidays. Or head to Poland to try its biggest theme park, Energylandia, where standard adult tickets cost just £39 in the high season.

Chelsea Dickenson offers further travel advice at cheapholidayexpert.com

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Get creative and take risks: Tips for a cheap holiday this summer from a viral budget travel expert

From a £250 flight to japan to doing benidorm in business class, the ‘cheap holiday expert’ chelsea dickenson talks to natalie wilson about the hacks that can save you money on your next trip, article bookmarked.

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D espite the  cost of living crisis , holidaymakers are still planning on jet-setting to popular holiday destinations this year. But, as we saw last summer,  travel disruption  could play havoc with the approaching school holidays – and it’s not unthinkable that travel plans could go awry.

That’s where Chelsea Dickenson, founder of  CheapHolidayExpert.com , comes in. The budget travel expert has gained a following online by helping people to get as prepared as possible for booking trips, flying and – the worst case scenario – figuring out next steps when holidays go horribly wrong.

The 33-year-old, based in North London , has become an expert in maximising your money with minimalist packing techniques and tried and tested travel hacks . At the heart of everything she does is finding realistic ways to travel for less without sacrificing the quality of your holiday.

“We truly do see holidays as being this additional human right,” says Chelsea, “But the bones of really affordable travel are taking risks, being flexible and also accommodating people who are just doing their jobs.”

From free hotel upgrades to luxury housesits and bargain flights, Chelsea shares her story – plus budget travel secrets and how to escape hidden baggage costs – with  The Independent.

Read more on budget travel :

• Holiday destinations where your money will go further with the current exchange rate
• Cheap UK holidays 2023: 10 destinations for a budget staycation
• Best cheap hotels in London: Where to stay for style on a budget

How it started

While studying at Manchester University, Chelsea landed a role in student radio and went on to become a production coordinator for documentaries and TV shows, booking hotels, trains and flights for crew members. “I got such a buzz from it, it reminded me of getting the Eurocamp catalogues growing up and seeing the insane price differences between August and September holidays,” she says.

In December 2016, she decided to start her own YouTube channel. She saw a study claiming that the average British person spends £3,418 a year on holidays, which triggered the inspiration for her first video series: “I started thinking if I was to half that amount of money, what could I do with it, how many holidays could I go on? And that’s exactly what I did.”

Chelsea had five rules for the £1,709 challenge: she could only travel using 28 annual leave days, two of the trips had to be longer than five days, she had to travel to at least three continents, go on at least 10 holidays and fly business class at least once (a rule she followed on a flight to Benidorm).

At the end of the series she had travelled to 10 holiday destinations, including Valencia in Spain and Gdansk in Poland – a budget favourite of Chelsea’s – plus Dubai , spending an average of £170 on each. After a press release was picked up by the media, her 1,000 subscribers grew significantly.

“That’s when I realised that there is this appetite for travelling cheaply, obviously, but also for somebody actually trying out the hacks,” she says. “There’s a real difference between reading about it, and then actually doing it.”

In the year that followed she tried house-sitting, house-swapping, and making the most of every hack she heard about. With arrival of the pandemic, her travel project only got more serious.

Although the launch of her website  CheapHolidayExpert.com  was postponed from April 2020 to August that year, as a lot of experts pivoted away from travel content, Chelsea “really went all in, initially on consumer advice – it was about helping people get their money back.”

When Portugal opened its borders to tourists in May 2021, Chelsea flew out on the first day possible to test every step of post-pandemic travel for her followers: “It was all about explaining the traffic-light system. My followers came on social media because people just wanted to know what was going on. I was putting in layman’s terms what you actually had to do.”

How to get the best deals

Unsurprisingly, there’s no magic wand when it comes to securing the best holiday deals, and it’s the classic move of travelling during shoulder season that Chelsea most often recommends to bargain hunters: “Off-peak, you’re going to get so much more for your money, simply because prices are due to demand and not because of an increase in quality.”

Of course, switching to self-catering can also help reduce prices, and Chelsea is keen to encourage people away from the allure of package holidays to “trips that actually explore the local area”.

“I think you can make most places affordable. Even London in this climate,” Chelsea says; but you don’t always have the luxury of location choice when trying to secure the cheapest prices.

As for the best deals Chelsea has ever found, a £250 return flight to Japan via Moscow with Aeroflot – which she describes as “an experience” – and taking a risk on a week house-sitting an architectural award-winning home in Germany both paid off.

