Despite 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.
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How it started
Chelsea’s 10 holidays in 2017 averaged just £170 each
(Chelsea Dickenson)
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…
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