Pocket-Wise Trip to Paradise
A young explorer’s guide to travelling on a tight budget
Whether you’re taking a gap-year, or dipping into your savings to take a well-needed break from work, travelling is probably on your wish-list. So here are a few ways to get the most out of your trip, while taking the least out of your pocket.
Getting there
If you’re sticking to one continent, try a train – it may take longer than flying, but is much cheaper. It’s also more direct, and more comfortable than a bus. Statistically, it’s also the safest mode of transport.
If your trip takes you overseas, choose your flight carefully. A good rule of thumb is that daytime flights tend to cost more. If you can fly at night, or be at the airport at 2 am for a 3 o’clock flight, you’ll likely save a bit. Sleep on the plane if you can, and of course, fly coach.
Another interesting finding – keep the tabs open when you’re looking online at airline costs. Certain websites will bump the price the second or third time you open the site.
Accommodation
Top tip: skip the hotel. If your destination happens to be somewhere where friends or family live, ask them if they might have space for you to stay. Be sure to let them know you’re happy to cover your expenses; chances are they will be happy to have you visit, and you’ll save a lot.
If this isn’t the case, consider a backpackers or a self-catering B&B. In all likelihood, if you’re there to see the sights and experience the culture, all you’ll really need it for is sleeping and maybe half your meals.
Food
Don’t dodge the restaurants completely, you are there to have a good time and a new experience, but a restaurant for every meal will rack up quick. Feed yourself – do some basic shopping on your first day, cereal, snacks, eggs, easy-noodles so that you’re sorted for breakfast and can whip something up after a busy day.
Local markets: most markets will have ready-made foods – you can grab a quick lunch while you’re out and about and try some of the local flavours. Food is honestly one of the best cultural experiences out there. Fruit, of course: you’ll probably come across some weird and wonderful things you’ve never seen back home.
Transport
Taxis – no. Walk where you can, if you’re going further afield, use public transport, be it buses, trains or tuk-tuks. If you plan to do a lot of travelling, it may be worth your while renting a car while you’re there. People have even been known to buy a second-hand car on a trip and sell it again before flying home.
So, whether it’s flights to Tel Aviv, trains to Thailand or a ferry to France, do a bit of research before you take off. Find somewhere affordable to stay, try some local flavour and jam yourself onto the overcrowded public transport. After a long day of sightseeing, you’ll probably sleep well, even on a cheap cot bed at the local backpackers.
*This is a collaborative post.
Great tips! I have utilized many of these during my travels. I always tell people that traveling does not have to cost a fortune.
We usually end up renting a car where ever we go. It’s just easier on my back injuries not to be bumped along, lol. But I love walking as much as possible. I’ve been on train tours before but not for long trips. I think I’d really enjoy it.
I have never tried a Train trip. I wish i could experienced this someday. Looks so fun.
Thanks for these tips. I will make sure I remember these when we go for a quick weekend getaway in November for me and my husband’s birthday. (We were born 10 years and 11 days apart).
Oh wow how awesome to have such close dates so you can pick something to do.
A good tip to save money when travelling is using Airbnb! Its great having your own kitchen to cook and usually much cheaper than hotels!
I keep meaning to try out something like air bnb I’ve seen some amazing properties on it.
Budget friendly travel is the best way to travel now, and I’m always saying great deals online and I need to book my trip ASAP.
I know that being able to feed yourself is such a big thing while you are out traveling. Although you are right as well that food is such a cultural experience that you really don’t want to miss it. You just need to cut costs where you can as well.
Taking a train throughout Europe is SO much different than it is in America! It’s so easy to get around, and so convenient AND cheap. I’ve done it many times and will time and time again!
These are great frugal traveling tips. When we travel with our family, the first thing we do is get some easy snacks and water for our room. It would be pricey to eat at a restaurant every day. Thank you for sharing.
It is so much nicer to have something on hand as well in case you get caught needing a little something.
With Airbnb these days, going to paradise is much more affordable when it comes to looking for a place to stay. These are great tips! Love waiting for discounts in flights as well.
It is amazing the deals you can with air BnB isn’t it – I should really try and use it more.
These are truly handy tips for anyone traveling anywhere, I am off to Paris again so I will definitely be implementing some of these tips
Oh wow enjoy Paris again, I’m hoping to one day make it back as well – I do love Paris.
I would love to go on a train trip someday. I agree that staying with friends is the best way to stay!
I hope you manage to make it on a train trip one day – they really seem like an amazing and relaxing most of the time way to travel.
I love your tips. I never knew about websites raising prices as you continue to click on their pages. I would totally splurge on eating out though 🙂
It is crazy isn’t it – definitely using an incognito browser when booking is a must.
I recently returned from a two-week trip to my favorite island. I love that everything is in walking distance and I save money by not having to rent a car or use a taxi service. Great tips!
Oh wow I bet that was absolutely fantastic, where is your favourite island?
We have started using B&B which are great and work out better over a hotel. This way we can cook if we want or go out and enjoy local restaurants.
I like how cosy a B&B can be to be honest, it can be so much more homely in some ways.
These are all great tips. We always travel as a family of 6 so it gets very expensive. Thankfully we have a timeshare we can use and we grocery shop while on vacation and cook in our room.
Oh gosh yeah, I bet that can get expensive, I’ve known people order their food online like they would at home and had it delivered which I think is such a neat idea.
We always do budget friendly vacations and of us that is vacationing at a place that has a kitchen where we can make out own meals! We also vacation with another family and we split the cost of everything. It cuts the vacation in half! I love the suggestions you have here too. I am going to do a few of these myself.
Oh wow that is such a great idea to holiday with an another family to split the cost, I bet it is great fun as well being able to do that.
I did not know that trains were statistically the safest mode of transportation. It would be fun to take a train adventure on vacation! So many good tips for saving on the vacay! Now all we need to do is plan one and I am ready!
My parents do train holidays a lot they have visited some amazing places around Europe with doing it.