Ever dreamed of arriving to champagne at reception and the surprise of a free hotel upgrade – no fake proposal necessary? Chelsea has a hack for that, and it couldn’t be more simple: just ask. She suggests travellers get proactive about a stay in their fantasy room by copying the hotel upgrade email template on her website.

“If you’re staying in a hotel which has customer service at the centre of what they do and they have the availability, they will try to make it a memorable stay for people,” she says, adding that, while nobody owes you anything, it will be a “lovely surprise” if it does happen.

The bones of really affordable travel are taking risks, being flexible and also accommodating people who are just doing their jobs

The popular template sees high success rates, according to Chelsea. “I get an email or message from someone at least once every other day saying that my hotel upgrade email has worked for them; I screenshot all of them because they make me so happy.”

Avid Airbnb users on a budget should also take note: your host may be open to some last-minute haggling.

Chelsea explains that the platform was built around the idea that you could send offers to hosts, so “you can ask for last-minute offers within your price range on the basis that it’s a win-win for two people because you are actually doing them a favour by providing an income.”

As with asking for most travel deals, the worst thing that can happen is that they say no.

Hacking packing

From stuffing her neck pillow and bra to the classic collection of a duty-free bag post-security, Chelsea’s tried, tested and usually ridiculous packing hacks ensure travellers won’t have to splash the cash on checked luggage.

Take wearing a £10 fishing vest to the airport for example, inspired by a travel vest that retailed for £80, negating the whole point of cutting costs. With 26 pockets, including a “gamechanger” back zip large enough to store a laptop, this seriously storage heavy fashion statement has helped Chelsea breeze through security.

The viral  TikTok  hacks are undoubtedly “silly” and risky, but they haven’t failed Chelsea yet. And the soaring price of checked luggage when flying on low-cost airlines has made the videos ever-more popular on social media.

“Packing hacks have been around for so long – the stuffing my bra hack was inspired by my boyfriend’s family friend who packed too much about 15 years ago, but the standard has completely changed,” she says. “There are no longer set values for checked baggage and people are forced to get creative.”

Chelsea is a fan of taking the minimalist approach to her compactly rolled travel wardrobe, often using hand-squeezed vacuum packs where you can force the air out. She’s keen to crack down on overpackers: “You always overestimate what you’re going to wear, so plan some hero pieces you can mix and match and a jacket that goes with everything.”

For hand luggage, her top tip is to “be a bit cheeky by a few centimetres with bags for hand luggage and take the risk – just make sure if you’re packing them full of clothes you could take them out and put them on to make it fit.”

What to do when things go wrong

Often inundated with messages from distressed travellers navigating flight delays and cancellations, Chelsea recommends knowing your travel rights and finding a person to speak to to take back control when things go wrong.

“It’s powerful to be able to go up to an individual and say, ‘this is what I want from the situation’, as you may not be presented with all the options,” Chelsea explains.

“Last year, when people were getting their cancellations through, airlines did not mention that you could fly on another airline or even travel on a different transport mode.” Yes, that means an airline would technically be obliged to book you an available Eurostar seat in the event of a cancelled Paris flight, if they had no alternative same-day flights available.

Chelsea is regularly frustrated at airlines that simply refund cancelled flights – the nail in the coffin for most people’s summer holidays – and insists people remember that the rules are there to protect them, not to catch them out.

“Bad travel experiences happen to everyone from every budget,” she says. “It’s easy to tarnish something from just one bad experience, but to expect a perfect trip every time is just completely unrealistic. There’s also a lot of fun that can come out of something you perhaps weren’t planning.”

Chelsea’s top five cheap travel hacks

• The triangle of cheap travel: check transport (including car hire), accommodation and daily costs are all affordable before booking a trip to a destination.
• Daily costs are more important: don’t prioritise cheap flights that are a one-off cost; instead make sure that your money is going to go further with great-value accommodation and low in-destination prices for food, drink and attractions.
• Just ask: speaking kindly to a real human can open up available offers and hotel upgrades.
• Pack light: say goodbye to decision fatigue and checked baggage costs by only bringing the basics.
• Stay until Monday : for the best-priced weekend break, travel from Saturday to Monday. Sunday night stays are always cheaper and Monday return flights see less demand.

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Cheap holidays: how to travel for less in 2023

To travel well on a budget can mean hours spent digging for deals, scanning for discount codes and researching bland round-up lists of affordable package holidays. It’s time most of us don’t have and requires patience few of us can muster.

