Tip #1: Plan ahead. Be flexible.

While it’s occasionally possible to bag last-minute deals, planning trips well in advance is crucial if you’re trying to travel on a budget. Especially if you’re buying long-haul flights. Being flexible can help, too – and changing your travel dates, or choosing to fly between Tuesday and Thursday, will often dramatically affect the price of your ticket.

Third-party flight comparison sites, such as Skyscanner or Expedia, are also a great way to hunt down the cheapest way of flying from A to B. For more information on this, take a look at our recent blog How to find cheap flights in 2023.

Tip #2: Set a budget (and stick to it)

The budget you set yourself will depend primarily on your holiday destination, and its everyday living costs – we’ll look at this in a little more detail in Tip #3.

Another significant factor is the duration of your time abroad. If you’re travelling for a long time, you may need to be stricter with yourself. But remember, try not to be too strict – the reason you’re going on holiday is to experience new cultures in exciting ways. And that’s nearly always worth it (within reason, of course).

Tip #3: Choose a budget-friendly destination

As we mentioned earlier, destination determines budget. If you’re looking for budget-friendly destinations, South-East Asia is a great place to start (think: Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines). South America is also a good option – and both continents offer plenty of breathtaking scenery, vibrant cultures, and cheap everyday costs.

You may want to avoid some European nations if you’re trying to travel on a budget. Particularly the Scandinavian countries – which although stunningly beautiful, and well worth a visit, have some of the world’s highest cost of living index scores.

If you have friends or family who’ve visited the country or region you’re thinking about travelling to, it’s useful having a quick conversation about the price of everyday expenses. That way, you’ll have a rough idea. Alternatively, you can look at cost of living sites online, which often have up-to-date statistics, estimates, and calculations of how much you might need per day, per country.

Tip #4: Travel light, pack smart

Travel light, and you’ll save on expensive aeroplane luggage fees. Better still, travel with just carry-on luggage, and you’ll avoid them altogether. Plus, the flexibility of travelling with only a carry-on rucksack can give you greater freedom when exploring new destinations. Although, of course, if you’re travelling for a longer period of time, you may want more changes of clothes.

If you’re packing a bag to put in the hold, remember to pack smart. Sure, it’s nice to have all the different swimsuits or swim shorts if you’re going somewhere tropical – but don’t forget to plan for the unexpected (a tropical storm, for instance). We recommend always packing a waterproof, a warm hoodie or jumper, and a pair of trousers, wherever you’re heading.

And remember your personal essentials, too – this will avoid you having to spend money rebuying them abroad.  

Tip #5: Take public transport

This one’s a no-brainer, really. Taxis, even those booked via apps, are usually significantly more expensive than buses, trains, or even travelling by bike. So, we recommend embracing public transport wherever possible. Google Maps or the City mapper app can help you plan your routes – and you’re likely to enjoy a more authentic experience, often with great views.

Remember, even domestic flights can also really add up. So, if travelling long distances, explore overnight bus or train options. That way, you can travel while you sleep – giving you more time to enjoy new destinations, and saving you on accommodation costs, too.

Tip #6: Eat and drink like a local

Forget French-fries – ok, just kidding, nobody has to forget French-fries. But choosing to eat and drink like a local can be a great experience for your tastebuds, and your wallet – often the portions are more generous, too. However, if you’re ordering meat dishes or skewers from street stalls or night markets, always ensure they’re properly cooked through. This way, you can avoid any nasty tummy upsets (the last thing you want on holiday).

Tip #7: Find free activities

Remember, free can still mean fun. In fact, sometimes the best experiences abroad can be had independent of guides or organised activities – often by simply following your feet, and allowing for spontaneous discovery. Walking is actually a wonderful way to see and experience a city. And don’t forget free museums, festival-day festivities, as well as public parks and gardens – the perfect spots for a budget-friendly picnic, too.

Tip #8: Buy a local SIM card

This one is a must, as data roaming and paying for Wi-Fi can be extortionate abroad. And although many UK network operators permit roaming in EU countries, outside of them you can get stung – particularly if you’re travelling in other continents.

We recommend buying a local SIM with locally-priced data packages. You’ll need data for navigating your way around (think: Google Maps), and for staying in touch with loved ones back home.

Tip #9: Travel off-season

This doesn’t necessarily mean holidaying with bad weather. Often it means just a little less sunshine, and an only-slightly higher chance of rain. So you can still enjoy nice weather, without being too hot – especially if you travel during ‘shoulder season’.

Whenever you want to travel, though, you should try to avoid going away during school holidays. At these times, flights and accommodation are always significantly more expensive.  

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And if you’d like to learn more about travelling on a budget or keeping an eye on your finances, head over to our blog. You’ll find a selection of helpful and informative articles put together especially for people living and working abroad.

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Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post do not constitute legal or financial advice and are provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and/or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information is true at the time of publishing.