Think outside of the box with accommodations
Booking accommodations can prove tricky on a budget. Of course, Airbnb offers plenty of pocket-friendly choices, but if you’re looking to save cash it’s better to be choosy about the location of the accommodation—staying in the city center will always cost more than opting for somewhere on the outskirts or in a lesser-known neighborhood (just make sure there are good connections into the main hub areas). “Don’t price yourself out of lovely Airbnbs with too many rooms—it’s always worth messaging the owner and asking if they’ll let you use fewer rooms than advertised for a discounted rate (especially for last-minute bookings),” Anna Prendergast, travel writer and editor, advises. “I’ve had homeowners from places like Lisbon and Nicaragua offer bigger properties for less than advertised.”
Other options include home shares or house swaps—Live Kindred is a members-only home-sharing community where users earn credits as they host and are then able to stay at other properties for free. Trusted House Sitters is another site where pet and home-owners offer their house up to travelers willing to look after their animals and property while they’re away.
Embrace picnicking
“Eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner can add up,” says Callie. “Opting to do a supermarket trip to stock up on essentials and food to make sandwiches on beach days (even when staying at a hotel) can save so much money and allow for a special splurge for a bucket-list restaurant.” Most cities have lovely parks or green areas perfect for settling down for a lazy picnic lunch in between museum or gallery-hopping. The same applies to long travel journeys. “Pack your own sandwich and snacks for both short and long-haul flights, stopovers, and journeys,” Anna suggests, “Carbs and protein bars are always useful when you’re traveling in between meals.”
Seize the day with hotel breakfast
Even for those of us who aren’t early birds or breakfast people, a quick, included meal can be one of the best ways to fuel up before a full day and avoid the temptation of a pricier option. “I’ve learned the hard way over time that spending a little bit more ahead of time can save you lots in the long run,” Condé Nast Traveler Destinations editor Shannon McMahon tells us, “and one place where this almost always rings true is choosing the hotel that includes breakfast. Starting your days with the ritual (even if it’s just a modest continental) saves you the pricey coffees and sit-down lunches.” And while hotel breakfasts get a bad rap for being bland and underwhelming, there are plenty of surprising gems out there.
Stick to one destination
As much as we love a multi-destination trip, the cost of flights and trains between countries racks up pretty quickly. Instead, focus on traveling slowly—choose one destination and really get under its skin. This way, you’ll be able to really discover where the locals hang out; the more affordable restaurants and bars, the under-the-radar galleries to visit, the neighborhoods that give you a feel for the destination—it’s better for the environment and for your wallet. “Picking one country versus trying to conquer lots in one trip will help save costs on flights and potentially visas,” says Yellow Zebra Safaris. “It also allows you to maximize your time instead of moving around from place to place.”
Do your research
There is no right answer to the debate between package and independent booking—it all depends on the vacation. Some destinations, such as Costa Brava or Sharm el Sheikh, thrive with all-inclusive packages, whereas a quick city break to Paris or Amsterdam may be better organized by yourself. On the one hand, independent bookings offer more flexibility, the control to avoid unnecessary add-ons, and no travel company fees. On the other, package bookings offer bulk savings for families, better financial protection, and no burden of price comparison sites. There are lots of factors to consider, and ultimately it comes down to finding the best option for the type of vacation you want to have.
