22 Things Every Budget Traveller Must Do (2024)

22 Things Every Budget Traveller Must Do (1)

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1. Be flexible with your dates.

22 Things Every Budget Traveller Must Do (2)

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Use the calendar function in Google's flight search to compare the prices on your intended dates of travel with other days in the same time frame. The site will highlight in green the best prices on the calendar so that you can get get a good deal if your schedule permits.

2. Book tickets for off-peak days and times.

22 Things Every Budget Traveller Must Do (3)

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Flights that depart after 9pm and arrive very early in the morning are often offered at lower prices than other times. Red-eyes are hard to find on some airline websites, so you might need to ring the airline or a travel agent to request red-eye prices.

Booking a flight out on Tuesday or Wednesday usually allows for the cheapest seats, but if you must fly out at the weekend, Saturday is the best choice.

3. Get the most for your money by checking out a seating plan.

Before you purchase your seats, check your flight on Seatguru to make sure you're getting a pleasant experience for your money, or to know which seats might be cheapest based on their comfort.

4. Look at return prices even if you're flying one-way.

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If you're moving or on a multiple stop journey, you'll notice that one-way tickets can be insanely expensive. Try searching the same flight, with a return, and you're likely to find a better deal. Do check your chosen airline's stance on "throwaway ticketing" before purchasing a return flight you won't use, however, since it's prohibited in some cases.

5. Embrace the layover.

6. Don't decide your destination in advance.

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If you want a cheap holiday, choose by price instead of location. Airlines, train lines, and hotels offer different deals for different locations throughout the year, and you might find an unexpected getaway for a fabulous price by being open minded and finding your holiday based on your budget.

7. Use a travel agent.

Sometimes passing up an app or site to deal with someone directly can help you go farther and spend less. Visit an office such as Flight Centre or STA travel in person to talk through your travel needs with an actual human and discuss the best options for your budget and plans. This little known trick can save you hundreds, so think before you hit up Expedia.

8. Know your discount status.

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Students, military members, and bank customers can potentially receive heavy discounts on some flights. If you're not sure, or think there might be a applicable discount for your situation, don't be afraid to phone the airline and ask. Be sure to check if these discounts apply at attractions once you've arrived at your destination, too.

9. Buy train tickets in advance.

22 Things Every Budget Traveller Must Do (10)

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If you don't absolutely require the flexibility an Anytime single to allow you to travel on any service at any time, committing to a journey through Advance fare can often save upwards of £100. Also consider railcards before buying any single tickets if you'll be travelling by train often. Check out more trips for train travel here.

10. Shop steathily.

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If you're searching for the same site regularly, some ticketing sites may raise prices based on your apparent demand by accessing your cookies. Avoid giving this information away and being overcharged by clearing your cookies, or searching through an incognito window on Google Chrome.

11. Follow air and train lines, destinations, and travel sites online.

Save up to £200* off twice the amount of #easyJetholidays departing in the next 6 weeks. Ends midnight *T&Cs https://t.co/2dqlhpPZYp

12. Use helpful websites.

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Consult a range of sources and know all your options for your trip before you pay for anything - compare prices, prioritise experiences, and consider new ways to travel that could save you money. Check out these these helpful resources for making the most of your travel experience without breaking the bank.

13. Search fares directly from the airline.

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If you use a third-party booking source like Kayak or Expedia, be sure to check the price at the airline's website to make sure you're getting the deal you think you are. In some cases, booking fees from third party sites, or special deals from the airline may change the affect the final cost in an unexpected way.

14. Check your destination airport's website.

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If you're not convinced you've found the best price available, have a look at your destination airport's website to see all of the airlines that fly in, to give you wider range of options to search for. Budget airlines are not always in regular search results, so it's good to know what to search for directly, and what cheap lines can actually get you where you're meant to go.

15. Use discount keywords in your search.

22 Things Every Budget Traveller Must Do (15)

google.co.uk

Something as simple as Googling through key search terms can help you stumble on deals and shortcuts you wouldn't have otherwise found. Do an exhaustive search pairing your destination, airline, and third party booker with keywords like 'discount' 'voucher code' 'promo', or 'coupon', to see iof what comes up might be useful.

16. Look for alternative accommodations.

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If you want to save money during your trip, don't book a hotel. Instead consider any number of alternatives, from AirBnb to couch surfing to camping. Renting directly from the owner of a home or opting for a hostel instead of a hotel could save hundreds of pounds in the long run, and enrich your journey by giving you a less isolated experience.

17. Look out for museum and attraction free days.

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Keep tabs on hot attractions in your destination city to know when their will be price offers that will save you money, many major museums like the Louvre offer monthly free days, as well as other discounts. Also research what attractions are regularly free so that you can fill up your itinerary with cost-effective outings.

18. Save data without getting lost.

Save maps for offline use with this handy hack for the Google Maps app:

-Search the area you want to save and zoom in

-In the search bar, type 'ok maps' and hit search.

-Save and name the map

-Access the map even when you have no signal by opening up the 'My Places' tab in the app

Note that this only works for area maps, you can't save directions this way.

