Tip 1: Focus on free activities and attractions
There is not necessarily a need to spend a lot to enjoy your holiday. Everywhere, in town or in the countryside, it is possible to enrich your days with free activities: hikes in the wild, or walks in towns or parks, free museums…
Tip 2: Work while traveling
If you have time on the spot and you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves, it should be considered. More and more travelers are deciding to work 3 or 4 hours a day to enjoy free accommodation.
Tip 3: Wait until the last minute
If you don’t care where you go on your next holiday, it may be interesting to wait for the last minute before booking for your travel. Some sites and tour operators offer holidays at -50% or even -70% for the most flexible travelers.
Tip 4: Travel as a group
Generally speaking, it is more challenging to travel low-cost solo than with several people. Moving with 2, 3 or even 4 people allows you to share expenses with everyone. And this concerns both the rental of accommodation and the location of a car and fuel.
Tip 5: Cook your own meals
The food budget can represent a significant expense when traveling. Instead of eating out in restaurants in the morning, at noon and in the evening, take accommodation with a kitchen (studio, youth hostel…) and prepare your own meals. A great way to live as a local and to pay less for your cheaper vacation.
Tip 6: Travel by night
If during your holiday you have to make one or more long trips by bus or train, you should prefer to make this trip at night. Not only are night tickets often cheaper, but they also save you one night’s accommodation.
Tip 7: Choose a low-cost destination
This may seem obvious to many, as it is the basis of low-cost travel. Choose a country where life is cheaper than in Europe. In India, Vietnam, and Nicaragua, the cost of living is 2 to 4 times lower than in Western Europe, a must to save money every day.
Tip 8: Negotiate and look for bargains
Negotiation is part of the culture of many countries around the world. To save money on holidays, negotiate on everything that can be: your hotel room, your souvenir purchases, your transport, your food. It may be a surprise to see how well this works in most cases.
Tip 9: Find alternative accommodation
Housing often weighs heavily on a holiday budget. To save money, why not sleep in a tent or even go to bed? In either case, it provides a more immersive and authentic travel experience.
Tip 10: Live like the locals
In many countries, “tourist prices” are applied when travelers wish to continue to eat and/or travel as Europeans. And yet, by having lunch in small local restaurants and using public transport like the locals, you will save a lot of money.