5 Tips to Travel Cheaply (But Well)
As a backpacker, I’m a great advocate of cheap travel. I’ve gone to Europe and back without touching my primary savings account, but I didn’t deprive myself either. I ate mussels and waffles in Brussels, went inside the Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen (my friend Nis paid for my entrance fee), flew from Prague to Athens to save time, and even splurged (based on my standards) by going to Santorini.
All bundled up for the subzero temperature in Belgium (Feb 2012).
Yes, you can really travel cheap in Europe, but even if you don’t have concrete plans (yet) of going there, you can save up and prepare for your first Eurotrip in advance. Does this mean that you can’t travel anymore, since you’re saving up for that major trip? Should you spend all your free days at home twiddling your thumbs?
Definitely not. Even if you’re on PG mode, you can still travel. The secret is knowing how to spend as little as possible while still enjoying yourself to the max. Here are my tried-and-tested tips to travel cheaply, but well.
Sunset at Doha airport.
Keep on the lookout for airline seat sales.
Most of my friends and colleagues wonder how I can travel so much in and outside the country. The secret? Cheap airfare! Since the budget airline industry exploded in the market a few years ago, I have flown to various destinations paying only a fraction of what the ticket usually costs. (Read: How to Find Cheap Flights)
So check out the websites of your favorite airlines, and if there’s an option available, sign up to be sent alerts when there are scheduled seat sales. The reason is simple: cheap seats are usually limited in number. By the time you read it in the newspaper in the morning, all the allotted seats will already be taken. Be one of the first to book and you’ll be guaranteed a slot! (My Coron, Palawan return ticket next month cost me P500, and it was only booked last month.)
Join free walking tours.
Yes, you will be surprised to know that there are walking tours that are free. I was in Budapest when I learned this, and despite being free, it was very well done. In the Philippines, there’s also a monthly tour of the heritage buildings in Manila which will include the beautiful Metropolitan Theater and Manila Post Office. You can also check out the local groups in Couchsurfing. There are always members there arranging tours and meet-ups.
Outside my “cave” in Santorini.
Stay in hostels rather than hotels.
If you’re not comfortable staying for free on someone else’s couch (because of course, the purpose is more on interaction rather than just a free bed), you can stay in hostels rather than hotels. Dorm beds are so much cheaper; you don’t need your own room, anyway, as you’ll be out most of the day. I’ve been using Hostelworld for years to find the best deals, not only in Asia but in Europe as well.
When I was in Kota Kinabalu, I stayed at a backpacker hostel which cost only US$6 per night. The dorm room was small, and there were a lot of beds, but it was comfortable enough. I met people there whom I later went out with to drink the night away while watching the championship game of the World Cup.
The best hostel I’ve stayed in though, was Caveland Hostel in Santorini. There was only me and a young guy in a huge room, and when he left, I had the whole room to myself! At only US$22 per night, it was a great deal, given that there was also free breakfast and airport transfer.
Take advantage of the deals in group buying sites.
The recent years has seen the rise of group buying sites. Indeed, who can resist them? You get as much as 90% off in some of their deals! As a recent convert, I sometimes dread checking out my favorites, which include Groupon Philippines, because I know I will have a hard time resisting to buy, especially when it comes to massage, household products, and yes, even laboratory examinations!
What’s nice about these group buying sites is that they also offer inexpensive travel deals that are sometimes too hard to resist. One offer, for example, was a visit to Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. I regret that I had not seen this when I was in Singapore for five days last month, otherwise, I would have really taken advantage of it.
One major warning though: not all group buying sites are the same. Some have received a lot of complaints already for either misrepresenting the deal or for not fully disclosing all the information. Sometimes the price is exaggerated to make it seem a better deal than it really is. So, before you book a trip through these sites, do your research first and find out if the company is legit!
Very touristy and expensive waffle in Brussels.
Don’t be too cheap.
Yes, there’s such a thing as being too cheap. It’s nice to think primarily of your wallet, but not at the expense of experiencing something memorable. I was in Athens, for example, when I thought of going to Santorini. I initially rejected the idea, thinking it would be very expensive, but then, I asked myself: I am so close already, do I really want to go home without ever seeing it, just because I didn’t want to spend a hundred dollars?
I was so glad I decided to push through! What I spent there (which wasn’t much, since I stayed at the inexpensive Caveland Hostel) was definitely worth it.
So, yes, you can travel cheap. You can forgo some pleasures while traveling to help stretch your budget a bit more. But remember, money can be earned. There are some experiences that are worth paying for, and you shouldn’t miss out on those just because you can’t break your budget.
How about you? What are your tips for cheap travel?
Aleah Taboclaon is a freelance writer and editor. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. You can also email her; she would love to hear from you! Share and Enjoy
I agree with all, especially your tip on the coupon sites! =) I was finally able to visit Boracay last year because of a great deal inclusive of airfare. It’s hard to book cheap airfare to Boracay, since it’s one of the first seats gone during seat sales.
Claire recently posted..Siraan, Anini-y: The Hot Spring on a Cliff by the Sea
Great tips, Aleah! I am always in awe at the prices people in Asia or Europe pay for those bargain airfares. Those are unheard of in the US. Our version of couchsurfing and hostels as a traveling family is renting an apartment. I totally agree about the splurging once in awhile for those wonderful and memorable experiences – even my cheap husband will agree to that
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Discovering the Fountains of Rome
@ Claire: I’ll keep on the lookout for coupons to Boracay. I’m sure it would be a good deal because I know it’s expensive to go there.
