10 tips for anyone who wants to travel cheaply

There are many services and platforms that help to plan a trip. But with all the possible conveniences, they do not solve the problem of lack of funds. And this is probably one of the key factors in planning a tour. We asked experienced travelers how to make the trip as profitable as possible.

Director of Bronevik.com department for work with hotels

Don’t forget about coupon services. You can often find a favorable discount in the “tours” or “travel” section.

Research the terms and conditions of your stay

In some hotels, staying in a room for one and for two people can cost the same and compare favorably with another object you like. As a rule, this approach applies if meals are not included in the price of accommodation. And here the choice is yours: to eat on site, in the hotel or somewhere outside it.

Pay attention to the rates

Marina: In the sales policy, many accommodation facilities apply special rates for accommodation, for example, depending on the duration of your stay.

One of the most popular offers for urban facilities and not only is the “three nights for the price of two” tariff. It is very often applied in the period from Friday to Monday. From the name it is clear that under such an offer with compliance with all booking conditions, the third night is a gift to the guest. Also often more attractive rates are offered for reservations of seven, 14 or more nights.

Book in advance

If you are considering the city segment of hotels, booking early can be more favorable than booking at the last minute. For example, if you have plans to, say, spend a weekend at a spa hotel, change things up and get away for a couple of days driving around nearby cities.

Choose your country carefully

Research places that allow you to travel comfortably on a tight budget. Those that are cheap and easy to get to, where the cost of living is lower.

Lilia Volis

creator and author of inshore fishing guides, writes and directs travel videos

For example, airfare to Thailand is expensive, but renting a house directly from locals is cheaper and the standard of accommodation will be of a higher quality than in Sri Lanka. If you are traveling with your family, traveling by your own car will be cheaper and more convenient. Plus it’s an opportunity to see different picturesque places and towns that you’d be unlikely to visit by train or shuttle bus.

Consider alternative accommodation options

Apartments with daily rentals are another option to save well, especially in season. Yes, there may not be hotel service, but there are many other advantages.

For example, a large area of apartments, location, the ability to cook something yourself, accommodate the whole family and at the same time pay much less than in a hotel. The level of apartments for short-term rent throughout Russia is getting better and better every year.

Ask for help from professionals

Marina: In the age of digital, many people prefer to organize their travel independently. But still in popular mass destinations, especially when it comes to long vacations, booking a tour will help to save money. Tour operators buy out the so-called “blocks” of places in hotels at wholesale prices, and the tour in season may be more profitable.

Buy travel insurance

Perhaps the most important tip for traveling on a tight budget. Sure, it’s an extra expense, but you’ll thank yourself for having travel insurance in case of trip cancellation or illness.

Travel in the off-season

Lily: The weather may not always be sunny, but your chosen destination will be much less busy and crowded. Not only will you save a lot of money, but you’ll have a quieter and more enjoyable vacation without the crowds of tourists. I had an absolutely amazing experience exploring Venice in October. The weather was warm, but the tourists were almost gone. I had the opportunity to sit on a half-empty promenade with a glass of spritz.

Buy a local SIM card

Lily: Roaming data or paying for Wi-Fi abroad is often ruinous. One way to save money while traveling is to buy a local SIM card. But be careful and buy only from official offices. Sellers often cheat by selling an overpriced smaller internet package. We had such a situation in Egypt, when we bought 5 GB for $ 30, which ran out the same day when using a simple messenger.

Plan excursions on your own

Use public transportation and buy your own entrance ticket (if necessary), rent an audio guide.

Sometimes a self-guided tour turns out to be more exciting than a two-hour personalized tour. But don’t forget that visiting such places should be planned in advance, sometimes a month in advance, as often everything is sold out online.