3 Ways to Cut Costs while Travelling

Hi, I’m Amy. A wife, a mum and healthy lifestyle blogger. I am passionate about healthy living, good mental health and finding joy in all things I do.

Let’s face it: Travelling is Expensive. With the flights, hire cars, accommodation, insurance, you’ve spent most of budget before you’ve even locked the door to your house.

I know first hand how much travelling can hurt, and how painful it can feel to constantly be handing your card over; so I’ve compiled 3 ways to cut costs when you are travelling; while not letting it get in the way of the joy and rest a holiday should bring.

1. Prepare your own food

A massive cost that often goes unaccounted for during the budgeting process can be food. You have to eat when travelling and you don’t always have a kitchen to make much.

When I travel, I ideally like to eat out only once a day, which means getting creative for food. Granola Muesli and fruit can easy option for breakfast, or for something a little more exciting (if you have a refrigerator) overnight oats don’t need much preparation.

Snacks are great to make ahead of time in bulk and can be kept in zip lock bags for easy access. I like to make muesil bars, biscuits, muffins and bliss balls. 

If you are travelling interstate or internationally, make sure you check the local quarantine laws. It can be an effort to make these things ahead of time, but I’m always thankful when I do. Apples are easy to throw in a handbag and can be eaten on the go – mess free.

Lunch and Dinner options can come easy enough with buying a packet of wholegrain bread rolls or wraps at a deli and adding some fresh veggies, avocado and maybe some deli meat and cheese.

Tinned tuna and beans, ready made curries and rice packets have saved me a few times! You can also get creative and make recipes that require only a few ingredients and no cooking, such as this Mango, Mint and Tuna Salad – Yum!

Last but not least, don’t forget your water bottle! Avoid paying for water if you can get it for free (this does not apply to countries where bottled water is required).

2. Stay Outside!

I try to stay active on holidays and one of the best ways I do this is by getting out. I have seen some of the best sights while walking, bike riding and paddle boarding.

Not all of these things are free, but I can tell you bike hire is cheaper than a double decker bus tour. And the best part is that the experience becomes part of the attraction! Isn’t that what travel is all about?!

3. Prepare beforehand

Look up travel guides before you leave; like this one I wrote for Hamilton Island. Know where you want to go, what you want to see and how you are going to get there, so you don’t hurriedly book a pricey tour at the hotel reception.

Write a list of things you will need for the trip well in advance, such as travel adaptors, luggage, lightweight travel stroller (if you have kids) insurance; so you can make the most of sales and not paying full price for something that was heavily discounted only a few months before

If you have kids, make sure your nappy bag essentials are stocked up beforehand, otherwise you may be ordering $10 toast at a restaurant for them or paying for a taxi to take you to buy some baby wipes.

Also, if you are going somewhere where you may need to consider clothing, look up advice such as What To Wear In Dubai, to prevent you frantically buying clothing at the expensive airport clothing stores.

One of favourite travel quotes is this:

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. – Anonymous.”

I hope these tips have been useful to you, so that your next holiday brings you rest and joy.