How to avoid unnecessarily expensive holidays? Travelling costs money, but you don't want the costs to spiral out of control. We provide our top tips on how to save for a trip and how to travel cost-effectively.
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How many Swedes borrow for their holidays?
Almost one in five Swedes borrow for their holidays, according to a article in Svenska Dagbladet. But borrowing for travelling can become a debt trap! We give you our top tips on how to save for your holiday instead, and how to go on a trip you can actually afford. If the unexpected happens and you still need to borrow, it's important to compare different loan offers.
How to save money for your trip
Travelling often requires saving money, but that can be easier said than done. Here are our four top tips on how to save money for your dream trip.
- Prioritising - To gain one thing, you may have to give up something else. Think about whether there is something in your life you can prioritise! The car? The boat? The holiday home? The extra TV channels?
- Reduce your expenses - Review your fixed monthly expenses and see if there is any way to reduce them. Can you get a better deal on internet or reduce costs by switching insurance companies? Can you bring a packed lunch to work instead of eating in a restaurant?
- Increase your income - Is it possible to change jobs to get a higher salary? Can you rent out your home while travelling? Do you have items in storage that you can sell?
- Save in a travel account - When you finally have some money to put away, it's ideal to have a separate travel account for this, so you're not tempted to use the money for anything else.
How to travel more cost-effectively
Of course, once you've saved and are travelling, it's important to spend your money wisely and travel "cost-effectively". Here are four tips for travelling without spending too much money.
- Travelling in low season - Travelling during holidays and weekends is always more expensive. Exactly all is more expensive in the high season, so if you are able to travel in the low season, you get cheaper travel, cheaper accommodation and cheaper excursions.
- Choose affordable destinations - If you choose a destination with low prices, you'll get much more for your money. For example, you can find affordable (and exciting!) destinations in Eastern Europe and Asia.
- Live cheaply - Do you think that travelling must always involve hotel accommodation? Think again! Booking a bed & breakfast, a private room or a cabin in a campsite can be just as cosy and exciting. Or why not try swapping accommodation with someone in another country?
- Live cheaply - Strolling through cities, hanging out on beaches or enjoying nature doesn't have to be expensive. Make sure you pack a packed lunch or cook in that holiday cottage you've rented - that way you don't have to pay for it.
If something happens while travelling
No matter how well you prepare, you can never predict everything that might happen while travelling, which is why insurance is always important. In most cases, your home insurance will cover you, but if you are going away for more than 45 days, or if you are planning adventurous activities, you may need additional travel insurance. If you're not sure what applies, check with your insurance company before you leave!
If an emergency situation arises, such as a robbery or an accident, you may need to, in the worst case scenario. borrow money while waiting to settle with the insurance company. In such a situation, it can be a good idea to compare loan offers from different finance companies, which you can do at finbino.
It was a close call last summer
When we arrived in Tallinn last summer, travelling around Estonia by motorhome for three weeks, we started with a nice day in the capital. We had a beer at an outdoor restaurant and then strolled around for a few hours, before grabbing a pizza at another outdoor restaurant. Only when we left did we realise... Where is Peter's backpack?
We didn't want to leave valuables in the motorhome, so Peter had brought all in his backpack: laptop, film camera, drone and more. Then he accidentally left the entire backpack on the first outdoor terrace for several hours. I swear our hearts were in our mouths before we got there!
We had fantastic tripand the rucksack was still there. What if it didn't? Ugh, I don't even want to think about it, but we really had to solve the situation. We were supposed to take photos and film for three weeks for various reports we had promised to do, so we needed our equipment.
What are your best tips for avoiding unnecessary costs when travelling? Have you ever been in a crisis situation and how was it resolved?
You might also like:
Emergency help with money when travelling abroad - what to do?
Traveller safety - 10 things to consider
Save thousands when travelling abroad next time.
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Emma, sun like sun? says:
Oh hu with the backpack. Travel-Anna lost hers so she knows how hard it is and then she was still in Sweden!
