Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips on how to manage journey costs, when travelling to attend a wedding...
"Wedding ceremonies are well known for placing financial strain upon guests, ranging from the cost associated with your gift, to a new outfit, and even – your transport.
"Whether the ceremony is being held in the UK, or further afield, consumers will likely have to travel to attend a loved one's big day. I've pulled together my top tips to help you cut costs and ensure you can enjoy your family and friend's nuptials without worrying about your finances.
"First and foremost, if you're attending a wedding outside of your local town/city, consider booking travel as soon as possible to reduce costs. Traditionally, wedding invitations are sent out six weeks before, leaving guests plenty of time to book cabs/trains/flights. On average, travel costs tend to rise three weeks before the scheduled departure date, so booking as soon as you receive your invite or save the date will ensure you can find and book travel that suits your budget.
"If you are travelling by train, split ticketing using Split My Fare can cut travel costs significantly. For example, if travelling from London to Edinburgh purchase two tickets, one from London to Doncaster and another from Doncaster to Edinburgh. This is often more cost effective than buying one ticket for the entire journey.
"Taking the time to shop around using price comparison sites such as Skyscanner or Kayak, will help you find the cheapest flight deals available. You'll be able to see all your available options, including luggage fees, allowing you to make the most cost-effective decision for you and your family. VoucherCodes.co.uk also has a variety of travel deals available which can be used for both domestic and international travel.
"If you are planning on travelling by car and have spare seats, ask the happy couple if there's other guests local to you that you can carshare with. Not only does it give you a chance to get to know other guests before the big day, but splitting the cost of petrol helps both parties save some pennies.
"Additionally, depending on where you are travelling to, Uber won't necessarily be readily available to get you home or back to your accommodation in the early hours of the morning. Pre-booking your travel with local taxi services in advance will ensure you get the best price and get home quickly.
"Always purchase insurance for journeys abroad. Should you need to cancel your travel plans or something goes wrong along the way, you'll be refunded the price of your ticket. It is also always advisable to pay for flights on a credit card too. On the rare occasion an airline or trainline goes into administration, you are better protected when it comes to receiving a refund.
"And finally, set a defined budget of the money you can commit. Be realistic with your spending pot and remember to account for the gifts, extra food and drink, and hotel stays and more. Try putting together a Microsoft Excel cost sheet to keep yourselves on track."
VoucherCodes.co.uk is the UK's most-trusted discount code site, where you can find plenty of hand-tested codes to help you save money on your travel needs.
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