Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and our handy hints for making travel more affordable. The jet-set lifestyle is full of adventures and unknowns. It’s a wonderful feeling to set off and experience new countries and see the world, but it’s not always great for your finances. If your dreams of travel are more than what you can afford, there are some ways to cut the costs and make your money go further.
Stretch your budget with these handy hints for making travel more affordable.
Hints for making travel more affordable
Be flexible
If you can be flexible with your travel options, you’re in a better position to be able to save money. Different destinations have different peak and off-peak seasons, and if you’re not fussed about when you travel, you could find yourself enjoying much cheaper travel to a fantastic destination. If you sign up to some travel deal websites, you’ll be able to hear about the latest deals and jump at them.
Have a look here for some suggested places to visit on a budget.
Work out a budget in advance
Planning is essential for making travel more affordable. If you’re going to have a worry-free then budgeting for your travels is the way to go. The things you’ll want to think about include paying for travel, accommodation, eating and drinking, entertainment, sightseeing and money for emergencies. It’s always better to overestimate how much money you need, giving you the option to treat yourself if you manage to stick within your original budget.
Get flight savvy
Flights can be one of the most expensive elements of booking your travel, but if you play your cards right, then you could enjoy some cheaper flights. Some top tips for cheap flights include using the right search tools, taking advantage of sales and keeping an eye out for last-minute deals. If you don’t mind a longer flight time, you could even find that flights with longer stopovers or multiple stops to keep the costs down.
Don’t automatically assume that the cheap flights are only with budget airlines. More luxury airlines also offer affordable flights, especially if you know when to get the early bird deals. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to bag yourself an upgrade on your next flight and enjoy that VIP treatment for less.
Become a good packer
Being able to pack well is somewhat of an art. If you are able to pack effectively, you could save money on luggage charges, as well as reducing your need to buy essentials while you’re away. A travel organisation system can be a big space-saver for your luggage, helping you to pack everything you need without having to pack the kitchen sink too!
Pack enough clothes for what you need and avoid the temptation to pack too much. You can always use local laundrettes during your stay to refresh your clothes and help you get more wear out of them.
Make sensible accommodation choices for making travel more affordable
Your accommodation is another element that can eat into your travel budget, but the good news is that you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to options. While you could keep an eye out for low-cost hotels, there are some other ways of selecting affordable accommodation. Hostels are a popular choice, while also giving you a chance to meet some new people. Meanwhile, Airbnb is another great option to give you some home comforts and the chance to cook your own meals and save money.
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If longer-term travel is on the cards, you could look at other accommodation options. Condos and apartments are great for making the most of Asia, and if you look at the Sunshine Plaza details you’ll see that there are some affordable options out there. Accommodation is one of the areas you can make more flexible for your travels, so try different options to help you manage your costs.
Discover hidden food gems
Who doesn’t love discovering new foods and sampling local cuisine when you’re overseas? Eating out is one of the most enjoyable parts of travelling, but it can soon add up!
Finding some of the best eats when travelling requires some careful research, as well as asking for local recommendations. It’s fun to wander the streets and take a chance on a cafe or a restaurant, while street food can be another affordable option.
You could save money by having a big breakfast, which is usually the cheapest meal to eat out, having a snack at lunchtime and then saving yourself for dinner. Staying in self-catering accommodation means you can prepare some of your own meals, which can bring your overall food spend down.
Become your own guide
Booking guided tours and excursions are useful ways to explore different areas, learn histories and discover the sights. However, these types of activities can be expensive, especially in popular tourist destinations. Thanks to modern technology, however, you can become your own tour guide. Travel podcasts are becoming more and more popular, allowing you to explore different places with nothing more than your phone and some earphones. Save your money for the bigger tours and for excursions that might cost a little more.
Earn money while travelling
People travel in different ways, and there is an increasing number of people who combine work and travel to be able to enjoy the best of both worlds. If you work in a freelance role or can secure remote work, there are many opportunities out there to earn while travelling.
Many people who work while travelling call themselves ‘digital nomads’. They work in all sorts of areas and are able to work while travelling to enjoy a different kind of lifestyle without having to choose between work and career. Some top digital nomad jobs include web development, content marketing, blogging and copywriting, which are jobs that can essentially be done anywhere where there is internet access. If you’re serious about travelling long-term, this could be the best option for you.
Enjoy doing nothing
You can enjoy all sorts of activities when travelling, but one of the best things about travelling is having the opportunity to relax. You don’t have to cram activities and excursions into every day – it’s good to enjoy some time doing nothing too. Taking the time to relax will help you to de-stress and keep your mental health in check – how often do you get to do that at home?
The art of relaxing lies in finding something you enjoy that makes you feel calm. Whether you choose to sit by a pool reading a book or soaking up the sun on a beach, there are plenty of ways you can spend your days without spending a penny.
Make some friends
You’ll meet some fascinating people when travelling, many of whom could become some of your best friends. It’s good to meet people while travelling, especially if you’re travelling solo, to help combat loneliness and help you make the most of your adventures.
Making friends when travelling can help you share costs when it comes to transport, food and accommodation, and can help give you more to do too. Spending the day hanging out instead of paying for sightseeing tours can be a fun way to discover an area, helping to cut your costs and form new friendships.