No, I don't really have any good tips, we rarely travel. But usually they say that a street away from the tourist route you get better food at half the price. This applies to most things, not just restaurants. The same phenomenon when you have to refuel the car actually, the petrol stations around the major roads often have a much higher price than if you get off in some town.
15 January 2020 - 8:29
Helena says:
Yes, I was with Anna when she lost her backpack. How awful! And we even sat next to her ... And yes, you are of course absolutely right about the prices! Tourist prices are often overpriced ...
15 January 2020 - 17:13
Ditte says:
Hilma's turn here with Peter's rucksack. You never know when you might have an accident or lose your things. Easily done.
I think it is important to invest in really good travel insurance, in addition to the ones you have on your cards. We always have a good and extra complement of travel insurance via our tenant-owner insurance. Here you can also get financial help directly if an accident somehow occurs. (Depending on the company and type of insurance) The prices of insurance can differ a lot and it is important to carefully read the terms and conditions with deductibles and what exactly is included. Many people take the cheapest option, which can be expensive in the long run.
(I also read that many Swedes borrow for travel or buy holidays on credit. Something I would never do and which does not directly reduce costs).
15 January 2020 - 10:11
Helena says:
Good that you have thought about insurance! Important of course, but you never know when an accident will happen. And of course it is not only the price that is important, but also what you get out of the insurance. Absolutely true!
15 January 2020 - 17:15
Lisa says:
If you want to rent a cottage or similar, it's a good idea to get there early.
If you wait too long, only the expensive or very bad ones remain. Planning in general usually pays off.
15 January 2020 - 11:16
Helena says:
Great tip about being out in good time! 🙂
15 January 2020 - 17:15
Matts Torebring says:
We try to be cost-effective, but treat ourselves to what we want. On our 18-19 summer tours in southern Europe, we have usually stayed at the more expensive luxury campsites, but with Acci cards at pre-season prices. On the Finland/Northern Sweden trip last summer, the average price was less than SEK 100 per night. Then we free-camped many nights.
15 January 2020 - 18:28
Helena says:
It is quite right to treat yourself to what you prioritise and value, at least when you can afford it!
17 January 2020 - 16:35
BP says:
I would honestly never take out a loan for a holiday. I'd rather stay at home. We have always had a holiday account that we have paid off over the years. When I was robbed of my wallet in Spain in 2014, I blocked the card first before calling the police. For the rest of the holiday, we used my husband's card.
Through IF, VISA and SEB I was reimbursed for EVERYTHING including the cost of a new driving licence and the cash that was stolen. The only thing I had to pay was the deductible of SEK 1,200. So yes, a good insurance is A&O.
PS. Remember the binder with Peter's forgotten rucksack. How fortunate that it was still there. Nice to see that there are actually honest people... DS.
15 January 2020 - 18:47
Helena says:
It's good that you had more than one card so it worked out, and I'm glad you got compensation! Yes, good insurance is important!
17 January 2020 - 16:36
Elisabeth says:
Depends on how luxurious you want it. We often cook for ourselves and fricampar and can then treat ourselves a little extra on other occasions.
15 January 2020 - 20:25
Helena says:
Yes, of course. You have to prioritise based on what you value, and based on the resources you have.
17 January 2020 - 16:36
Deciree says:
We take absolutely no loans to go on holiday...if we do not have money then it will be until we have 🙂 We have been through that with the backpack a few years ago. We took a last minute trip to Prague and Kjell carried the backpack at the airport... we were in the pharmacy where he then forgot the backpack on the floor.... lucky that we found out quite quickly before the alarm about any bomb would go out in the speakers!!...because there was a lonely backpack left 😉 We were also lucky that it was still there and everything was still inside such as passport, plate, money, tickets etc. Pust... sometimes you are lucky 🙂 Hugs
16 January 2020 - 9:33
Helena says:
Puh, so nice that the backpack was still there!!!! It is terrible to get rid of when you have a passport and all the valuables there ...!
17 January 2020 - 16:37
Lena - good for the soul says:
Yes, I remember that story with the backpack when you told me about it. What a thrill!
Hug Lena
18 January 2020 - 10:33