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Travel does cost money, but be careful not to pay more than is necessary. One of the best ways to pay less for travel is to become more knowledgeable about the tools and resources you should be utilising.
From flights to accommodations to meals and activities, the costs of travelling can quickly add up. However, there are many ways to reduce costs while still taking advantage of everything travel has to offer.
I’ve found these 9 budget travel hacks to be quite helpful for us, especially if you’re planning a long-term adventure.
I hope you find them helpful and that they will help you save money without sacrificing your experience. Read on for the best budget travel hacks and advice for your next trip.
Hack #1. Travel during the off-peak season to pay less for travel
This is one of the easiest ways to save money on travel. Travelling during off-peak seasons means lower airfare prices, cheaper accommodations, and fewer crowds.
Most people are unaware that travelling doesn’t require being extremely wealthy or breaking the bank. I’ve been asked several times how we manage to travel so frequently.
So, I’ve discovered that finding the best deals is most likely to happen when you get really good at planning your trips.
For instance, we once found round-trip tickets from London to Malaga, Spain, for just £35 each, and we were able to do this by avoiding popular travel periods when demand is at its highest and prices soar.
If you plan to travel during the busy season, you should consider booking in advance, particularly for flights and accommodation—more on this later in this post.
As an alternative, be sure to try visiting lesser-known locations or regions; you’d be surprised at what an amazing experience you’d have.
Hack #2: Pay less for travel by taking public transportation.
Instead of renting a car or taking taxis everywhere, use public transportation like buses and trains. You will pay less and also get to experience the local culture and see more of the city.
In Europe, for example, the transport network is really great. You can easily travel between countries and cities for at least 30 minutes or in less than an hour or two by train.
I would suggest trainline if you want to easily travel around Europe by train or bus. The best part is that if you book ahead of time, you can save over 60% on average.
I also remember once, we travelled from Brussels, Belgium, to Dusseldorf, Germany, in less than 30 minutes. Interrail Eurail and raileurope are also among the train network companies in Europe.
Hack #3. Stay in hostels or Airbnb
Hostels are great for solo travellers who want to meet new people while saving money on accommodation.
Airbnb, Booking.com and Agoda offer affordable lodging options where you can stay in local neighbourhoods instead of expensive tourist areas.
We always opt for Airbnb for the homey feel suitable for Remote workers like us and easily find value-for-money accommodations.
PRO TIP: Make sure you check reviews before booking any accommodation to avoid disappointments; some Airbnb can be misleading, especially with pictures.
Hack #4. Cook your meals to save or pay less on your travel
Eating out every day can add up quickly, especially if you’re travelling with a group. Consider cooking some meals at home using local ingredients from markets or grocery stores.
This hack always works well when you have accommodation that includes self-catering, like in most Airbnbs.
Alternatively, if you are lodging in a hotel, you can consider booking rooms with complementary breakfast so that you don’t spend money on breakfast, and for dinner, you can consider eating like the locals.
Hack #5. Find free activities to cut travel costs.
There are plenty of free things to do in any destination – hiking trails, parks, museums with free admission days, and free walking tours.
Make sure you research before your trip, which should be already done in your trip planning process.
Hack #6. Book flights early
Booking flights early can help save money as airlines offer discounts for bookings in advance. Flight reservations have always seemed to me to be the most difficult expense to reduce.
Although there are many ways to get cheap flights, we have found that avoiding travelling during peak times or booking in advance is always helpful.
Furthermore, you can sign up for Skyscanner flight alerts by choosing your desired destination and date (possibly a round trip), and you will be notified via email when there are flight deals without having to check the app manually.
Hack #7. Take advantage of credit card rewards programs
Many credit cards offer rewards points that can be redeemed for airline tickets or hotel stays. Make sure to research which ones have the best rewards program for travel before signing up!
When Alex or I book a hotel through Booking.com, for example, we always get genius points through Booking.com’s royalty programme.
So basically, as a Booking.com customer, you can use the blue Genius logo to find properties that are part of this programme. All discounts and rewards are applied automatically when you book, so you don’t have to do anything.
And each stay counts towards your progress in the programme. Your discounts and travel benefits are yours to keep forever once unlocked. This is what enables us to travel while spending less on accommodation.
Hack #8. Pack Light and Avoid Extra Fees
If you want to travel on a budget, one of the most important things to remember is to pack light. Airports charge extra fees for big or heavy luggage ( Especially in Europe).
These expenses may become so overwhelming that they exceed your travel budget.
I learned the hard way how to pack lightly. We travelled frequently, and each time I packed many things, it once cost us more than £150.
My current strategy, especially for this year’s travels (2023), is only to bring a carry-on bag.
Hack #9. Negotiate Prices for Souvenirs and Tours
There are some tactics I’ve discovered and advice you can remember to help save money when it comes to haggling over tour and souvenir prices while travelling. These may be obvious, but most people still overlook it.
Always learn about the local culture. For example, bargaining is an important part of business in Zambia and most other African countries. Knowing the local customs and traditions about haggling and negotiating is important.
Also, walk around the market or store and compare the prices of similar items. This will give you an idea of the price range, help you figure out what a fair price to aim for and enable you to pay less for your travel.
Learn some useful key phrases in the local language, such as how to say hello and how to make small talk. This shows respect and can make things easier when negotiating. You can skip this hack if you are not into buying souvenirs or taking tours.
How to Travel More While Spending Less
In my opinion,travelling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing your comfort or experience. By implementing these nine travel hacks mentioned above, you can pay less for your travel and still have an amazing trip.
Remember to plan ahead, be flexible with your itinerary, take advantage of loyalty programs and discounts, pack smartly and always keep an eye out for deals.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to make the most of your next adventure without breaking the bank.
Happy travels!
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