@ Mary: Yeah it’s difficult to find inexpensive accommodation if you’re traveling as a family. In these cases, those short-term rentals will be valuable right?
Aleah recently posted..5 Tips to Travel Cheap (But Well)
Our tip is to balance expenditure by mixing freebies (like self-guided walking tours, beach walks and hikes etc), cheapies (like museums, National Park entry fees etc) and splurges (like a helicopter flight or a great meal). We also read up on where we’re headed to see what’s on offer and compare prices. The key is to be an ‘active’ traveller who seeks out experiences rather than a ‘passive’ one who waits for the experiences to come to him/her!
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..Save the Poor Bustard!
Hi Aleah,
How brave you are to be able to travel solo! I’m just a scaredy cat and I prefer going with someone experienced or with a group.
Travel is definitely in my future plans. I’ll keep your tips in mind especially those deals and airline sales you mentioned.
I love your Belgian Waffle photo! Yummy!
Theresa recently posted..Credit Cards Too Private to Recommend
you will always be my inspiration sa eurotrip! You rock it aleah!
One day, ill get there <3
Wander Shugah recently posted..Iligan City: WFAT 1.0 series 00
@ Red: I’m guilty of being a passive traveler haha I like your tips of balancing expenditures though. Will definitely use that the next time I travel.
One day, you will!
@ Theresa: Thanks. Solo travel is not for everybody. Yeah the waffle was yummy, but no longer after the 3rd or 4th bite. The toppings make it taste so rich.
@ Wander Shugah: Naks naman, thanks.
Aleah recently posted..5 Tips to Travel Cheap (But Well)
Ikaw na talaga ang Backpacker, Great tips Aleah! your photos, your journeys and travels makes me more inspired to explore and continue travelling:)(sa pinas na lang muna jejeje)
traveling morion/jeffrey rilles recently posted..Cheap Bargain Holidays: Benidorm on a Budget
@ Jeffrey: Thanks! I have to travel more in the Philippines too, maybe start my goal of seeing all the provinces. We’ll get there
Aleah recently posted..5 Tips to Travel Cheap (But Well)
Great tips to travel cheap, Aleah! Budget airlines are the best way to travel for cheap. Airline tickets used to be so high before they came. Looks like you got some amazing hostel deals. That Belgian Waffle looks delicious!
Shamis @ Gawaya Travel Blog recently posted..Infographic of Hawaii Travel Trends
Free walking tours are a great way of getting to know the area, as well as meeting other travellers! There should be more of them!
Arianwen recently posted..Interesting facts about boobies – and other Galapagos residents
@ Shamis: I only began traveling internationally when the major budget airline here started operating. I couldn’t afford the tickets before they did
@ Arianwen: Yeah, free walking tours are the best!
Aleah recently posted..5 Tips to Travel Cheap (But Well)
when i am traveling, i prefer to walk as much as possible in order to see the locale well, unless some areas require taxi or bus or train. erail train pass is fun, as well. subways. i have never stayed at hostels, but i have stayed at apartments, condos, and motels where you have to share the bathroom with everyone on that floor.
fifi leigh recently posted..My Lulu.com book promotion tour….
Hello,
How about finding air tickets using award miles from credit card sign ups/ award points accumulated via travelling?
A round trip ticket between the US And Europe only 55,000 miles!
@ Fifi: In Europe, I also walked around A LOT. Eurail is expensive though so I just took local buses, or regional trains which are slower but much cheaper.
@ Premier Award Bookings: Lovely idea! I don’t know if it’s available in the Philippines though.
Aleah recently posted..I Was a Pilot for One Day in Malaysia
Lei!!!
. Let’s go side by side next time! 
, Rio de Janeiro? PM me if u found a promising rate for this 
@ Jen: Yeah, been dreaming of So America for some time now! Tara let’s! Don’t know where you’re based though.
Aleah recently posted..Backpacking Solo in Southern Cebu (A 3-Day Itinerary)
I just want to congratulate you for a great site! I love these travel tips as well, as saving money wherever possible when out travelling helps to make the trip a longer one!
Dave Briggs recently posted..A Training Ride and the Expedition Bicycle
I agree, choose your battles, there are times that you really have to spend. bawi na lang ulit the next day
Christian | Lakad Pilipinas recently posted..Why I Blog
@ Dave Briggs: Thanks so much. I hope to add some more tips here
@ Christian: True. To have fun as a traveler, we must be flexible. A lot
Aleah recently posted..Visiting Napoleon’s Waterloo in Belgium
Ayaw mo sa “cheaply”?
I signed up for the PO walking tour but wasn’t able to push through with it.
Great piece Aleah, as always…hope you can live the american dream very soon… I know it’s on ur bucket list…
@ Sharon: Nope. Did some research and although “cheap” sounds weird, it seems to be the correct one to use hehe. I also didn’t push thru with the PO tour last Sept. Hope there’s another one next month!
@ Koen: Ummm…I don’t have the American dream on my bucket list. I don’t know where you got that idea.
Aleah recently posted..What To Do in Ipoh, Malaysia
Well u just mentioned in ur earlier comments…check;-)
Just noticed it was south america u mentioned…misunderstanding…
@ Koen: I’m relieved haha I thought I had really mentioned it and forgotten!
Aleah recently posted..What To Do in Ipoh, Malaysia
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