10 ways to make travelling a more affordable hobby

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: travel is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Whether you’re exploring the next town along from your own, or jetting halfway across the world, you’re sure to meet scores of people, and discover customs and ways of living to which you weren't previously been accustomed. However, one of the biggest setbacks, when it comes to seeing new places, is the enormous price tag that often comes attached to such experiences. Does this have to be an issue? Certainly not! Here are ten of my top tips for travelling cheaply, so that you can spend less time fretting over bills, and more time out there seeking thrills!

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Save money before you leave

One of the best ways to make the nomadic lifestyle affordable is to increase your income. There are a number of ways in which to do this.

Get a job

If you have the time, get a job. This could be anything from delivering newspapers, to babysitting for your neighbours, to working in a local shop or restaurant. Anything that will earn you a few extra pennies will be a massive help when it comes to booking flights and accommodation for any given trip. If you haven’t got any hours to spare – perhaps you’re a full-time student – another option is to do one-off shifts. I, for example, have done a lot of paid bar work at music festivals, and have met other people at these events making money by providing photography and film services.

Sell things

Alternatively, give your house a spring clean, and sell some of your old possessions! There are loads of websites out there to help you do this – eBay, Depop, and Gumtree are some of my favourites – and although they all take a percentage of your earnings, you’ll definitely find that the cash comes rolling in. Wave goodbye to those jeans you bought five years ago (don’t get nostalgic – you were never going to wear them), and say hello to new adventures!

Save, save, save!

Once you've gathered funds, make sure not to go and spend them immediately! Cut costs in your daily life – do you really need to buy that chocolate bar? – and set aside the money you save from doing so. If necessary, open a savings account: that way, you won't even be tempted. Feeling hard done by? Remember that these sacrifices will help you to have the trip of a lifetime!

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Pick cheap destinations

One of the easiest ways to save money when travelling is to stay in affordable places. Just a quick Google search – ‘cheap city breaks’, for example – will give you countless options to choose from. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also venture off the beaten track. The world is full of hidden gems, and often if a town or city doesn’t yet have a well-established tourist industry, the cost of visiting it will be minimal.

Finally, cut down greatly by picking destinations in your own country. Even if you call the same piece of land home, you and your compatriots may have very different ways of living and seeing things!

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Travel at unusual times of the year

Another great way to reduce spending is to travel at unusual times of the year. Many holiday destinations will be at their most expensive during the summer months – although bear in mind that these differ, depending on which hemisphere they're in –so try to avoid booking around this time.

Having said that, each country has their own period of peak tourist demand, so do your research and find out when the lower season is in your particular destination. Accommodation in India, for example, tends to be much cheaper during the monsoon season (mid-June to late September), so if you’re willing to take the risk of getting drenched, travel at this time of the year.

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Cut on transport costs

Before you arrive

Isn’t it sad that you so often have to drain your bank account before even arriving at your destination? Long-haul plane rides, in particular, are never going to cheap, but there are definitely ways to cut costs. First, book trips as far in advance as you can, or wait for companies to do flash sales. In addition, try, when possible, to fly with budget airlines, and make use of price comparison websites when planning trips. You may find that a company you’ve never heard of is offering the plane journey you're after for a fraction of the usual price.

Alternatively, consider connecting flights. There are so many stories of people taking multiple short and cheap plane rides to avoid splurging on just one long one. This tactic isn’t great for the environment, but, if you know what you’re doing, it will certainly help you to keep spending to a minimum. Found the perfect flight? Save money – especially on shorter holidays – by taking only hand luggage onboard.

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When you're there

Transport usage doesn’t stop when you’ve arrived, though. Tempted to take a taxi from the airport to your accommodation? Resist, and find cheap public transport options instead! While you’re exploring the town, walk as much as you can. Not only will you save money, but also you’ll get lots of exercise in, and be able to get a real feel for the place you’re visiting. After all, how many cities can claim to have amazing landmarks hidden in their metro tunnels?

