WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE UP FOR A TRIP TO  FIJI?

With average flight prices dropping now is a great time to plan that trip

Far flung locations can seem like a pipe dream for many travellers, with most thinking a lottery win or some serious saving would be needed to make those travel dreams come true.  However, according to global travel search engine Skyscanner.net, that isn't always the case.  Simply giving up some daily treats like the trendy smashed avocado on toast for breakfast could save travellers over £1.4k a year which could result in enough money saved for a flight to Fiji and many other great locations

Skyscanner.net has looked into Brits favourite non-essential luxuries such as daily coffee, wasted gym membership, cigarettes and eating out, all which could be dropped in favour of living those travel dreams.

SKIPPING THE COFFEE = RETURN FLIGHTS TO BANGKOK

By skipping the morning take out coffee on the way to work travellers could pocket an extra £585 a year² and that saving could take them as far as Bangkok.  Average return flight price is £505¹, which is down 7.7% YoY(8). Whether travellers want to join the constant, happy stream of backpackers meandering the Khaosan Road, or are looking for the most ornate temples in Bangkok, there is so much on offer.  Skyscanner has pulled together Bangkok's best of the markets, temples and attractions

DROPPING THE POSH NOSH BREAKFAST = POSH BREAK TO FIJI

Whilst smashed avocado is the breakfast of moment, skipping the posh nosh each weekday could save travellers nearly £1,500 a year³!  With such a saving there are so many options opened up to travellers, including return flights to Fiji.  Average return flight price is £1,255¹, which is down 14.7% YoY(8). where they could explore the fabulous jungle waterfalls and white sandy beaches surrounded by coconut palms

GIVING UP THE UNUSED GYM MEMBERSHIP = CHECKING OUT MUSCLE BEACH IN LOS ANGELES

A recent report cited that Brits were wasting a whopping £558m³ a year in unused gym memberships. Depending on your gym membership you could save around £600 a year5 (sometimes even more).  If you only attended the gym 10 times a year that's a whopping £60 per visit.  Travellers could consider using a local park as their new gym, it's free and has the added benefit of fresh air.  By making this switch travellers could save enough money for return flights to Los Angeles where they could work out on the famous Venice beach. Average return flight price is £586.89¹, which is down 6.4% YoY(8).

QUITTING THE CIGARETTES = EXPLORING KUALA LUMPA

According to the NHS, the average smoker could save at least £548 a year if they quit the ciggies. Asides from the obvious health benefits to travellers and a possible reduction in the cost of their travel insurance, travellers could find themselves with enough money in their pockets for return flights to Kuala Lumpa. Average return flight price is £526.89¹, which is down 10% YoY(8).Skyscanner has uncovered the must see and must do things when in Kuala Lumpur

DITCHING THE EATING OUT = TRIP DOWN UNDER TO SYDNEY

Even if travellers only spend £20 a week on eating out, that's a whopping £1,0406 a year which could see them heading down under to enjoy the sunshine, beaches and fab fresh food in Sydney. Average return flight price is £860.82¹, which is down 10.2% YoY(8).   (average return flight prices £860.82¹).  And it's not just about the Opera House, Sydney has so much more to offer.  Check out Skyscanner's local guide to Sydney.

Cat McGloin, Skyscanner's travel editor commented: “With average flight prices to all destinations dropping by 8% yoy(7) there really isn't a better time for travellers to live out those dreams of traveling to far flung locations.  Quite a few travellers think that long haul means hefty prices but that's not always the case and just by making some small changes to their day to day lives could mean ticking one of those key destinations off their bucket list each year.”

In addition to considering cutting back on non-essentials, Skyscanner has more smart travel tips to help you get the best flight deals this year

• Monitor prices - The best way of getting a good fare is to keep track of the prices by setting up a price alert so that you are notified when prices rise or fall on a specific route.
• Consider travelling on a week day rather than the weekend – If possible, be flexible and fly on less popular days of the week. It pays to do your research by using Skyscanner's Month View search tool.
• Mix and Match: Fares don't have to be booked as returns, instead you can save money by flying out with one airline and back with another.
• Nearby Airports: Just click on 'add nearby airports' when creating your search and see if a short drive, bus or train journey could save you pounds
• Search Everywhere: For those with a limited budget but an unlimited imagination, Skyscanner recommends using its Search Everywhere tool, which will find the cheapest destinations to travel to for a specific date period.

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For more information, please contact Emma Wiseman on 07747 343233 or emma.wiseman@skyscanner.net 

Notes to editors

¹ Average flight prices are based on average Skyscanner flight prices at the point of exiting for flights departing the UK to selected destination between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2016

²based on Starbucks Tall Coffee Latter at £2.25 (weekdays only) = £585 a year

³based on independent café findings from abouttimemagazine.co.uk. £5.50 a day (weekdays) = £1,430 a year

4 According to a survey by Banana Boat and reported in Mirror.co.uk in January 2017

5 Based on Virgin Active Gym membership for gyms in East of England (not London)

6 Based on savings from workgateways.com on the cost of living in the UK

 7 Based on Skyscanner flight exit data from UK to all destinations between 1st January 2015 – 31st December 2015 compared to same period in 2016

8 Based on Skyscanner's flight exit data for 2015 compared against 2016 average flight price exit data.  For return economy flights only, from all UK airports to selected destination.

• Skyscanner is a leading global travel search company, providing free search of flights, hotels and car hire around the world
• Founded in 2003, Skyscanner helps over 50 million people each month to find their travel options
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