Does travel have to be expensive? We show that it is possible to travel cheaply even to very remote corners of the world. Discover 10 proven ways to optimize your holiday travel budget. Find out how to travel cheaply in Europe and Poland.
How to travel cheaply? 10 Effective Ways
When you think about a holiday trip, the question invariably arises as to how to finance it. Here are 10 rules of thumb for experienced travelers. Apply them and you’ll see that budget travel is not a myth, but a valuable skill worth learning.
- Plan your holiday during the off-season
If you travel in the off-season, you can count on attractive prices of accommodation and meals even in very popular tourist destinations. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about crowds on beaches, museums or trails.
- Use price comparison websites
Compare prices of hotels, apartments or guesthouses on different travel portals. This gives you a chance to find the cheapest deals available on the market. Similarly, search for eateries and equipment rentals (bikes, boats, diving equipment).
- Buy airline tickets in advance
Take advantage of promotions and buy airline tickets months in advance. In this way, you can reach distant countries and even other continents cheaper.
- Travel in the middle of the week and at unusual times
You can buy the cheapest tickets for mid-week travel. Tickets for flights that start (or end) at unusual times, such as early morning or mid-night, also have attractive prices.
- Steer clear of resorts
In crowded tourist destinations, prices can be several dozen percent higher than in equally attractive, often located in a short distance, but less popular places
- Enjoy free tickets
Many public institutions (museums, galleries, monuments, natural attractions) have a selected day of the week when they do not charge for sightseeing. It’s an opportunity to see something interesting and save a lot of money.
- Prepare your own food
If you have access to a kitchen, buy basic products and prepare your own meals. Not only does it save money, but it also means safety: you know what you’re eating and you can take care of the hygiene of food handling.
- Use local public transport
When you’re going to a country, check out the cheapest ways to get around it. Use multi-ride or season tickets (for a week or a month), which are cheaper than single tickets.
- Take out travel insurance
Travel is not only about attractions and fascinating experiences. During exotic holidays, accidents, illnesses, breakdowns of private means of transport or loss of property can also occur. That’s why it’s a good idea to take out appropriate insurance to minimize losses and increase your sense of security while traveling.
- Be ready to go today
If you have chosen a destination for a long time, monitor the prices of airline tickets and offers on travel portals. Always have your pre-packed luggage at hand, the appropriate amount in your account or in cash, and a supply of vacation days. When a last-minute deal or airline promotion appears, you will be able to complete the necessary formalities overnight and set off on your dream trip.
How to travel cheaply in Europe?
If you’re wondering how to travel cheaply in Europe, a good tip is Eurostat (European Statistical Office) data. Find out where the cost of living is currently lowest. Choose the part of Europe where the prices of food, transport, gastronomy, accommodation, services, entrance tickets to tourist attractions, fuel or public transport are comparable or lower than in Poland.
In 2023, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Montenegro were among the top cheapest countries in Europe. Also, keep in mind that prices in a given country often depend on the tourist popularity of a particular region or place.
Is it possible to travel cheaply in Poland?
To reduce the cost of domestic tourism, follow the 10 travel rules we described above. In addition, you can avoid overpaying for accommodation. Spending time at campsites or campsites has recently become an interesting and popular alternative to hotels. In good weather, during trips to the bosom of nature, it can be a really interesting adventure for the whole family.
On the other hand, for people who like frequent changes of place, a camper is the optimal solution. You can rent an air-conditioned, comfortable house on wheels for 4 people for a few hundred zlotys per night (even in high season). In return, you’ll have complete freedom to travel and make stops wherever you want.
Cheap travel in Poland is also possible thanks to the reduction of transport costs. How to do it? Travel in a larger group. If you have a large car, invite your friends or family over for a trip to reduce your expenses on fuel (splitting the fees among more people) and accommodation (you can rent a larger apartment or holiday home at a great price per person). For travelers who have a vagabond streak, hitchhiking is also a great way to travel almost free.
It’s easy to see that the basis of low-cost travel is careful planning and making decisions well in advance. It also pays to thoroughly research the local conditions and the specifics of the destination destination. At the same time, the readiness to travel is very valuable. If you are able to prepare for your trip from day to day, you can take advantage of very good last minute offers. Traveling on a budget is an art that anyone can learn. To get started, all you need to do is follow the advice in this article to significantly reduce the cost of your holiday travel.
