Everyone wants to travel more without breaking the bank. As frequent travellers, we’ve picked up a few tips that help keep costs low while still enjoying great experiences and without too much additional effort. Here’s how we travel on a budget without compromising too much on comfort.
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1. Book Flights Well in Advance, But Don’t Rush
There’s no magic formula, but booking flights around 6–8 weeks ahead tends to work well for us. Anything further out and prices can be higher, especially if the airline hasn’t released all their seats. If you’re flexible with dates, you can also save quite a bit by flying mid-week.
2. Use Budget Airlines, But Be Prepared
Budget airlines are great for saving money, but they often come with extra charges for things like luggage, food, and seat selection. We make sure to pack light (carry-on only, if possible) and you can bring your own snacks to avoid these additional costs if you want. If you have luggage though it is worth checking if a carrier like RyanAir is ACTUALLY cheaper.
3. Consider Alternative Airports
Flying into smaller or secondary airports can save a lot of money. We’ve flown into airports on the outskirts of major cities and found cheaper flights. Just keep in mind the cost of getting into the city, as transport can be more expensive from smaller airports – however, we’ve almost always been able to find a bus or train route that has been quite effective and affordable.
4. Stay in Cheaper Hotels, Hostels or Guesthouses
You don’t always need to stay in a hotel to have a comfortable experience. We often stay in guesthouses, or budget hotels, which are a fraction of the cost of big-chain hotels. It’s also worth thinking about value as well as cost – if it’s the same price, but you get breakfast, is that better value? Or actually, would you rather stay in the amazing hotel but not pay for breakfast and grab a croissant at a local cafe?
Often, we’ve found that airbnbs or guesthouses are by far the best experience – for example our guest house in Sintra had an honesty bar, pool and was a beautiful old house in and of itself, with amazing views. It was just 10 minutes away from the centre!
We’re slightly past hostels at this point but they’re a great option if you’re on a budget – and many hostels now offer private rooms, so you can enjoy privacy at a much lower price.
5. Cook Your Own Meals
Eating out can eat up a big chunk of your travel budget. If you’re not massively bothered about eating out, book accommodation with a kitchen, so you can cook simple meals. Local markets are a great place to pick up fresh produce and snacks at a fraction of the cost of restaurant meals and it’s actually a really enjoyable and local-feeling experience to spend some time looking in to local foods and cooking them yourself!
One night in Bologna, we bought some wine and took it back to our (in fairness amazing) apartment and had a great night sipping, talking and watching the sunset.
6. Use Public Transport
Taxis and rideshares can get expensive quickly, so we stick to public transport whenever we can.
In part, this is because we actually really enjoyable it! It’s often the fastest and cheapest way to get around a city, and it gives you a more authentic experience of the place. Plus, it’s a good way to save money for other activities.
In particular, if you’re travelling between cities and especially in Europe, train travel is cheap and easy to navigate – we’ve done so many day trips using local trains for example.
7. Take Advantage of Free Activities
Many cities have loads of free things to do, like museums, parks, festivals, or even walking tours. Do a bit of research before you go to find out what’s free or low-cost. Walking around a city is often one of the best ways to experience it anyway – if you do a “free” walking tour though, please do consider tipping. The universe will thank you (karma and all that).
8. Look for Discounts and Coupons
Before you head out, look for discounts or online offers. Websites like Groupon, or even Google search for local coupons, often have deals for activities, attractions, and meals. It’s worth checking if there are any offers before you spend full price.
By the same token, many cities often have “tourist maps” or “tourist cards” with discounts on them or in the case of cards discounted entry to lots of attractions. Prague’s is particularly good for instance. If you’re going to do some of this stuff anyway, see if it is worth investing in a card like this.
9. Travel Off-Season
Travelling during peak season can mean inflated prices, especially for flights and accommodation. We prefer to go just before or after peak season when prices are lower, but the weather is still good. It’s quieter, more affordable, and you get to avoid the crowds.
Bear in mind that peak and off-season vary depending on where you’re going!
10. Use Cashback and Discount Sites or Air Miles Cards
Websites like Quidco let you earn money back on bookings. It’s not huge, but every little bit helps when it comes to booking flights, hotels, or activities. You could also check for student, senior, or loyalty discounts to save where you can.
However, if you feel it is for you and you are happy to have a credit card, we’d recommend something like Barclaycard’s Avios card. We put all of our day to day spending on it and it builds air miles for spending you’d be doing anyway. Amex offer something similar – think about which airlines you’re likely to use and factor this in to your card decision.
Travelling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to miss out on great experiences. With a bit of planning and flexibility, you can stretch your money further and still have an amazing trip.
