‘How To Travel Cheap?’ is probably one of the most searched for pieces of information on the internet. And why not! Travel overall is the most amazing way to take you and your mind off things, to introduce you to new sights and flavours, and to give you so much inspiration in life.
It’s no wonder travel industry is one the biggest industries in existence. For me, to be able to travel, and travel cheap, has been a lifeline! I was born in a country where I never wanted to stay. And now I find myself again in a country where I do not want to live.
So, knowing that I can just book tickets NOW and leave gives me an incredible amount of peace of mind. But even if your need to travel isn’t quite as dire as mine, we can’t deny that travel is a thing we all enjoy greatly!
In the past couple years I’ve become the ultimate travel aficionado who needs to travel cheap to travel well and often. Quality and comfort are things that I do not like to compromise on, so I’ve had to find other ways to make ends meet. I’d like to share these ways with you to make sure you don’t need to compromise on quality either.
How I Am Able To Travel Cheap and So Often
1. Plan ahead
Well planned is half done. A phrase I heard continuously repeated in my childhood. And which I later realized to be absolutely true. If you want to travel cheap, you’ve gotta do a little bit of planning. Not much (I don’t believe in holidays with a schedule), but just enough to save you money and effort.
And obviously, the first step is to plan where you’d like to go. Think,
- what kind of a holiday do I want; a beach or a city break
- what do I want to do on this holiday; take it as easy as possible or experience the local way of life
- how much time am I able to allocate for this holiday; a weekend getaway or a week off?
Think about travel times and the level of expenses at the destination. Perhaps don’t choose London or Paris where accommodation and eating will cost you a helicopter’s worth. Instead, look a bit further.
In Europe, especially, there are incredible gems that nobody seems to think about. And these gems will save you a long penny, while providing you with a unique and extraordinary travel experience. For example, why not try Slovakia, Portugal or Ukraine?
2. Check the best travel options
Travel equals flying for many of us. And it’s quite obvious that if we live on an island or up in Scandinavia we are geographically separated from the main continent. But actually, given that you have more than a weekend to spend away, you’ve got a plethora of options.
So, do check whether you might have one of these options to use instead of flying:
- drive yourself
- take the train
- take the boat
- take the bus
These are all more ecological options than flying, and you also get to experience the cities and countries on the way. Something you could never do from a plane! That’s a lot of extra for a lot less money.
And let me tell you, you can actually drive to the continent even from Scandinavia. Just take the 2-hour cruise ship from Helsinki to Estonia, or drive over the bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark. In case you don’t own a car, just book one from Discover Cars, the Tripadvisor of car hires! Travel cheap and easy.
We have actually driven from Slovakia to Finland once, and it only took 2 days. Not bad, considering we covered half the continent.
3. Travel off peak season
Now this! Why do people always go and book travels in tourist traps in August when they surely know it’s gonna be a nightmare?! Popular places like Lisbon or Milan are always busy, so during peak season going there is (in my opinion) not worth it.
Popular tourist destinations are well known for raising prices everywhere when the season starts. And when it ends they lower the prices again. I have first hand experience of this.
For example, traveling to Portugal in April awards you with Summer weather, cheaper prices and streets where you can actually fit and walk. And if you travel to Odessa, Ukraine in the beginning of September, you’ve got the same weather as in August, but a 70% discount on all beach clubs and spas.
The must-see sights are not too crowded and you can even get good photos without hundreds of strangers in them. Obviously, this doesn’t bother everyone, but I’d rather not include random strangers in my photos.
4. Sign up for hotel and airline newsletters
In case you really can’t find a way to travel any other way, finding cheap flights can save you a week’s holiday meals. Skyscanner is the ultimate savor when looking for cheap flights.
You can even search for multiple destinations at once. For example, London → Bali, Bali → Indonesia, Indonesia → Malaysia. Skyscanner will give you the best options for all at once.
Another thing you’d do well to take advantage of, is to sign up for your favourite airlines’ and hotels’ newsletters. Especially airlines send out monthly offers, which can really help you out.
Same with hotels, they have discounts on rooms and services. Even though I travel cheap, that doesn’t mean I couldn’t travel in style. Hell no, I’ve slept comfortably in 5-star hotels many a time for a mere 50€/night. You’ve just got to keep on top of those newsletters ;)
5. Choose your accommodation well
Which leads us nicely to the question of how and where to stay while away? Today we thankfully have plenty of options to choose from:
- hotels
- AirBnB
- hostels
- holiday apartments
- a friend’s couch.
I’ve traveled so much in my life that it isn’t once or twice that I’ve slept on a friend’s couch. We’re talking in dozens here. And why not! If there is someone you know at the destination, why not ask if they have space. Offer to take them out for a dinner or an evening in the theater, many are more than willing to oblige.
To travel cheap, AirBnBs are also a great option. And in case you’re not too fussed about sharing a shower with strangers, a hostel is probably the most budget-friendly option.
6. Save at the destination
Here are couple super simple tips to keep in mind if you want to travel cheap:
♦ Many popular sights have cheaper entry prices if you book your tickets beforehand online.
♦ Even if your accommodation is modest and on a budget, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t enjoy your holiday full-on! You can easily add a bit of luxury to your weekend getaway or a week off with Resort Pass. Avoid expensive hotel rooms and just take advantage of the hotels’ spas, pool areas and other services for a day.
♦ A huge part of traveling is, of course, food. For me, eating like locals do is one of the highlights of any holiday. But if you’re on a budget trip, you might consider cooking ‘at home’, in case your accommodation allows it. It’s still local!
♦ Instead of guided tours go the extra mile (literally) and explore the places that most tourists miss out on. Book a car anywhere you are easily from Discover Cars and discover the local surroundings on a whole new level.
Travel is the best way to experience life at its fullest. As long as we keep our wits about us, there is no way your next trip wouldn’t be a success story!
What do you think, would these tips help you save an extra penny on your next travels? Where are you planning to travel next? ♥
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