"How can you afford to travel so much?" It's a question that travel bloggers (and other keen travellers) are often asked. We've travelled a lot ourselves and talk a lot with other experienced travellers. Based on these experiences, we now present 10 steps for those who want to travel (more).
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Can everyone afford to travel?
No, all cannot afford to travel. You can, of course, find yourself in a financial situation where you have to prioritise things other than travel out of necessity. However, we believe that many people (in Sweden) can afford to travel more than they do today. We do not necessarily mean that everyone shall do it - it's a matter of prioritisation in life. But if you feel that you would like to travel more, we present 10 steps for you to follow. Do you have any other tips on how to afford travelling?
1. prioritising
You can't have everything in this world. At least that's a truth that applies to most of us. To begin with: think about what you really want to prioritise. Is it travel? If so, you may have to prioritise other things.
Change to a smaller home or move to a cheaper neighbourhood. Get rid of the summer house/boat/car... (Or you might decide that the apartment in the city/garden/summer house is more important than travelling - and that's ok too!)
2. Reduce your expenses
This point is related to point number 1, but also applies to smaller expenses. Is it possible to reduce internet or electricity costs by switching companies? Can you make do with the basic range of TV channels? Is there an insurance company that offers cheaper insurance compared to what you currently have? Can you bring a packed lunch to work instead of eating in a restaurant, etc.?
3. Increase your income
This point is not always easy, but it may be worth a try! Can you change jobs to get a higher salary or take a second job on the side? Can you bring in extra income through your blog or website? Do you have things in your storage room/basement/garage that you can sell on Blocket? Can you rent out your home while you are travelling?
4. saving
After going through points 1 to 3, you will hopefully be able to set aside some money each month. Set aside a separate account for savings, labelled 'travel', so that you are not tempted to use the money for other things.
5. Travelling in low season
This can be difficult if you're travelling with children or if your job limits your choice of holidays, but if you can, travel in the low season. It's not just the plane tickets that will be cheaper. Just about everything on site tends to drop in price: hotels, campsites and excursions, for example.
6. Choose cheap destinations
Of course, the destination you choose plays a huge role in your budget. In Europe, we can make a case for Eastern Europe. You get a lot of value for money if you choose to holiday in, for example. Poland, Bulgaria, Latvia, Hungary or Albania. In Asia, you can also get great value for money, such as in India, Malaysia or Philippines. Check out the FOREX holiday index.
7. book the trips yourself
Sometimes you can find really cheap package holidays, but most of the time it's cheaper to book yourself. Note that this is a job that takes time - especially if you want to keep prices down! You have to search, search, search. Will it be cheaper if you fly down on Wednesday instead of Tuesday? What does it cost if you book the hotel directly instead of through the hotel booking site... and vice versa?
8. Hang on to contacts and ideas
Sometimes it can be cheaper (and more fun) to organise something together. If several of you are travelling together, you can share the cost of a rental car and a cottage/apartment/house. Or maybe you have a friend who has a house or apartment somewhere that you can visit or rent cheaply? Of course, this is not about exploiting others, but about hanging out on fun and good opportunities. Maybe you can help each other and contribute with different things?
9. live cheaply
Hotels are not the only possible form of accommodation. If you are travelling by car, you can stay in bed & breakfasts, rent private rooms or stay at a campsite. Almost every small campsite has cottages for rent, which can accommodate 4-8 people and often allow you to cook your own food. You can also rent an apartment or house, which also has the advantage of being able to cook your own food. There are also plenty of other exciting options, such as coach surfing or Home Exchange.
10. live cheaply
It's nice to be able to throw money around on holiday, but it's not necessary. One of the big expenses is usually eating out. Let lunch be a sandwich on the beach and cook many meals yourself if possible (possible if you rent an apartment/cabin or live in a caravan). Shopping is also not necessary. Instead, indulge in inexpensive pleasures such as lying on the beach (sunbed hire is not necessary), strolling in parks and visiting attractions.
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Angeliqa says:
Great post! I have a favourite quote that I return to from time to time "If travelling was free you'd never see me again". I think you describe it so well with the word priority - because what we focus on will grow and in a good spiral of socialising with like-minded people, the adventures tend to become more "by themselves" 😀 But it is important to dare to jump when the chances come. =)
16 June 2016 - 8:05
Ann-Sofie says:
Low season prices are VERY different from high season. Just checked car hire prices here on the Algarve coast. A small economy class car in June costs about 90 Euro/day in September 45. Quite a difference.
16 June 2016 - 8:05
Steve says:
Something to think about for all those who are keen. It may seem like an obvious 10 steps, but they should be implemented as well. I see prioritising as the be-all and end-all. If you absolutely want to do/have something, you must also be prepared to give up something.
16 June 2016 - 8:20
Henny says:
Thank you for all the nice, instructive and exciting posts. Always fun to read them even if I don't comment every time.
