Is the only thing you can afford to give this February 14 a hand-made card and some flowers you've stolen from the neighbours' garden? Want to do something special but terrified of the not-so-lovely prices surrounding the festival of love? Panic not, a romantic break doesn't have to cost the earth. The Cheapflights team has put together a few tips to help you woo your loved one with the perfect holiday, without walloping your wallet…
Timing is everything
Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday this year, which means prices will rise for travel for that specific weekend. If you can wait to take your break a week later you might find prices up to 50 per cent cheaper. Alternatively, there's still time to have a holiday before the day itself. See our guide to Last Minute Flights for ways to get the best late deal.
Off the beaten track
At this time of year, everyone wants to go to a "romantic city" – so flights to Paris or Venice are going to be more expensive. The more unusual your choice of destination is, the least likely it is to be affected by price hikes. Try Budapest or Vilnius for more unique getaways. For more ideas on planning your holiday, see our guide to The Perfect Romantic Getaway.
Alternative airports
OK, we know we go on about this all the time at Cheapflights, but flying to alternative airports really can save serious money on flights. Ryanair notoriously fly to airports further out of town, and the cheapest flights available with many of the low-costers are to secondary airports. Check flights to places close to your chosen destination, even nearby towns if necessary. Though you will need to add extra time to your holiday to get to the place you want to be, you could save a lot of money by avoiding the most popular airports. Just don't forget to take bus or train fares into consideration and try and avoid flights that arrive late at night. If the public transport has stopped and a taxi is the only way you can get into town, you might find you end up saving little money.
Stay local
If you want to discover the roots of Valentine's Day, two cities where you can brush up on the history are close to home. Rome was the site of the martyrdom of Saint Valentine, a priest who was said to have been persecuted by the Emperor Claudius. Persecution and martyrdom aside, the city is an ideal destination for romance. Dublin houses a shrine of St Valentine where relics of the Saint are supposed to be buried. It won't take long to fly to either destination from the UK and the range of airlines offering flights to both cities means it should be relatively easy to find a good deal.
Stay in
If you want to save money while you're on holiday, don't stay in a hotel but choose self-catering accommodation. Paying to eat out for every meal is one of the most expensive parts of any break. Don't spend money on activities either. Use a site such as What's on When to find out about free events, museums, galleries or sites of interest before you go. And remember, if all else fails, take a long romantic walk. Just pack your umbrella in case of rain.
Keep in touch
To find out the latest news and deals from airlines keep an eye on Cheap Flight News to make sure you never miss details of a seat sale again. Also, sign up to our newsletter for a pick of the best deals on offer from our site, straight to your inbox every week.
Sabrina Wolfe
© Cheapflights Ltd
Updated January 2009