It was a relief then to discover Chelsea Dickenson @cheapholidayexpert on TikTok, where she entertains and informs her 40K followers with hacks, tips and tricks on everything from how to find the cheapest night in a hotel to how to get a free flight upgrade. Far from a chore, for her, sniffing out a bargain is the ultimate buzz. “There is no better feeling,” she says.

It all started in 2017, when Chelsea came across a study which said the average Brit spends £3,400 per year on holidays. She decided to set herself a challenge: she would go on 10 holidays for half the cost. She set herself rules to make it more challenging. She had to visit at least three continents, two trips had to be long holidays, and she must fly business class once. “It was really good because you often see and hear about travel hacks but how often do you actually make yourself do them? It kick-started this whole thing.”

So how did she do it and can you use some of her tips to travel for less in 2023? Read on for Chelsea’s top cheap holiday hacks…

Forget about cheap flights

“Work backwards and think about your flight last,” she says. “It can often be worth paying an extra £30 for your flight if everything else is cheaper. People get really obsessed with finding cheap flights but they’re a one-off cost, and actually your accommodation and your food and drink costs are way more important.”

Forget where you want to go and first think about what kind of holiday you want, says Chelsea. Do you want to stay in a villa, do you want a city break, a foodie getaway or some sun, sea and sand? Then work backwards.

She uses Airbnb and Booking.com to search entire continents for the cheapest four- or five-star hotels. “It’s really surprising what comes up and it gives you a really quick snapshot at the type of places that are available and the bargains available. The true bargains come when you’re flexible and can change your destination and your dates.”

Cheapest destinations in Europe

Time to think outside the box. “Simply, you’ll get more for your money because less people are going there,” Chelsea says. She rates Romania and Bulgaria as great-value destinations. For a European city break, you can’t beat Poland: “They have such amazing architecture, culture and history, amazing people, great food and drink; it’s not far away, there are so many flights from so many UK airports and they are often very cheap.”

She spent a week in Krakow this August staying in a suite in a four-star hotel for £108 per night — the whole trip for two people cost less than £500. Forget Croatia and the Greek islands, the coast of Albania is where it’s at for bargains and is “absolutely stunning”.

First class on a budget

“I always encourage people to travel by train — it taps into a sense of adventure that you don’t get when you fly,” she says. Use Seatfrog to bid on first class upgrades on trains. “You can bid up to 20 minutes before your train and can get upgrades for £10.”

How to find cheap food when you’re away

Download the toogoodtogo.co.uk app. “It’s in 22 destinations and it’s where cafes and restaurants sell the food at the end of the day that they otherwise would have had to throw in the bin. You’ll find brilliant local places that you’ll often find on top food lists. A bundle of food that might, say, be worth £12, you’ll pay £3 for.”

The secret rail pass that could save you a fortune

“No one knows about this app and it blows my mind,” says Chelsea. “There is a rail pass called Rovers & Rangers, and it’s like Interrail but for the UK. There are 100 different versions of the Rovers & Rangers pass. I did the Explore South Wales Pass recently for £45.55. We used it like a hop on, hop off service for a week. It allows for spontaneity and would be brilliant with kids. There is also no price inflation ever, it will always be that one price, so really good for summer holidays.”

Try housesitting and home-swapping

These are great options for people who can only travel in peak times, such as the school holidays, says Chelsea. For home-swapping she recommends lovehomeswap.com and holidayswap.com. “There are membership fees but they do a free trial so try and get a swap locked in during your free trial so you know it’s worth it for you.”

She loves housesitting too. “The best one I ever did was a week in Germany using a site called nomador.com. The house was stunning. It had a library, a wine cellar, hot tub, swimming pool, it was outrageous. They didn’t even have a pet, I just took in their post for a week.” Trustedhousesitters.com is the biggest and most popular site.

When should I book my flight?

You need the Hopper app. “Put in the dates you’re after and it will calculate whether it’s a good time for you to book or if you should wait a bit,” she says. “It can also track the price and send alerts to your inbox. Kayak has a similar functionality on its desktop. There have been hundreds of studies about when the best day to book is and when the best day to fly is, but it’s not that easy. It’s all based on demand. Statistically, a Tuesday might be the best day to fly out on, but maybe not the Tuesday you’re looking to fly on.”

Paying while you’re there

Always have a pre-paid travel card or a card that gives you 0% on non-sterling transaction or withdrawal fees when spending abroad. Chelsea recommends Revolut, Wise, Monzo, Starling and Chase. “It can save you anything from pennies to hundreds of pounds. It all adds up.”