It will be nice to see you at Stora Nolia in Piteå later this summer and maybe exchange a few words.
Have you booked a campsite already? Maybe at Västra kajen or Pite Havsbad isf. Otherwise, I can recommend a simpler variant in my home village Jävre. If you have time to spare, I think you should take the opportunity to make a trip to Storforsen, Europe's largest unbound waterfall.
16 June 2016 - 8:25
Agneta says:
What a cosy blog! 🙂
Wonderful to be able to do as many trips as you do.
I have prioritised a lot already, since I quit my job a few years ago to write a book. But travelling is something I miss ...
16 June 2016 - 8:26
Ama de casa says:
Lots of wise advice to get advice 🙂
Prioritisation is key, I think. Then it is actually possible to hotel-camp very cheaply nowadays. Depending on the country, of course. It is not so cheap in Sweden, for example. But there we usually do stealth camping instead. That is, moving around between good friends. The secret is not to stay too long in each place. They usually get bored already after a few months... Haha! 😀
16 June 2016 - 8:34
Rosita says:
Great tips!!! Concrete and clear. Why I have been able to travel a lot is mostly because I work in the travel industry. Then I have not had to compromise on so much else - accommodation, shopping, restaurant meals 😉 BUT I have had to compromise on both destinations and hotels - then Thailand, Greece, Spain, etc. have been cheaper for me to visit than, for example, Eastern Europe. The luxury problem is that over the years it feels a bit boring to have to compromise so hard (now we have seen a lot of the "charter world"). But on the other hand, I have changed genre in the travel industry now, for new discoveries and destinations. In October cruise Rome-Naples-Barcelona. Two of them visited already for sure, but still not on a long-term charter holiday.
Great tips!
16 June 2016 - 8:37
OnTrip. dk says:
Good tips you have written here. But for those of us who live in Scandinavia, there is a high degree of prioritisation and saving on costs in everyday life. With the low season, there is also a lot of money to be made here.
16 June 2016 - 8:38
Katarina says:
Extremely good tips. So on my blog tip list going forward. 🙂 like that you have with increase your income because it is not only always the expenses.
16 June 2016 - 8:46
Discovering The Planet says:
Really good list and many good tips.
16 June 2016 - 8:52
Henrik Olsson says:
I would love to visit Poland sometime! 🙂
16 June 2016 - 9:04
admin says:
Angeliqa, yes for us it has probably become so. The more we travel and get to know others who travel, the more we blog about travel, etc. the more chances we get to travel. But surely it is important to dare sometimes, that's how it is with most things in life!
Ann-Sofie, can certainly agree with you! Campsites also have extreme differences. There are often discounts in the low season. For example, we paid 16 or 18 euros/day at one campsite. In high season it costs 48 euros/day.
Steve, it's all about prioritisation, like everything else in life.
Henny, oh thank you for your nice comment and for the tips! We haven't booked camping yet (Peter who knows) but we will check it out. Of course, we must be seen when we are there! 🙂
Agneta, thank you for liking our blog! Writing a book is something I also want to do 😉 How has the book gone?
Ama de casa, haha, it's probably wise advice not to stay too long with your friends (if you want to keep them as friends) 😉.
Rosita, glad you like the tips! Yes, working in the "right" industry can of course also provide good travel opportunities! 🙂 I can also understand that there are other destinations that are cheaper in the charter world. Thailand, Spain and Greece are generally quite affordable destinations. Interesting with a new genre for you in the travel industry, can understand that it feels fun!
Ontripdk, yes, in other parts of the world it is of course completely different. But here, many people have the opportunity to prioritise, and if nothing else, acquire travel opportunities in the future.
Katarina, glad you like our tips! 🙂
Discovering the planet, glad you like the list and tips!
Henrik, Poland has a lot to offer and is not that far away either. The price level is also about half if you compare with Sweden 😉.
16 June 2016 - 9:12
Emelie says:
Thank you, please!
Maybe we'll see you on the lake sometime 🙂 Have a great summer!
16 June 2016 - 9:27
Lina says:
Great tips!!! We also often travel in the low season. But soon the son starts school... Then it will be more difficult.... 🙁 hugs on you
16 June 2016 - 9:49
Vackralillavardag says:
Yes, money is a recurring problem and you really have to prioritise it. Instead of a new car, we drive with a 400€ car for example. The main thing is that it rolls! 🙂
16 June 2016 - 9:55
Eva says:
Yes, a good post as you say everything depends on how much you want to travel and where but a life without travel is no life for me wonderful picture you offer 🙂 nice day
16 June 2016 - 10:05
admin says:
Emelie, then you have to come by us at Kungsholmen, our houseboat doesn't move 😉.
