Travel doesn't have to break the bank! Allow us to guide you on the path of frugal enlightenment. 🐷💰
The thing is, travel doesn’t have to be expensive. You can take that sojourn you’ve been longing for – and have a great time – without financially ruining yourself. You just have to be smart with your spending, plan and maybe make the odd concession. As a team with plenty of experience walking that tightrope between itchy feet and the dire state of our bank account, allow us to guide you on the path of frugal enlightenment. Here’s how we saving money while travelling.
You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe for your trip. Although, there might be a few practical things you need. Maybe you’re going on your first ski trip or you’ve realised your leather knapsack isn’t going to cut it for the hikes you have planned. Before you spend hundreds of dollars buying brand-new apparel, first ask: what can I borrow? Chances are someone you know can lend you a ski jacket and thermals or you’ve got a friend with the perfect backpack gathering dust in the back of their wardrobe. For the things you can’t borrow, try second-hand shops and Facebook Marketplace. Economical and a good shout for the environment!
Not the most inspiring task but if you’re travelling with limited funds, this is necessary. A budget doesn’t have to be an overcomplicated affair or trigger unpleasant flashbacks to learning Excel in Grade 7. Start with the simple facts: how much money do you have (or ideally need) to go away with? Once you’ve accounted for flights, travel insurance and accommodation, you’ll have a clear idea of what you can spend on food and fun each day you’re away. It will also show youhow far you can make your money stretch and the places you might want to have more funds to play with.
There’s no need to be paying rent on an empty room while you’re travelling for two months, right? In the lead up to your trip, take stock of your monthly expenses and identify places where you could save while you’re away. Could you sublet your room to cover your rent? Put your health insurance or phone plan on hold? Or rent your car out on a peer-to-peer car sharing platform?
We’re not exactly living in the golden age of finding sweet last-minute flight deals, so try and book your flights as far in advance as possible. Search engines like Skyscanner and Google Flights are great for comparing options and dates. Just remember to check the airline website to make sure you’re getting the best deal. If you can be flexible with your arrival destination, spend some time experimenting with flight paths. An international flight into Paris might end up being a few hundred dollars cheaper than, say a flight to London. In places like Europe and Asia, make the most of budget airlines for short internal flights. But be wary of extra fees for luggage and missing pre-flight check-in (looking at you, Ryanair). And don’t forget that flights tend to be cheaper towards the start of the week than Friday to Sunday.
We all want to lounge around the Amalfi Coast drinking Aperols during the peak of European summer, but it’s not always a smart financial decision. Travelling anywhere during peak season means paying inflated flight, accommodation and transport costs. If you can avoid taking your trip during these months, you’ll definitely save money. Or even just outside the peak. There are plenty of countries in Europe where the weather is still beautiful and hot in August and September (cheers, global warming), but the prices and crowds have significantly dropped.
Google the Albanian Riveria. Not what comes to mind when you think of Albania, right? Now try Yala National Park. You probably didn’t think of Sri Lanka as a safari destination with leopards, elephants and crocodiles. There’s an endless list of amazing destinations to be discovered beyond typical tourist hotspots and they’re often far cheaper than more well-known places!
Choosing to holiday away from certain over-trodden paths can also have positive social and environmental outcomes and reduce the effects of overtourism. Overtourism occurs when unsustainable numbers of tourists visit certain destinations, causing environmental damage, disrupting natural habitats and impacting the quality of life for local communities.
You don’t have to miss out on all the sights and attractions when travelling on a budget – you’ve just gotta get creative. Start by looking up free activities in your destination. This might be a free walking tour or a certain day of the month with free admission to a museum or gallery. Make a list of paid sights and their price and work out what reasonably fits into the budget (and what you need to forgo). Ask your accommodation if they offer any discounts for local businesses or attractions. And finally, think outside the box for ways to experience a destination without spending much money. This could be hiring a bike to explore a new city instead of paying for a bus tour. Or having a picnic in a park instead of going to a restaurant.
The chance to try a country’s cuisine is one of the best things about travelling and a non-negotiable in our opinion. But eating breakfast, lunch and dinner at a restaurant? You probably don’t need to do all three, every day. Sample local markets and street vendors as well. They’re cheap, delicious and putting money back into the local economy. Cooking the odd meal at your accomodation and buying some basic groceries (fruit, granola, bars, nuts and other snacks that will keep you full) will also trim some fat from the food budget, as will booking accommodation where breakfast is included and avoiding eating out in super touristy areas.
Three reasons we love walking while travelling: it’s free, you get a deeper sense of the place you’re visiting and you feel less guilty about all the local food you’re sampling. When walking isn’t an option, public transport is your next cheapest option. Or hiring a bike or electric scooter. We’ve recently discovered the delights of skipping the subway and scootering our way home after dinner. Ridiculously fun, you can stop at bars along the way and you see a bunch of stuff on the streets you would have otherwise missed!
Hostels and guesthouses are your best bet for budget accommodation. Along with being cheaper, they’re a great way to meet fellow fun travellers and find local tips for your destination. Hostelworld and Booking.com are our favourite search engines to compare options. If you want to get even closer to the local community, try Couchsurfing or Bewelcome. These are hospitality exchange networks that hook you up with locals who love to host and make friends.
Speaking of friends, how about all those international pals you’ve met over the years, the ones who always promised you’d have a bed if you ever made it to their side of the world. Take them up on that offer. If you’re travelling with a group or meet cool people along the way, you could also pool together and rent a whole apartment for less than a hotel or hostel bed. Camping or hiring a van are great options too. Cheap and a good excuse to work a roadtrip into your itinerary. And don’t forget that Air Bnb and Booking.com offer discounts for long-term stays (sometimes up to 50% off).
There are also options to exchange services for a free bed. WWOOF, Workaway and Help Exchange are all organisations that offer accommodation and food in return for a few hours of work a day. If you’re interested in minding someone’s home or looking after their pets for free accommodation, take a look at House Carers, Trusted Housesitters, Mad Paws, Mind My House and Nomador for available listings.
Last but not least, take advantage of travel days by sprinkling a few overnight trains and buses throughout your trip (they’re pretty comfortable these days. Or sleeping the odd night at the airport.
