Travelling around the world doesn’t have to cost you a small fortune. Not if you know how to budget! In this article we have compiled our best tips to help you plan an amazing holiday on a budget. Read on to learn how to explore the world without breaking the bank!
1.Plan Your Getaway in Advance
As nice as it is to book a spontaneous holiday, unless you have the luxury of spare time and money, it’s hardly achievable. If you have a budget to stick to, the first thing to do is come up with a plan for your holiday.
That doesn’t have to be a tight hour-by-hour schedule. Have an idea of how long you’re going away for, which cities and countries are you visiting, how long are you spending in each place.
Planning everything in advance means less unexpected costs as last-minute flights and accommodation are often much more expensive.
2.Travel During Off-Peak Season
If you’re looking to save money on your holiday, avoid travelling during peak times. This includes school holidays. This is the time when travel companies hike the prices to take advantage of families that don’t have the flexibility to travel during other times of the year.
A good strategy is to research the best time to visit your planned destination and then book your holiday a bit before or after these dates. This is what the industry refers to as ‘shoulder season’. This means that you’ll still have an enjoyable trip but maybe the weather won’t be as fantastic. During this time airlines and hotels also usually lower their prices to attract more tourists.
3.Be Savvy With Your Accommodation
If you’re travelling on your own, opt for hostels or shared dorm rooms instead of luxurious hotels. You’ll be out and about for most of the day anyway and it can help you save a lot of money. Sharing a room splits the full cost and it also offers you an opportunity to meet people who might also be travelling on their own and would be happy to explore with you.
Airbnb is another great alternative. You can book a spare room in a local person’s home or book a small flat by yourself for a fraction of the price of a hotel. As well as that you’ll get the authentic experience of what it’s like living in the city you’re visiting.
If it’s an option you could also stay with family or friends. Reach out to people you know or plan a trip to where an old school friend or long-lost cousin lives. This could give you an opportunity to visit places you wouldn’t have thought of.
4.Discover New Places in Your Country
We all love going abroad and seeing new countries, but before you venture to Zimbabwe or Taiwan ask yourself, have you really seen everything your own country has to offer? Planning a trip in your county will help you save money on travel while still giving you the opportunity to visit a new place.
The UK has some fantastic places to visit. From the Lake District to Cornwall, you can plan a great road trip around the country and discover some of the landmarks you haven’t visited before. Along with saving money, the other great benefits of not travelling abroad is less stress and a reduced carbon footprint.
5.Book Flights Early If Travelling by Plane
If you do decide to have a holiday abroad and are planning to travel by plane, make sure you book your tickets as early as possible. Book your return flight at the same time as your flight there. Otherwise you’re running the risk of running out of money or there not being any seats left on the flight you’re planning to take.
Nothing can ruin a holiday like getting stuck in a different country with no means of returning home, so one of the first things to book when planning a holiday is your flights. Also keep in mind that the closer it gets to your planned departure date, the more prices will increase.
The best time to buy plane tickets is at least two months before you travel. And the best time of the week to travel, according to experts, is midweek, particularly Tuesdays.
6.Don’t Overspend on Food
One of the things people tend to spend the most money on is food. It might be tempting to eat out and go to coffeeshops all the time while on holiday, however, if you have to stick to a budget it might be better to not eat away all your money.
Try getting cheap lunches from supermarkets or street food vendors. Or if there’s a kitchenette in the place where you’re staying you can get some ingredients and pack a lunch yourself.
Aim to wander around before deciding on a restaurant to eat dinner as well. If you just settle for the first place you see, you won’t know if you’re overspending. And there might be much better local restaurants where you can get an authentic experience for a lower price.
7.Take Advantage of Free City Tours
A lot of cities offer free walking tours where you only pay a small tip to the guide. Most of the people doing those tours make a living out of this so make sure you give them a tip, as nothing is ever truly free.
Walking tours are a great way to visit all the famous attractions, discover some hidden gems and meet other people who are travelling on their own.
If there aren’t any tours in the city you’re visiting, plan one yourself. Research all the memorials and places that are worth a visit and map out a route yourself.
8.Earn or Save While You Travel
Combining work with holiday is a great way to escape for a few weeks or months and live the dream life in another country. There are seasonal jobs you can do such as teach skiing, take care of children as an au pair, or teach English in a different country.
If your work industry allows it you could also work from home and freelance while travelling. The opportunities are truly endless.