Lina, it's certainly more difficult to travel in the low season when the children are in school... In Europe, the end of June/beginning of July can still be somewhat cheaper than August, which is the real high season... But partly it's to bite the bullet when it comes to that particular point 😉.
Vackralillavardag, yes, there is also a lot of money to be saved! As long as it runs and you don't get problems, it works perfectly well with an older car!
Eva, glad you like the post and picture, thank you!
16 June 2016 - 10:18
TantGlad says:
Great post with tips and such. I myself like to be at home among my flowers.
But it's always good to learn facts and tips.
It is true that you have to prioritise.
Have a great day now.
Stuff.
16 June 2016 - 10:28
Anna, New York – My Bite of the Big Apple says:
Incredibly good list! I think you have made an excellent summary of the best tips.
Personally, I have earned a lot by being a member of certain booking sites. You can often get so-called smart deals with up to 40 per cent discount.
If you are flexible with your departure dates, you can also adapt your trip to the airlines' low-cost calendars. Being quick to book during promotions can also pay off. I'll never forget when I travelled to NYC last November and found a direct, round-trip ticket for only one hour.
2 900 kr. 🙂
16 June 2016 - 10:33
biggeros says:
These were good and noteworthy tips. We often take lunch with us to the beach. Eating every meal out in restaurants is very expensive. Saving money every month and booking your own travel online is also good advice?
16 June 2016 - 11:18
Evy Knoph says:
Great list that I probably also live by some... subscribe to many travel offers by mail... sometimes choose hostel accommodation, which I have good experience with so far and dare to book hotels that do not always have the best ratings... but good ratings on things that are important to me... e.g. "my summer place" Hotel Pennsylvania New York where I will soon be staying for the eighth time...
16 June 2016 - 11:36
admin says:
Auntie Glad, of course you have to make your own priorities, and you seem to have made the ones that are right for you! 🙂
Anna, thank you for another great tip! Here I am probably not as skilful as you, but great that you can tip each other like this! 🙂
Biggeros, you can save a lot by not eating in restaurants all the time. It gets expensive quickly, even when you try to order something simple... 😉.
Evy Knoph, thanks for more great tips! Travel offers on email can probably be smart! And hostels are also an option!
16 June 2016 - 11:39
Sofia says:
What great tips! Booking the trip yourself is my best tip, you can save so much on it. We are going to Mauritius in a month and have booked the trip ourselves. We looked at a package holiday but realised that we saved about 40,000 by booking ourselves. It's crazy, but it's true.
16 June 2016 - 12:47
BP says:
I also think prioritisation is important. You can not get everything and then you should invest in what you really want / do.
Many of your tips require that you have the time and energy to compare prices and insurance. I think that many people (including myself) don't have the energy, as they think it's not so many pennies that can be saved. But many small streams ...
16 June 2016 - 13:02
Ditte says:
An excellent list and it is often a matter of priorities if you want to travel unless you have unlimited funds of course. I'm sure your suggestions will resonate with many people.
I have always travelled a lot from when I was little and during my childhood and took this with me. There have then been many trips around the world even with the children when they were small. We have booked ourselves and varied accommodation and made a clear budget before travelling. Unfortunately, during working hours we have never been able to travel in the low season due to my teaching job, but we have looked for accommodation and airline tickets that made it possible. If four people are travelling, it is important to spend time and energy on this.
I am amused by finding good destinations, good accommodation and good flights (preferably comfortable and with no long stops) and am happy to spend time finding them.
And as pensioners now, we can choose when we want to go, which is good.
I have now prioritised an accommodation in the inner city of Stockholm and know that the budget for travel will be smaller. But it is completely ok.
16 June 2016 - 15:27
Geddfish says:
Great list you come up with. And as with everything, you have to prioritise 😀.
And because I'm flexible - I can travel in all sorts of ways and the accommodation can vary - I find the charm.
I've had a great time on my two Spartan trips, made lifelong friends, and also appreciate the silver lining of luxury accommodation.
Now I am lucky enough not to feel sick in either bus or car and can also sleep in these, it makes it easier. And I also love flying and travelling by train 😉.
16 June 2016 - 17:35
Matts Torebring says:
How professional you have become, in all your posts and so many concrete facts. You are really admirable. We have thought about travelling to Poland by motorhome, when we are not so young anymore and do not want to go so far away. We've been there and just disembarked in Gdynia, and taken a guided tour of the city by bus. We may be stuck in France for another year, then it's probably time to travel.
16 June 2016 - 18:02
Resfredag says:
Travel is like any other hobby, I think, some people spend crazy money on instruments, some people are into horses - and I travel (and prioritise my life accordingly)! Living cheaply also applies at home and is related to reducing expenses as you also write. We chose to move 1 hour outside Stockholm city and halved our housing costs per month!!!
16 June 2016 - 18:06
Misstossequeen says:
Great tips! 😀
16 June 2016 - 19:13
Gabriella says:
So good post!!!
