Sun, sea and… free? How to go on holiday without paying

It doesn’t seem to matter where you go or how long for, holidays cost money. A lot of money!

And with bills rising and budgets squeezed tighter than ever, a break away might feel completely out of reach right now.

But what if you could go on holiday for free? Yes, seriously - free.

Whether you’re dreaming of a beach break, a cosy cottage stay on the coast, or even a few nights at a music festival, there are ways to make it happen without breaking the bank.

Here’s how to go holiday for free or for next to nothing.

Family Holiday Charity

If you’ve been skipping holidays because money’s tight, the Family Holiday Charity could be your golden ticket.

The charity works with Inspire Travel who offer a wide range of holidays, including self-catered caravans, lodges and cottages across the UK.

Funded holidays typically cover the cost of self-catered accommodation for up to four nights, with a contribution towards your travel and food costs.

To qualify, you’ll need to:

• have a household income under £24,000, non-means tested benefits don’t count
• have at least one child under 18
• not have had a holiday in the past four years

Airline credit cards – your weekly shop could earn you a flight

If you’re already using a credit card for your shopping, why not pick one that earns you air miles? Cards linked to airline reward programmes let you collect points every time you spend.

Once you’ve racked up enough, those points can be swapped for flights, just watch out for taxes and fees. Though availability is much more limited than when paying for flights, so you'll probably need to be flexible when booking.

It’s also worth knowing you can convert points on your Nectar card to Avios loyalty points which offers flights to various destinations.

Win a holiday (seriously!)

It’s not just for lucky people, someone has to win those exotic getaway comps. So why not you?

Sites like Travel Scoop make entering quick and easy and it's all free. Just remember, the more you enter, the better your chances.

Bag free stays pet setting!

Want to stay somewhere lovely and snuggle up with a cute dog or cat?

Pet sitting is a great way to explore somewhere new without having to fork out on accommodation. You get a free stay and the host gets peace of mind their beloved pet is being looked after in their home. Everyone wins.

Browse pet sitting opportunities on sites like Trusted House Sitters.  

Turn your Tesco shop into a night away with loyalty points

Rack up enough Clubcard or Nectar points and you could swap them for hotel stays or money off travel.

And don’t forget travel sites like Booking.com and Hotels.com have schemes in place that if you save enough points, you’ll get money off a trip.

YHA breaks

The YHA Breaks Programme offers part or fully-funded holidays for young people and families who find going on holidays a challenge.

Trips to YHA hostels are usually around two nights with full-board.

So far, the programme’s supported:

• young carers
• young people with disabilities and/or health conditions
• young people with additional needs
• refugee and migrant groups
• young people and families at risk of being homeless
• young people and families from deprived areas
• young people in the care system or care leavers
• ethnically diverse communities
• LGBTQ+ support groups

Volunteer at festivals

Festival tickets are eye-wateringly expensive these days. But you can skip the queue, and the cost, by volunteering.

Oxfam runs a volunteer programme where you get training, crew camping, free food vouchers, showers and even phone charging. All in exchange for a few shifts.

Find out about the volunteering opportunities open for this summer’s roster of festivals.

Working holidays

If the mud and portaloos of Glastonbury isn’t your thing and a free place to stay in sunny Spain or a farm in France sounds more appealing, then a working holiday could be just the ticket.

Sites like Workaway.info connect you with hosts offering accommodation (and sometimes meals) in return for a few hours of help each day.

Wild camping in Scotland

In Scotland, wild camping is totally legal in most places, unlike the rest of the UK.

Pitch up in a loch-side glen or a coastal cliff and wake up to nature at its finest.

Just make sure you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and camp responsibly.

So go on, treat yourself. The world’s waiting and it might cost you a lot less than you think.