The Budget-Friendly Vacation

The first step to keeping travel costs down is understanding your budget and the expected costs of your destination, says Canadian-born Dotti Mazga, who’s spent many years travelling on a shoestring.

She recommends using an app to help you watch your spending, such as the easy-to-use Travel Spend money tracker.

There are other things you can do before hitting the road to ease the budgetary burden. Tim Leffel, travel writer and author of three books including The World’s Cheapest Destinations, has several tips for alive readers.

Consider less expensive destinations

Choose a destination that’s off the beaten path. For instance, instead of Paris, head to Montreal or Quebec City. Replace a trip to Spain with Mexico City, Puebla, or Oaxaca, or trek a bit further to Antigua, Guatemala.

Look at travel timing

Timing your ticket purchases can involve a huge difference in cost. For example, don’t travel during the holidays, but fly on the holiday itself, such as Thanksgiving Day, when both prices and crowds are usually lower.

Maintain flexibility

“In general, the more variables you can leave open, the better travel prices you’re going to find,” says Leffel.

Consider your group’s size

If you’re travelling with a larger group, it may be cheaper to road trip or find a bus or train deal and make that part of the adventure, says Leffel.

Accommodation that doesn’t break the bank

Mazga suggests leveraging online travel platforms to your advantage. Find a platform that offers discounts, perks, and greater savings when you book with them consistently. If you’re travelling spontaneously, she recommends searching for last-minute deals on hotels.

“Often hotels will offload their unbooked rooms at rock-bottom prices,” says Mazga.

You can also find great deals by picking up the phone. Mazga recommends calling ahead if you plan to stay in one place for more than three days and asking if they’ll offer a discount. According to Mazga, this tip works especially well when you’re travelling with a group of four or more.

Eating out on the cheap

When you do decide to dine out, select the small, local places that the locals—perhaps at your accommodations—suggest. “Not only does this offer a more cultural and authentic experience, but the prices are almost always cheaper!” says Mazga.

In addition, the local markets will almost always have a section devoted to ready-made food. This is a great option for finding a filling lunch, so that you can buy a smaller—and more affordable—dinner.

Mazga always travels with a “cooking kit” that includes a pocketknife, small bottles of both oil and vinegar, salt, and a collapsible resealable container. She picks up fresh produce from the market for creating salads on the go.

Affordable activities

Mazga prefers to take advantage of free activities upon reaching her destination. Many of these are outdoor based, such as city walking tours. She also finds it worthwhile to look into free or discount days at museums and suggests finding a group to share costs on pricy tours.