How to travel on a budget

Traveling shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. And it certainly shouldn’t be something you avoid because of that.

Now that we’re getting back into our travel routines, more and more people are saving up for their dream destinations. But exploring the world shouldn’t cost you a fortune – or all of your savings. Here are a few tried and tested tips on how to travel without your bank account taking a big hit.

Plan ahead 🗓️

We’re all for spontaneous trips – they can be the most memorable ones! But they’re usually not the smartest choice when traveling on a budget. Set parameters and an initial budget for your trip early on by listing the following:

• Expected trip duration
• Intended destination(s)
• A rough estimate for daily spends
• Flights & accomodation
• Any particular activities you’re interested in

When you plan ahead of time, you automatically get cheaper deals for flights and accommodation. Don’t leave things till the last minute – it can double or even triple your spending!

Book your flights early ✈️

This goes without saying, but the earlier you book your flight, the cheaper it will be. And if possible, try to schedule your departure day on a Tuesday (usually cheaper than other days, for some reason). It’s also worth mentioning that lower cost airlines can definitely be an option for shorter flights, and will usually always have great deals. So do some research online and find the best flight, without compromising on safety or legitimacy of course.

Avoid high seasons 📈

Public holidays, summer months, or any time of year where your Instagram feed is filled with vacation reels. We know it’s tempting to travel during the summer months, but opting for spring, fall, or even winter can really help you with a more limited budget. It also means less crowds, shorter lines at tourist attractions, and all in all a more enjoyable trip! Do some research on the best months to visit your destination, and plan your trip just around these dates (aka shoulder season).

Do your research 🔍

Before planning your travel itinerary, do a bit of research on travel blogs. You’re guaranteed to get amazing cost-saving tips, hidden gems, or even free things to do in your intended destination. You can even search for low-cost itineraries for more relevant reads.

Embrace flexibility 🧘🏻‍♂️

If your purpose for traveling is a change of scenery & exploring new places and cultures, you might want to consider trading in hotels and resorts for motels or hostels. Shared accommodation is a great way to save on your trip and is also an excellent opportunity to meet new people. They might not be the most glamourous of stays, but they have character and will allow you to spend more on activities, restaurants, and transportation. If hostels aren’t really your thing, another option would be to rent out a room from an AirBnB listed apartment.

Prioritize public transportation 🚌

No matter where you travel, public transportation will be your cheapest way of getting around. Be it a bus, a train, or even renting a bike or a scooter. It’s also worth your while to choose a walking city to travel to, where you can do most of the exploring on foot. That way, you’ll hit two birds with one stone: save on transportation costs + stay in shape. And if you choose that route, you’ll want to check out our upcoming health insurance, that rewards you for exercising!

Keep track of your spending 💰

One way to stay on track budget-wise is to keep track of all your spends. This reduces the risk of undervaluing how much you’re actually spending. It can also be very tempting to spend left and right when on vacation, so keeping a sheet with your spends can help you gauge whether you have a lot more you can spend on, or if you should hold off a little bit.

And most importantly: Get travel insurance! 🛡️

Probably the most important tip we have for you. It might seem counter-intuitive (you know, an extra cost) but it will actually save you a-lot of money incase your trip gets cancelled, you lose your phone, need emergency medical assistance, etc. Even when planning a low budget trip, it’s always smart to plan for worst-case-scenarios. Luckily for you, we’ve gone through the trouble of planning for the worst, so you don’t have to. Check out our travel insurance – it’s so easy you can even get it while waiting at your gate.

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