Helping your money go further when travelling is down to how you manage your money. You can choose to enjoy more luxurious travel, or you can tighten your belt and focus more on the experience over creature comforts. Budgeting before you leave will help you stand the best chance of enjoying your time and not having to worry about money. Make your travels more affordable and get ready for the time of your life!
These were all helpful tips. I also think to is to earn airline miles through credit cards, my hubby and I earn miles while using our credit card and we usually fly to Hawaii for free. Loved the post 🙂
Glad you liked the post, Maria! Earning airline miles from using your credit card is a great tip! 🙂
working out the budget in advance is the key. I also try to meet local people always, so they can show me non-touristic places where prices are usually much better.
https://yukovablog.co.uk/
That’s a great tip Yuliya! Thank you for sharing xo
Such good tips and I appreciate the polite nudge into being a better packer, lol. I AM THE WORST! Hope you’re having a great week:)
Laura
Black Coffee Beautiful
Thank you Laura! I used to be the world’s worst packer but I’ve really been working on it 🙂
Gosh, these are such lovely tips!!
Deepti
Glad you think so xo
Such great tips!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Thank you Samantha x
This is perfect! This way you can travel to more than one places a year.
http://www.fashionradi.com
Yes, exactly! And I love to travel as often as I can 🙂
We’ve been staying in Airbnb’s more and more because they are more affordable than hotels. Plus you can have your breakfast and snacks there and save a little on eating out. I need to get better at finding cheaper airfare! Thank you for sharing these helpful tips!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Glad you found the tips helpful Jill, and I agree about Airbnb – it’s more relaxing being in a ‘home’ x
Beautiful tips and amazing photos! Very interesting post, dear!
http://www.recklessdiary.ru
Glad you enjoyed it Anya xo
Thank you for sharing all these tips! I rarely travel these days, not for longer periods of time, it’s usually short trips.
Thank you Lorna! Short trips are great too xoxo
this is a great guide! i’ll save it for my future travel! really interesting.
Cate // 35mminstyle
Glad you like it Cate x
This is so helpful and wonderful for this time of year 🙂
http://www.bauchlefashion.com
Glad you liked it Heather x
Such great tips if you’re planning on booking a trip sometime soon. It’s fab that there are so many good apps to help you save money when booking now xx
Gemma • GemmaEtc.com ❤️
Totally agree about the apps Gemma! xo
These are really great, practical tips! So smart.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thank you Amy Ann! I’m glad you think so x
These are such great travel tips- and they make me want to book a flight somewhere STAT!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thank you Ashley! Did you book a flight anywhere? xo
Thanks for the tips!
Have a great week.
Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Thank you Gemma! Have a great week too x
Thanks a lot for sharing your fantastic tips!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
Glad you liked them Rena x
Oh so many great tips! Definitely being flexible and also don’t travel during peak times is one of the best tips I can also think of 🙂
…and would love to be a digital nomad , at least for some time.. 😉
♥
xxx
Tina
https://styleappetite.com
Yes, a digital nomad sounds great! Thanks for the tip about avoiding travel during peak times – such good advice! xx
These are for sure amazing tips!! I definitely have been following some of these!
Glad to hear that Rach xo
My fave are packing well and discovering hidden gems. When spending money on travel, might as well spend time on research and discover those hidden gems (places & food).
Happy new week! Xo
Totally agree, Nicole! It is definitely worth doing some research before you go to make sure you get the best from your trip xo
These are such great tips! Thanks for sharing, love!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Thank you Vanessa! I’m so glad you found them helpful xoxo
great tips! fun post!
kelseybang.com
4allthingsdisney.com
Thank you x
Finding more affordable flights is something I need to work on. We’ve been better about relaxing more on vacation instead of cramming everything in that we can.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Yes, relaxation is good too! I like to do a ‘split’ vacation if I can, with a few days sightseeing and a few days just “relaxing’ xo
These are great tips for making travel more affordable. I think it’s great when we can be our own travel guide because that gives us more freedom. Being flexible with travel options and accommodation is important too.
https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/
Thank you Ivana! I’m glad you found the tips useful and I totally agree that being flexible can lead to great savings xo
Thanks for these wonderful tips hun!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Glad you found them helpful Lovely xoxo
Sometimes I think just walking around new places can be as fun as tours!! It’s a great way to see the area on a budget!!
Great read,
OXOX
Jodie
Glad you enjoyed it Jodie xoxo
Such great tips! Thanks for sharing!
xx- Nina
Glad you liked the post Nina xx
I need to work on this. I don’t travel often because of the expense. I’ll definitely keep these tips in mind!
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
Glad you liked the post Jessica! I love travel so am always looking out for affordable deals! xo
These are wonderful tips Julia! I am a big fan of packing cubes. Now if I can get my husband to want to do nothing on these trips, that would be amazing. Lol! Great post!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you Kathrine! I’m glad you liked it xo
These are all great tips and some that I personally use. My husband and I got credit cards with airlines so that we can get a points through there. We definitely plan well in advance so we can budget our funds properly.
-Robin
Thank you Robin! Glad you liked the tips and collecting points with airlines is a great way to save money on future flights x