The Golden Rules of Affordable Travel

17.07.2024 - 22:30 / cntraveler.com / Conde Nast / Sarah Allard

Travel is, for many of us, a distinctly rewarding experience—yet it comes at a price. Sky-high flight costs, accommodation costs, and overpriced restaurants can make budgeting seem impossible, and suddenly, booking that trip quickly becomes daunting instead of exciting. While we can’t promise your dream getaway will ever be a bargain, our editors have picked up a few tips and tricks during their years of traveling for cutting costs. Travel is for making memories, so it is important to carefully plan your spending to make the most out of your trip. Here is how to stretch every penny with the golden rules of affordable travel our editors swear by.

Visiting city markets can be one of the best ways to experience fresh, in-season produce, seafood, and local delicacies.

Most of us tend to plan our trips in advance, with an ever-growing list of attractions and restaurants around the world we're eager to experience. But leave some space on your itinerary for spontaneity and get chatting with locals to find their favorite places. “Eat where the locals eat,” says Callie Thorpe, an international travel influencer, “These off-the-beaten-track kinds of places are often far more affordable with less inflated prices, and you can support a small local business.” Avoid eating out in high-pedestrian traffic areas, as these are usually more expensive and not as good. If you’re finding it hard to meet any locals, try asking around at your accommodation—“I always ask the front desk for tips,” Sarah Allard, Condé Nast Traveller UK’s digital director tells us, “They are usually locals and have the best insider intel.”

Airlines have increasingly begun to overcharge on luggage, and there’s just no getting around it anymore. Instead, try to fit as much as you can into a carry-on bag. There are lots of tips and tricks when it comes to how to pack efficiently, so we asked the experts for packing tips to help maximize space on your next adventure. Most people agree that rolling your clothes to the smallest possible size is the way to go—this saves space and stops your clothes getting wrinkly. Using packing cubes is another great way to organize your luggage and help make sure you have the right amount of items for your trip.

Rumored to house the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Paphos District in Cyprus is an affordable vacation option known for its legendary beauty.

Similarly, airlines often ask travelers to pay for seat selections on flights. As nice as it is sitting next to a friend on a long flight, most of us tend to just plug in and watch movies, listen to podcasts, or read for the journey, so paying extra doesn’t make much of a difference. Save precious cash by allowing the airline to allocate you a seat and take lots of