19. Use public transport.

20. Or city bikes.

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Many cities across Europe, including Berlin, Paris, and Copenhagen offer a bike sharing system that's insanely affordable and allows you to pedal your way through the city.

21. Or just walk.

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Get to your next location for free using your own feet. For bonus points (and to save on expensive tours), download the City Maps and Walks app to get routes and learn about the area as you go.

22. Don't replace a forgotten charger.

22 Things Every Budget Traveller Must Do (20)

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If you forgot to pack your charger and are staying a hotel, ask the front desk if they have any spares. Often, hotels keep a stash of left behind chargers from former guests, and you can avoid the unforeseen expense.

22 Things Every Budget Traveller Must Do (2024)

FAQs

How much money do I need to travel around the world? ›

Many people have done it and written about it. Or, you could spend more for luxury, traveling for $50,000 to $60,000 or more per person. The bottom line is that if you are a solo traveler, you should be able to travel the world for $25,000 for one year (that's just over $2,000 per month, $66 per day)!!

What should my travel budget be? ›

Miller recommends using the 70/20/10 breakdown. This means 70 percent of your income should go toward household expenses, including debt. Twenty percent should be put into savings, including retirement. That leaves 10 percent of your income for wants, including travel, or for additional savings.

How much does it cost for a couple to travel the world for a year? ›

RECAP: What is the total cost for a couple to travel the world? Based on our experience, the total cost for a couple to travel the world for a year is around $50,000, give or take $5,000. You can use this number as a baseline budget to help you plan your trip.

Is there a budget travel magazine? ›

Established in 1998 as America's favorite Go-To travel magazine, Budget Travel inspires and empowers millions of Americans to become savvy travelers and see more for less.

Is $100 a day enough for Europe? ›

While it's possible to travel on $100 per day in Europe, it can be challenging, especially in larger cities or during peak seasons. This budget would require staying in hostels or low-cost Airbnb accommodations, relying heavily on public transportation, and eating inexpensive meals.

What is the cheapest country to visit? ›

Leading the list as the cheapest place to travel right now is Hoi An, Vietnam. According to the Post Office report, a total estimated cost of just $64.51 a day for the travel essentials makes this charming gem the ultimate bang-for-your-buck destination that won't break the bank.

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50/30/20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should be split between savings and debt repayment (20%) and everything else that you might want (30%).

What is the 50 30 20 budget rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

How much does the average American travel? ›

With the average American adult traveling an average of 41 miles a day in 2023, that's a lot of time on the move. And with 98% of miles traveled across the country traveled in an automobile, that's a lot of driving, a lot of gas money, and a lot of CO2 emissions.

Is $20000 enough to travel the world? ›

Let's say you're looking into traveling around the world for a year, and you want to start your adventure a year from today. Just take that $20,000 and divide it by 12 months to set your monthly savings goal. You'll need to save a bit more than $1,600 each month to make that happen.

How much cash should I bring to Europe for 2 weeks? ›

A good rule of thumb is to carry $50-$100 a day in the local currency while travelling. Remember, though, that cash may not be the best option to pay for travel expenses. Credit cards offer great rewards, lower transaction fees, and can help you get a better exchange rate.

How much money do you need to travel to Europe? ›

How much does a European vacation cost?
ExpenseEstimated cost
Airfare$500 to $1,500 for economy $2,500 to $25,000 for first class
Accommodation$15 to $50 per night for a hotel $150+ per night for a mid-range hotel $300+ per night for a luxury hotel
4 more rows

Who owns Budget Travel? ›

Budget Travel is part of the Club Travel Network, Ireland's largest travel agency, and was acquired in February 2010. It is Government Licensed & Bonded by the Irish Commission for Aviation (aviationreg.ie) Licence No: TA054 so all your holiday money is fully protected.

Who started budget travel? ›

Ms Bowler, who became one of Ireland's best-known business figures, was a pioneer in the Irish travel trade. After coming to Dublin from London in the early 1970s, she founded Budget Travel from a basem*nt in Baggot Street in 1975.

How do I budget for travel every year? ›

7 Simple Steps To Create A Realistic Travel Budget
  1. Think of where you'll be staying. The next big chunk of your travel expense will be your accommodation. ...
  2. Think of how you'll be moving around. ...
  3. Think of what you'll be doing. ...
  4. Think of what you'll be buying. ...
  5. Think of emergencies.

Is 100k enough to travel around the world? ›

Cynthia Matthews von Berg, founder of the travel blog Sharing the Wander who is currently traveling the world, recommends saving $100,000 to travel the year as a family of four. “This should be more than you need if you are careful, but it allows you a cushion,” she said.

Why can you only travel with $10,000 dollars? ›

While it's technically legal to travel domestically with this kind of money, it can arouse suspicion from law enforcement. And to reiterate, if law enforcement suspects your money is tied to illegal activity, they can seize it.

How much money do you need to travel year round? ›

Several popular travel blogs, such as A Little Adrift, Never Ending Footsteps, and Earth Trekkers, all agree that a baseline of $20,000 per person for one year is doable. This averages out to just over $50 per day. Here's how you can figure out your magic number.

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