If you feel like you deserve a break but just don’t have enough money for your dream holiday, there is no need to panic. You can still take a trip to a popular location on a budget that suits you. We all want to escape from the busy lives that we lead and enjoy some fun in the sun or stay active in an adventure break but many of us struggle to save the money for the holiday we crave.
However, we all know that if we really want something in life then we should try our hardest to make it happen. It just means that you’ll need to be much smarter with your money and try to make small savings wherever you can on your holiday. In order to help you out, we’ve compiled 19 ways how to travel on a budget so that you get the best out of your getaway.
1) Choose the right destination
If you know what region you would like to go to, have a look at the locations that offer the same experiences but at cheaper costs. For example, you would have an amazing holiday at Seychelles which is one of the best destinations for pristine beaches but it is expensive. However, if you follow your way south down the map, you’ll the tranquil island of Mauritius which is also bursting with beautiful beaches but at cheaper holiday costs. If you’re looking for a new destination, have a look at our article on the cheapest places that you can visit this year.
2) Keep your dates and times flexible
You can save money by booking your holiday during the off-season or looking to travel on a weekday. But, you’ll need to be aware of any major events that could increase the costs during your travels. Travelling to Singapore in the autumn, for instance, is often cheaper since it is off-season. In contrast, hotel prices skyrocket during the Singapore Grand Prix, usually around late September or early October.
3) Compare flights
Once you decided on your destination, the next step is to compare the affordable flights between the different airlines. Skyscanner is a great site to use which shows the cheapest and best flight deals available and allows you to set up notification alerts for flight price changes. Booking flights in advance will give you a higher chance.
4) Compare hotels
Currently, you can look through multiple comparison sites to find the right accommodation that fits your travel budget. Prices offered by different comparison sites can vary based on the booking site you’re checking. Comparison sites such as Skyscanner, Booking.com, TripAdvisor and Kayak all have the standard filters to narrow down the accommodation that fits your budget. Take your time to look at budget hostels and hotels if you’re looking to save even more money.
5) Book last minute
It may be a little risky but you also have the option to book a last-minute holiday when providers are looking to fill vacancies. Although, you’ll be less likely to receive a discount compared to package tour hotels and operators. Ensure that your passport has not expired, and your location doesn’t need a travel visa before you book a last-minute deal. Just make sure that if you do require a visa, it can be received either on time or on arrival.
6) Sign up for newsletters
Feel free to sign up for a few travel company newsletters that you prefer as they reward their loyal customers by listing the best deals and rewards in newsletters. However, if do receive too many emails from those companies, you can change the subscription preference or set up a new email just for travel and flight deals
7) Search for all-inclusive package tours
It may be much cheaper to purchase an all-inclusive package deal that includes the flights, accommodation and meals. If you don’t mind that the package deals are not too flexible with what you can do and where you save money eating then an all-inclusive holiday package would be perfect for you.
8) Buy travel insurance
Don’t forget that things can go wrong on your holiday such as your baggage getting lost or getting involved in an accident that cost you thousands of pounds in medical bills. However, if you choose the right travel insurance, you can put a cap on the amount that you would have to pay if something bad were to happen. Just remember to travel safely to minimise the risk of having to use your travel insurance.
9) Monitor your mobile costs
We can all agree that we hate to accrue large roaming costs when we go on holiday and sometimes we forget that not every location (especially in Europe) is included in our data roaming deal. For example, you’ll be surprised to hear that Jersey and Guernsey are not part of the EU or the UK as they are self-governing British Crown dependencies. So, your data allowance would not extend to these locations. To stay clear of large roaming charges, just leave your Wi-Fi on or buy a local SIM card.
10) Know how to use ATMs
If you’re still exchanging your money at your local travel bureau, it may be the best time to pick up a prepaid debit card from an online bank that offers you great exchange rates when you withdraw money from your destination’s ATMs. When the ATM asks if you would like to convert your money, always choose ‘debit in local currency’ without conversion’ or ‘no conversion’ because then your card operator will calculate the conversion rather than the ATM. Additionally. Try to avoid non-bank ATMs such as Cashzone, Travelex and Euronet as they charge a higher fee.
11) Airport parking tips
It can really bring up our costs if you’re looking to park your car at the airport, although there is a peer-to-peer parking app that gives you the cheaper option to rent a parking space from a private individual. Alternatively, you can check to see if the airport hotels provide park-and-stay deals. This system maybe not be popular in Europe and Asia but it is more common in the US.
12) Save money where you can
If you’re looking to save in all areas of your holiday it will quickly add up. However, look out for airlines that will charge extra for seat selection and priority boarding. Many travellers know how to save money and avoid the pay for the extra options even if they are in a couple or a group. They cheekily ask to swap seats with other passengers if they want more desirable seats on the plane. Also, you should try to avoid the overpriced food and drinks at airports and just cook up your own food before you leave your house.
13) Don’t pack too much
Try and keep your luggage light to avoid any excess luggage charges at the airport. Don’t forget to weigh your bag at home to ensure that you’re within the legal airline limits.
14) Walk if you can
If you’re really looking to save money then walking to different locations within a city (within reason) would be your best option. We are blessed that many European cities are built up and compact locations that allow you to visit multiple sights without having to pay for public transport.
15) Create your itinerary
Take your time, plan your trip and create your own itinerary that enables you to travel on a budget. If you really aren’t familiar with the culture and local language of a huge city, capital or local markets then it may be best to select a local tour guide.
16) Journey by coach
Apart from walking or renting a bike, taking a cheap bus or coach is the best way to travel around the city or to nearby cities or regions. For example, if you were visiting Israel and looking for a road trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem (42 miles/67 km away), the cheapest option would be to take the coach from Tel Aviv’s Arlozorov bus terminal which has a continuous stream of public transportation throughout the day.
17) Purchase a travel or city pass
You can purchase city passes that are often active for 24, 48 or 72 hours and they usually include public transport, entry to major attractions and extra discounts which would allow you to travel around economically.
For example in Reykjavík, Iceland, you can purchase a city card that gives you access to thermal pools which would be perfect after a long day of sightseeing.
18) Avoid expensive food and drink
It may be best to avoid the food and drinks at your hotels or around tourist hotspots as they are more expensive than the back streets. Why bother with having to pay tourist prices in a hotel and restaurant food when you can find great, and often more authentic, food at a street vendor or counter-service establishment? Grab-and-go is almost usually less expensive and it allows you to explore the multiple cuisine options on the street at your own pace.
It also may be best to avoid buying bottled water and just buy a reusable water bottle and fill it up at your hotel to save yourself as much money as possible.
19) Work during your travels
If you’re taking an extended break then there are ways to work while you travel. Teaching abroad in regions such as Southeast Asia and South America is perfect if you’re looking to teach English at their schools. TEFL and CELTA are great examples that provide opportunities and accreditation to potential teachers.
You could look for through house sitting websites if a family is looking for someone to look after their house when they are away. You’ll basically earn money while living in free accommodation… it’s a no-brainer.