Finally, if you’re staying in one country for quite a while, and want to be prudent with day or weekend trip expenses, do your research to find the cheapest way to get from A to B. Coaches tend to be less pricy than trains, but don't make any assumptions. If you invest in a railcard or book tickets far in advance, you may find the latter to be the most budget-friendly mode of transport.

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Cut on accommodation costs

Accommodation can also cost a fortune, but even the most expensive cities have cheaper neighbourhoods, and even the pickiest travellers should be able to find pleasant places to stay for less. Trade fancy hotels for budget hostels, and rental apartments for single rooms, and you’ll instantly see the price of your trip halved. Want to cut down even more? Try Couchsurfing: you won’t have to pay a single penny, and you’ll be able to hang out with locals, who know your holiday destination like the back of their hand.

In general, my best piece of advice would be to keep your standards fairly low. Yes, it’s always nice to come back to luxurious living quarters, but if you’re going to be spending all your time outside exploring anyway, why waste your money? Of course, don’t be silly and go booking anywhere with awful reviews, but do think carefully about where your priorities lie.

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Cut on food costs

I love a good meal out, especially when I’m visiting a new place, but eating at a new restaurant every night can add up very quickly. Do this, by all means, if you’re keen to try an array of local delicacies, but try to stick to cheaper dining spots, and beware of tourist traps. If you want to be a bit more sparing with your money, do a big grocery shop when you arrive, and have most of your meals at home. In addition to this, bring sandwiches and snacks on day trips, so you don’t get tempted when there are no cooking facilities available.

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Cut on sightseeing costs

Sightseeing is another one of those things that has the potential to render you bankrupt, but there are ways to get around this. Start by doing a free walking tour of the place you’re visiting, if there is one available. This way, you’ll be able to get a feel for the town, without spending a single penny (although it is always nice to tip your guide!), and will find out which places are most worth popping into. Next, try and find monuments and institutions that are either free or cheap to enter, and prioritise these over the more expensive ones.

If there is something more pricy you want to do, see if you can find any deals or discounts to keep your spending to a minimum. A lot of cities have museum cards, for instance, which may seem expensive up front, but which will save you a lot of money in the long run.

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Travel with other people, and share expenses

A fantastic way to cut down on at least some of the above costs is to go on holiday with other people. Even if you’re just with one extra person, you’ll more than likely save on accommodation costs – plus, it’s always nice to have a travel companion! Going with a whole load of people? Take advantage of group discounts, and share cars if this works out to be cheaper than using public transport.

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Work or volunteer while you’re out there

Working abroad

Just because you’re away from home, doesn’t mean you can’t still make a bit of money to fund your adventures! If you have the right to work in the country you're visiting – or can get hold of the necessary visa – see if you can land yourself a short-term job there. Not having much luck? Try volunteering instead, using websites like Workaway and WWOOF to find gigs. You may not earn anything from these sorts of placements, but most come with benefits like free accommodation or food, so you’ll cut costs, at the very least.

Working on the go

If you’re going to be on the move constantly, you could also try your hand at blogging or vlogging. It will take a while to build your platform, but once you’ve got yourself an audience, you’ll be able to make money doing what you really love. Plus, who knows? Maybe one day you’ll start having companies sponsoring you to explore new places!

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Plan and budget before you leave

Last but not least, the best tip I can give you is to plan and budget everything in advance. Being spontaneous is great – and you absolutely shouldn’t sacrifice opportunities of a lifetime just for the sake of being a few pounds richer – but if you’re carelessly throwing away money on things like meals out and club nights, you’ll drain your travel funds in no time.

Decide right away how much money you're willing to spend on your trip, then do your research and decide which sights and activities you’re most keen to tick off your bucket list. If there’s something a bit more pricy – a hot air balloon ride, for example – see if you can cut costs elsewhere to make up for the splurge. No need to make huge sacrifices; just try to balance things out as best you can.

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Get out there, and see the world!

So there we have it: ten ways to make travelling a more affordable hobby. Seeing the world is never going to be the cheapest pastime, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be less stressed about your expenses, and will have more money left to spend on future trips! So what are you waiting for? Book your tickets today, and embrace the nomadic lifestyle!

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