All aboard the sleeper train

Think about it. It saves a night’s accommodation in a hotel. “New routes keep getting announced and there are more for 2023 and 2024,” says Chelsea. “I did the night train from Vienna to Paris where beds start at €49. It’s unreal value.”

Don’t ever pay for luggage

Always go for a fabric backpack, buy rollable vacuum bags (“You can get a pack for five for £10”) and decant your liquids into smaller pots. “I have a full skincare routine and all my makeup in one tiny liquids bag because everything is decanted into tiny pots. If I’m off to a holiday let, I fill my cosmetic pots full of salt, pepper, sugar and take a little shampoo bottle of olive oil. They’re the worst things to buy when you’re abroad because you buy the whole thing, use the smallest amount and leave it all behind.”

More TikTok creators to follow

@sarahtoyin 

Sarah is known for her expertly-researched guides, vlogs and day-by-day itineraries.

She also talks openly and honestly about her experiences travelling as a solo black woman.

@travellingtuesdays 

A solo female traveller who produces beautiful content from everywhere from Jordan to Venice, as well as tips on safety and how to make friends when you’re flying solo.

@lifeofjazz__ 

Really useful destination guides, itineraries and round-ups. @lifeofjazz__ always has her eye out for a mega-deal.

@polkadotpassport 

A Kiwi in London who travels the world one meal at a time. She’ll tell you which Belgian waffles are best — Brussels or Liège — and spills on the best hidden restaurants in LA.

Don’t do it yourself, do it with TikTok. To learn more visit https://www.tiktok.com/tag/travel

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Cheap Holiday Expert

Chelsea is the answer to how we can all save money by looking for the right deals and hacks!

A fountain of knowledge in and around the travel industry – Chelsea’s tips and tricks keep her super engaged audience fully up to date. She injects wit into everything she does – with comedy takes on political information and tongue in cheek reels.

COVID has changed the way we travel forever and The Cheap Holiday Expert is here to guide you through the best deals and new travel horizon.

Like what you've seen so far? let's get talking!

'I'm a travel expert - you can get free hotel upgrades by sending a simple email'

Cheap holiday expert Chelsea Dickenson has worked with TravelSupermarket to share some tips that will hopefully save families money as they head away this summer

• 14:34, 23 May 2023

A cheap holiday expert has shared her top tips for squeezing the most out of your break without forking out too much.

Ahead of May half term, Chelsea Dickenson has provided her favourite tried and tested hacks for keen travellers in her role as holiday expert for TravelSupermarket .

With the high cost-of-living remaining in a lot of people's minds, but the desire to get away from life at home for a little while also there for many, working out how to keep track of the pounds is important.

Chelsea has shared some of her carefully selected top tips guaranteed to save holidaymakers’ time, money and space when they jet off on their summer adventures.

Ask for a free hotel upgrade

Most people dream of a hotel upgrade, but hardly anyone asks for one. Chelsea has urged members of the the public to be more proactive this summer when checking themselves in.

"A simple email asking to be considered for an upgrade can go a long way – keep your email as honest and authentic as possible – hotel staff will get these sorts of requests all the time and will often see through fake engagements," she said.

"Think the key is to be polite, complimentary, and not in any way demanding.”

Packing hacks

As with almost everything in recent years, the cost of getting your bags on a plane is more expensive now. Luckily, there are ample ways to save on packing storage space.

Chelsea advises: "Holidaymakers can maximise every inch of storage space available to them using hacks like de-stuffing and refilling neck pillows, wearing multi-pocket fishing vests and even stuffing bras to get the most out of their packing space."

Another top hack is purchasing something at duty-free, making use of the rest of the space in the duty-free bag to hide any packing overspill.

Exercising these tips ensures holidaymakers won’t have to splash the cash on last-minute check-in luggage.

Click and collect

A great a trick for parents with young children or travellers who struggle with airport liquid limits, Chelsea advises using the ‘click and collect’ facility at Boots outlets situated beyond airport security.

This will allow parents to carry on sufficient amounts of baby formula or allow travellers to stock up on sunscreen and other items that might require more than 100ml.

Not only does this save you time and hassle, the bigger items are generally cheaper-per-millilitre than the small travel bottles.

Airport lounges

For those who love to get to the airport nice and early and get into the holiday spirit straight away, Chelsea recommends airport lounges as a great value for money option.

