8 ways to make the most of your travel budget

Whatever your travel budget, you want to make the most of it.  I’ve got eight helpful budget travel tips that make travelling and exploring easier on the wallet, less stressful and more exciting.

Travelling can be expensive, there’s no bones about it.

But this doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot to have a great time. The secret to great travel is making the most of the budget that you have, and prioritising the experience that’ll make your trip more memorable and more enjoyable.

For me, being able to travel often is a balancing act. It’s about choosing options that don’t cost the earth and being willing to explore off the beaten track. Budget travel doesn’t mean going without. Rather it’s all about trying new things, thinking a little out of the box, being flexible, getting out of your comfort zone and living a little more like a local. Some of my favourite travel memories are discoveries we might have missed if we’d opted for a more conventional (and more expensive) option.

As it’s always better to share, here’s my favourite ways to make the most of travelling on a budget.

1. Be flexible with travel times

Think outside the box when it comes to choosing what time of year to travel.

My partner is a teacher, so we’re often limited to school holidays – which can be pricier, especially when it comes to getting away to the sun. Our solution? Make the most of less popular times of year. We love visiting northern Europe in the autumn half term, which usually falls at the end of October. Flights are cheaper, cities are less crowded and you can enjoy the stunning displays of copper-coloured foliage that this time of year brings.

Make the most of off-season prices in June and September. It’s the perfect time of year to explore southern Europe without the crowds. April and May are also fantastic for city breaks, as you can spend all day on your feet without sweltering or needing to pack thermals.

And lastly, don’t forget to book well in advance to make sure you get the best prices.

2. Choose to reuse

Something that I find can stack up pretty quick when you’re away? Spending on things I don’t actually want to be spending money on. Bottled water. Airport snacks. Carrier bags. More sunscreen than I could possibly need.

A few Euros here and there on every trip soon adds up.

I find it always pays to spend that little extra bit of time planning before you pack to make sure you’ve got everything you need. I always carry a water bottle with me, saving a small fortune in airports and on days out. Packing a comprehensive washbag (full of refills) and a small first kit saves expensive dashes to the pharmacy. And whilst only a few cents, a shopping bag is endlessly useful and saves buying new. For self-catering trips, taking a few essentials saves a lot of pennies and a lot of waste. I am human, and I do need to make last minute purchases from time-to-time, but that €10 here and there saved is much better spent on spritzes at sunset in my opinion.

It’s also an easy way to do your bit for the environment when you’re away from home.

If you’re worried about a water bottle claiming too much space in your luggage, I highly recommend Platypus collapsible bottles. Extremely durable, wildly practical, I never go anywhere without mine. 

3. Ah, the Easyjet cheap flight finder

Not limited exclusively to Easyjet: Most budget airlines have online tools to help you find their best value flights. If you know when you want to travel, use a cheap flight finder to pick your travel dates and set your departure airport – then let it suggest the best value for money flights available at that time.

It’s a novel way to solve the age-old problem of “Where should we go next?” and can throw up some suggestions you might never have otherwise thought of.

Find the Easyjet Low Fare Finder here, Ryanair route map here and Norwegian’s low fare calendar here.

4. Don’t pay for baggage (Unless you can help it)

Max out your hand luggage, and carry everything with you if you can.

You might surprise yourself with how much can be carried in your hand luggage allowance.  Just to be on the safe side, always check your allowance in advance so you’re not stuck with last minute charges at the airport. You might be surprised to find that careful packing means you can travel for a week or more with one bag. If you are able to wash and dry clothes where you will be staying, it’s very manageable to travel for a week or two with just a 40L bag.

If you need to take more, consider buddying up with your travel companions to share the allowance for checked in bags. Share a suitcase half and half (most airlines will allow you to carry up to 20kg in one bag) – it might be more than enough.

5. Plan your whole journey

I love an irresistibly cheap flight. But before you get over excited and grab your wallet, take a few minutes to plan your whole journey, including the cost of travel to the airport and parking if necessary.