16 June 2016 - 19:52
admin says:
Sofia, oh wow what a difference interesting to hear!
BP, I can agree that it can take time to find and arrange cheap travel. So then we come back to this with prioritisation, you choose where you want to spend time and money simply 😉.
Ditte, you have really had time to see and experience a lot! And you know where you put your priorities 😉.
Geddfish, it sounds like you've really found some great ways to travel, which will give you a lot in many ways 🙂.
Matts, we like both France and Poland (in different ways) so we like your plan 😉.
Travel Friday, but of course it is! It's a priority, few people can afford everything!!!
Mistossegueen, glad you appreciate the tips!
Gabriella, thank you, glad you appreciate it!
16 June 2016 - 20:27
Camilla says:
Great post, you can tell it's professionals talking 🙂 .
16 June 2016 - 20:45
Shamrock says:
Very true, and if you can travel at odd times, you will save a lot of money 🙂.
16 June 2016 - 21:09
Jessy says:
Funny post 😀
16 June 2016 - 21:20
admin says:
Camilla, haha, thank you, we take that as positive praise 😉.
Shamrock, if you have the opportunity to travel in the low season, you should really do it!
Jessy, glad you like it!
16 June 2016 - 21:41
Kattis says:
Yes, I know that question so well and usually jokingly answer that I do not spend my money in the pub every weekend! :P very good tips in the post, the majority of the steps are exactly what I have done / am doing to be able to travel a lot. Right now it is the number of holiday days that limits.
16 June 2016 - 22:05
Rolle o Carina says:
Great post, it's all about prioritising and it works!
Have a good time and keep on travelling 🙂
16 June 2016 - 22:11
Rantamor på näthinnan says:
We skimp and skimp...
throughout the year, we do it to afford our Kottebobils trips.
We are so proud when we know we can afford to travel a little,
though not so much to far...but we can !!!!
16 June 2016 - 22:33
eriksjos says:
Good list! Several of the points apply not only to travelling, of course, but to most things 🙂 if you want to do more with a hobby, work less, etc 🙂 If you apply the primary school maths to your own finances and make active choices, you will go far!
16 June 2016 - 22:37
Alexandra says:
Great list with great tips! Oh that with priorities really feels like the most important thing... You may not be able to live in a fancy villa, drive a new Audi, eat lunch out all the time if you want to travel a lot. We have lived in a lot of "less luxurious" places to express ourselves a little nicely haha when we have been travelling. Especially when I studied and the economy was more limited than it is today. Unfortunately, it is probably instead the time that puts a stop now ... We can not be free when and how much we want from our jobs.... I like my job, but I hate to feel that someone else (an employer) controls my time and thus my life... But I have plans for the future... But it's a secret so far 😉.
16 June 2016 - 23:41
Anki says:
A very good and informative post! So true - it's all about prioritisation!
17 June 2016 - 8:31
admin says:
Rolle and Carina, yes, for most people it's all about prioritisation!
Rantamor, great that you are getting away! You seem to have so cosy and nice on your motorhome trips! 🙂
Eriksjos, can absolutely agree with you that several of the points apply to other things too! By prioritising, working purposefully for something and saving, you get there in the end!
Alexandra, interesting what you write about time. This post was mainly about how to afford to travel, but for many it may be the time instead of the money that hinders. Of course it's good to have a steady and secure job, but at the same time you can't travel when you want, or as long as you want. I recognise that...
17 June 2016 - 8:32
Linda, 155cm.se says:
Kudos to you for formulating this well-filled post. Smart and neat!
17 June 2016 - 18:46
Ida - Att resa med barn says:
Oh, that's good.
This is so much about prioritisation, just as you describe here.
//ida
17 June 2016 - 22:51
Marias Memoarer says:
Very good tips! 🙂 Over the past six months or so, I have saved more money than I think most people with full-time jobs "can handle", even though I have mostly been unemployed and according to current measures should really be below the "poverty line". My secret is to live at home with my parents while I save up - ok, now it wasn't a secret anymore anyway 😉 At least I think most parents don't require their children to pay rent and food, on the contrary, mine are so happy to have me at home for a while that they are happy to support me, because they know that I will leave one day. So most of the money I have earned I have been able to save, and is also otherwise frugal, does not run around in restaurants etc., but mainly runs on entertainment that is free or very cheap 🙂 Shopping cheaply and sparingly. O.s.v. Of course, not everyone can do as I do - but those who can could consider it as an alternative 🙂 .
22 June 2016 - 9:25
Stina says:
Many good and important tips that I think many people forget.
Stina Swethaiparadise
02 October 2016 - 16:44
Johnny Friskilä says:
Nice to read your tips as well. You mention Home Exchange. Have you tried it? It's something I've been thinking about actually.
03 June 2018 - 8:43