Often priced between £30 to £40 per person, many lounges give visitors three hours to sit, relax and enjoy the complimentary food and drinks on offer. What’s more, lounges provide a quiet escape away from the chaos of departure terminals, ensuring a seamless start to every holiday.

This might not help you keep costs down, but it's a good way to keep relaxed and increase your chances of enjoying your holiday.

Check if the hotel has Club Rooms

Not every hotel will have these rooms, but Chelsea argues that a Club Room is a great way to make your stay feel more luxury without having to fork out too much.

"I recall a holiday where for an extra £26 per night, buffets were replaced by three course meals, as well as free food and drink at the hotel for 12 hours a day," she said.

House sitting and house swapping

If you are looking to explore beyond hotels and keep your costs down, Chelsea recommends exploring home sitting and house swapping websites that allow holidaymakers the chance to experience cities in their own space.

Aside from a small registration fee, this will cost travellers nothing.

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Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $560 for one-way flights and $977 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

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Cheap flights to Elektrostal ( VKO)

Get started finding a cheap flight to Elektrostal on Expedia by either choosing a deal on this page or entering into the search bar your travel dates, origin airport, and whether you want roundtrip or one-way airfare. You can filter for flexibility, number of stops, airline, and departure/arrival times to find the best flight for you.

We recommend using the ‘Flexible Dates’ calendar at the top of the page to see the price of plane tickets on the surrounding dates. This allows you to pick the cheapest days to fly if your trip allows flexibility and score cheap flight deals to Elektrostal.

Roundtrip prices range from $977 - $1,397, and one-ways to Elektrostal start as low as $560.

Be aware that choosing a non-stop flight can sometimes be more expensive while saving you time. And routes with connections may be available at a cheaper rate.

Airlines that fly to Elektrostal ( VKO)

You have several options for which airline you choose to travel with to Elektrostal. There are 10 airlines flying into VKO: Qatar Airways, Uzbekistan Airways, Sichuan Airlines, Egyptair. 

Cheap plane tickets may be available from different airlines at different times and with unique terms. It’s best to understand the details of each airline’s offer before judging its value.

For example, if you plan to check a bag or bring a carry-on, check whether the cheap airfare deal includes a baggage allowance. If not, verify whether the baggage fee is higher than the difference of other airline plane ticket deals offering free checked/carry-on baggage in exchange for a slightly higher airfare. 

Additionally, your preferred frequent flyer membership programs may influence your choice of cheap airline. Expedia allows you to enter your membership numbers during checkout to earn points from your airline and Expedia Rewards—all while getting a great deal and planning all your travel in one online platform.

Find the best deals

At Expedia, we source many flight deals from multiple providers, so you can easily find the best deals that are right for you. A great strategy for getting the best deals can be to make sure you book and travel at the optimal times. Airfare to Elektrostal (VKO) varies throughout the year based on seasonal demand. You’ll see the lowest rates for roundtrips to VKO in September and in August for one-ways.

Cancellation & flexibility

To change or cancel eligible flights, go to ‘My Trips’ and navigate to your itinerary. If you booked within the last 24-hours, you might be able to cancel your flight for free. Learn more about flight changes or cancellations from our customer service portal . Some plane tickets are available with no change fees, which you can filter for during your search.

Frequently asked questions

• The trick to having an amazing flight experience is to pack ahead. So, let’s start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and daily medications. Next, bring items that’ll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a good book. It’s also smart to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, be sure to toss in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean T-shirt.
• While the list of banned items can differ between airlines, the general rule to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, pocket knives, spray paint and flares. Sporting equipment like hockey sticks, and objects that could harm passengers, such as pepper spray and firearms, aren’t allowed in the cabin either.
• The answer to a comfortable flight can be as simple as your choice of clothing. Prepare for changes in temperature by bringing layers. This will keep you nice and warm if the cabin starts to cool down. Shoes like stilettos, flip flops and lace-up boots are best left in your suitcase. Even though they may be your favorites, go for flat, closed-toed footwear like slip-ons. Your feet will thank you for it.
• A condition by the name of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation. Walking up and down the aisle and doing leg and foot exercises in your seat is a great way to prevent this from happening. Wearing a good pair of compression tights or socks can also help.
• Your travel documents and ID will need to be presented to security personnel. Have them close by to avoid fumbling around for them.
• Your coat, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your earphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few minutes, you’ll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• There’s a possibility that you’ll be required to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Airlines won’t allow any sharp objects in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.

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APELSIN HOTEL - Reviews (Elektrostal, Russia)

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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