It might cost more to fly from your local airport, but if you can get there by public transport, or get a lift (and offer lifts in return to your kindly lift-giver) you might find your travel costs far less overall.

The same applies when planning road trips too. Don’t forget to add the cost of fuel and any motorway tolls. Plus, if you’re taking your car abroad you may need to add European cover to your insurance and breakdown policies.

It’s worth consider alternative travel options – Eurostar, long-distance coaches, and road trips by boat or Eurotunnel can be amazingly good value. And slow travel can be a fantastic way to soak up the atmosphere and see more of the world as you travel along at ground level.

6. The best things in life are free

I know, it sounds cliché. But it’s so true. Exploring the streets of Paris? Free. Watching the sun set over the Mediterranean in Korcula? Free. Meandering around the canals of Bruges? Free. I could go on. Making the most of free experiences is key to budget travel success.

I love to walk and get a feel for a place more than checking into museums and attractions. But if that’s more your cup of tea than mine, it pays to do your research. The Prado in Madrid is free provided you arrive after 6pm, or 5pm Sunday (it’s a great way to spend an hour or two before seeking out drinks and tapas).  If you’re under 26 or a student (make sure you’ve got your student card with you) loads of galleries and museums offer discounted entry. I’d recommend checking prices and opening hours in advance to work out how to squeeze in a visit at the right time.

Always check with tourist boards, local Facebook groups and Instagram accounts and in local papers for free events taking place whilst you’re away. Some of my most memorable experiences in Europe have been taking part in, or spectating at, events I would never experience at home. From roadside supporting with locals at the Tour de France to Spanish stand-up comedy, Swiss national day parades to unlikely Slovenian gigs, never underestimate the joy that local events can bring.

7. Don’t dismiss hostels

The budget traveller’s friend. Hostels often can’t be beaten if you’re looking for a bed for a bargain price. But it’s an easily dismissed option if you don’t fancy sharing a dorm.

I urge you to let go of any preconceptions. Hostelling may well be different from what you imagine. 

Some of the larger hostel chains offer some really high-quality accommodation in unbeatable locations. Many hostels provide larger private rooms that are ideal if you’re travelling with a group of friends and private, ensuite double rooms that are great for couples. I like the laid back atmosphere, the friendly staff and no-fuss approach that feels perfect for shorter trips.

My favourites? Generator in Paris can’t be beaten for quality, no-frills accommodation in a city where the hotel market is decidedly dicey. And for tapas lovers, the Oasis Hostal Toledo, Spain, has a secret roof terrace with stunning views and beautiful rooms with French windows opening onto the cobbled street outside.

8. Branch out for breakfast

If you’re booking hotels through a comparison site, like booking.com, chances are you’ll be able to choose whether or not to include breakfast in your booking.

Now, if you can manage three plates of food before 9am, book the breakfast! Fill yourself up and save on snacks later. My personal record: four full plates in the Comfort Hotel Malmö, a stunning hotel in Sweden’s glorious third city, that included hot options and fresh waffles.

But, if you’re in southern Europe, think twice before clicking ‘add’. For the 5 or 10 Euro it’ll cost for a hotel buffet, you could enjoy a coffee sitting on a sun-drenched cafe terrace watching the local market set up. Then follow it with an irresistible buttery pastry from the bakery down the road. It’ll probably cost you less too.

If you’re visiting central and eastern Europe, you’ll find supermarkets can be considerably cheaper than at home.  We’ve really enjoyed going to town on juices, granola and fruit for little more than a euro or two a day. It’s ideal if you’re staying in an airbnb, and even better if you’ve got a terrace you can eat it on.

Rookie error: Don’t carry a bag of granola around Croatia for a week. You’ll be finding bits in your clothes for weeks to come. I learned the hard (but tasty) way.

So there’s my eight top tips for budget travel. Between them, they allowed me to save substantially on trips over the years and enjoy experiences I couldn’t otherwise afford. I hope they help you to find easy ways to make your travel plans more accessible – and more enjoyable too.