How to travel on a budget? Travelling always involves costs, but it can be possible to travel much more cheaply than you might imagine. We share our top tips with you.
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Travelling on a small budget
We travel a lot, and have done so for the last 10-15 years. We often travel with our motorhome, which allows us to have cheap accommodation and everyday food costs. But we also travel in other ways, such as by air, to destinations both near and far. Over time, we've developed different strategies for travelling on a budget, which we share here.
1. Travelling in the low season
Of course, you won't always be able to choose to travel in the low season - holidays and school breaks can make a difference - but if you can, it will have a big impact on the overall price of your trip. You'll be able to find cheaper airline tickets and, above all, most things will be much cheaper on the ground, from hotels and campsites to excursions and entrance fees.
2. Be flexible with departure date and time
When booking flights, being flexible with your departure date can make a big difference. Some days of the week, and some times, can be significantly cheaper than others. It pays to search carefully and test different times when booking. If you are flexible, and if you are also prepared to travel at more inconvenient times and with more inconvenient stopovers, you can save a lot.
Even when booking ferries, for example, it is worth checking prices on different days, as prices may differ between weekdays and weekends.
3. Be open to different ways of travelling
Flights and hotels are great, but there are also other ways to travel. Have you considered train travel, bus travel, backpacking, road trips, camping holidays or even cycling holidays?
4. Keep an eye out for offers
If you keep your eyes open, you can sometimes find great deals. These can include flight and hotel packages, but also, for example, affordable ferry crossings for you and your vehicle.
5. Choose destinations where you get value for money
Local price levels play a major role in determining your accommodation, dining and travel options. Here are some examples of destinations where you can get great value for money:
- Europe: Albania, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic, Latvia.
- Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia
- Africa: Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Gambia, Tanzania, South Africa
6. Travelling to nearby destinations
An alternative to choosing affordable destinations far away is to choose destinations that are close by. In this case, the price may not be low locally, but you can save money by travelling a cheaper route. Why not discover new places in Sweden? Other nearby destinations that are also reasonably priced locally include Poland, Germany and Estonia.
7. live cheaply
Accommodation is often one of the major expenses on a trip, but there are options to stay cheaper. You can book a budget hotel, hostel, bed & breakfast, private room, apartment or house/cottage. Camping can also be an option, and if you don't have your own camping vehicle, you can pitch a tent or rent a cabin.
Another option is to exchange houses/apartments with another family during your holiday. If you book accommodation with cooking facilities, you can also save on restaurant visits.
8. Sharing costs
Sometimes it can be cheaper to share costs with friends. For example, book an apartment, a cottage, a campsite or a house together and share the fee.
9. Use contacts
Do you have friends or relatives abroad or in another part of Sweden? Or maybe your friends have a cottage, or just time on holiday? One option could be to visit each other and do something fun together. Of course, it should be mutually beneficial and be as positive/fun/beneficial for your friends as it is for you.
10. Keep food costs down when travelling
Keeping food costs down when travelling can make a big difference to your wallet. Dining out is nice, but can sometimes be quite expensive. If you have accommodation that allows you to cook - such as a campervan, apartment or cabin on a campsite - you can save a lot of money.
Lunch can sometimes be solved with a simple picnic on the beach or in the park. Finally, it's a good idea to look for restaurants well in advance, before hunger strikes, to find affordable places to eat dinner.
11. Discover free entertainment
Many entertainment and experiences cost money, but not all. If you're visiting a city, you can take a walking tour on your own - guides are often available in the form of brochures or apps. Peeking into churches is usually (with a few exceptions) free, and many cities have free museums. There may also be nice parks to discover. Check out the city's tourist office and ask for tips.
If you're on a sun and swim holiday, it's worth looking for a part of the beach where you can lay your towel in the sand, without booking an expensive sunbed.
12. Don't skimp on important things
Travelling on a budget is about cutting back on unnecessary expenses, but there are also expenses that you shouldn't cut back on. Saving on the wrong things can lead to everything being more expensive in the end, or the trip ending badly in some other way. For example, it is important to have the right insurance when travelling. If you're travelling to an exotic destination, it may also be important to check what vaccinations you need.
More tips for travelling on a budget?
Do you have more tips for travelling on a budget? Share them in the comments section!
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Amanda (Swedish Passport) says:
Oh, really so many good tips! 🙂
07 January 2024 - 15:51
Lena - good for the soul says:
It can easily feel that you have to neglect things because you want to keep a low budget. That the whole trip feels like "budget" and just good enough and not what you really want. But many times you actually get a better trip, I think. Travelling in the low season and not being crowded is great. You get more of the destination because you can focus on sights instead of people who are "in the way". And choosing a destination where you get more for your money can actually mean that you get a more "luxurious" experience than another destination.
So, what great tips you offer!
Hug Lena
09 January 2024 - 7:37