As the winter months wear on, lots of us are thinking about that next getaway – whether it be to the beach, the snow or somewhere else entirely.

If you’re looking to book your next holiday, but also want to keep a lid on costs, consider these tips.

Compare widely on flights, accommodation and insurance

When it comes to cheaper travel, shopping around is often your friend. It may be worth plugging your dates into a comparison site to see how airlines stack-up on price for your dates. Meanwhile, looking at multiple booking sites – including going to hotels and hostels directly – can help to hunt down the lowest price on offer.

Escape mid-week or off-season

Fares and accommodation options often follow patterns of demand, which means bumping up their prices on the weekends, when more people are travelling. If you can, think about going away on non-peak days, such as Monday to Thursday or in the down season for your destination.

Book ahead

While you may have the travel itch now, you may also save more if you book further into the future. It also gives you the chance to build up your spending money in the meantime.

Sign up for alerts

Airlines sometimes publish sale fares, which they’ll notify customers about via email or even push notifications. Consider signing up to a few alerts in the lead up to your holiday, so that you’re made aware of the deals on offer.

Pack carry-on

Packing light may mean more washing on the road, but it could also be one of the keys to keeping your ticket costs down. Think about taking the 7kg challenge to travel on the cheaper fare and avoid paying extra luggage costs on budget airlines.

Be flexible

Often, flexibility pays when it comes to finding a bargain. For example, if you’re willing to fly with a stopover or travel on the red-eye, you may get a better deal.