As we kick off the new year, travel plans may be the last thing on your mind. However, it’s no secret that the earlier you start planning, not only are you more likely to actually get away in 2023, but for a price point you can afford. With this in mind, let’s get to grips with the top things you can do to get the best holiday possible this year with little expenditure.
Top tips for affordable travel in 2023
- Start planning now
Now? Yes, now! If you are serious about going on holiday this year, the best time to start planning for a worthwhile, affordable getaway is right now. Once you have everything in place you can at the very least start budgeting and saving – after all, putting things off for another week simply means that you’ll have less money when you do feel ready to plan. Get all your holiday cards early so you don’t have to scramble later on. Also, the sooner you define where you want to go and when, you may be able to get your hands on early-bird deals and discounts, as well as book when prices are at their cheapest.
- Think about affordable destinations and taking shorter trips
The good news is that a holiday doesn’t have to be the biggest expense you make this year. When affordability is key, it can be worthwhile to consider shorter trips or even ones that are closer to home. The point of a vacation is often to take a break from everyday life, so as long as the destination you choose has a host of facilities or attractions you’d like to visit, you won’t always need a beach in the Med to feel like you’ve had a break.
If you do have sun, sea, and sand or world travel on your mind however, you can do some research for the cheapest location that ticks all of the right boxes. Sometimes opting for lesser-known countries (or even towns/villages near popular hotspots) can be a great way to get the holiday you want on a more worthwhile budget.
- Are there any expenses you can negate?
There can be a host of expenses and fees that always seem to crop up after you’ve planned your trip and begun making payments. Some things to think about to save money are:
- Avoid peak season
- Ask about hotel fees and see which ones you can avoid (such as early check-in fees, holding luggage, etc.)
- Sign up for applicable hotel loyalty programs – these are often free and have perks like free WiFi
- Check the rules of your credit card for free foreign transactions – if your card has charges, consider another method for spending abroad like pre-paid travel cards, traveler’s checks, or cash
- Compare costs at every step of the planning and payment process
One of the best ways to save money is to use a comparison site for every element of travel. When it comes to factors like airport parking, it can be a better idea to make use of a safe, offsite location – and using a reputable platform like https://parkos.com/ can make all the difference. With access to the most trustworthy parking lots available in the US and Canada, you could enjoy facilities like a private shuttle to the airport, valet parking, car washing, car checkups, luggage help, electrical charging of vehicles, and more.
- Get a travel savings fund set up immediately
Just as planning early can be of benefit, so can starting up a travel savings fund as soon as possible. It doesn’t make any sense to go into debt just to have a holiday, so opening a high-yield savings account (or creating a sub-account) and putting in a pre-defined amount every month can be more than worthwhile.
- Spend wisely in the months leading up to your holiday
The more you save on everyday expenses during the lead-up to your holiday, the more you’ll be able to put away. While this may seem fairly obvious, you’d be amazed by how many people overlook the small spends that add up. Over the past few years, many of us have felt the squeeze and have already made some non-essential cutbacks, but sitting down and really looking at your outgoings could throw up some surprises.
You can have the holiday of your dreams in 2023 on a budget
When you make the right decisions, plan well, save and create a budget that’s within your means, the holiday you’d love to have this year is within reach. Whether you decide to travel a little closer to home or go across the world, you can have the time of your life without breaking the bank.