Tips on how to save money solo travelling

The frugal team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have revealed how buying food from local markets and pre-planning experiences can help lone travellers cut the costs of their trip.

Solo travelling can be an expensive venture when the costs of flights, accommodation, food and experiences are all added up.

Backpackers will typically have to pay thousands to enjoy a few months away and for those taking a gap year, the costs can creep up to a five-figure sum.

Charlie Stirzaker, consumer expert at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Going solo travelling is an amazing chance to experience different cultures in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“But solo travelling comes with a heavy price, quite literally.

“The main costs depend on where you visit, how long for and what you do while there. But there are also the little charges like luggage fees which can add up quite quickly when travelling to various locations. It can cost thousands for a couple of months away and for those taking a full gap year, it can be significantly more.

“That’s why we wanted to help solo travellers with money-saving tips to help them enjoy the experience without burning through their cash on the first week.”

Here are tips on how to solo travel for less:

Plan at least three months ahead of the trip

Planning a solo trip away is not an overnight job. It requires months of research to ensure you’re able to travel to the places you wish to visit and not be left stranded without any money left to get home

Avoid expensive destinations

Research your desired locations and look up what other travellers have had to say about the prices online. It’s also worth noting that if a country has high inflation rates, it’s best to give them a miss for now and visit again once they’ve stabilised.

Don’t overpack to save on luggage fees

Don’t pack your whole wardrobe when travelling as it’ll not only be a burden to carry all of the clothes but it can result in charges of over £25 for a one-way flight. Be realistic about what you need to bring to avoid the fees.

Walk around to explore the culture

The best way to get to know a new location is to walk around and discover it first-hand. It’ll also save you from paying for a taxi or hiring bikes.

Buy food at local markets

Don’t rely on popular, tourist-heavy markets, head to stalls where the locals are known to get their meals for less. It’s also worth buying breakfast ingredients like cereal from supermarkets so you don’t have to pay for expensive morning meals.

Buy water in bulk

Bring large bottles of water everywhere you go, the more the better. It’s more cost-effective to buy larger packs of water rather than smaller bottles with overpriced charges.
Visit free museums and temples

Many local museums and temples are free to enter and visit for a day trip. Research the locations beforehand to ensure there are no hidden charges on arrival.

Bring your own towels

Many popular beaches charge tourists for using the sunbeds, so make sure to bring your own towels so you can still enjoy relaxing on the sand. It’ll also help you to avoid scammers pretending to be sunbed payment collectors.

Pre-plan experiences

If you have an itinerary of activities that you want to do, then you’ll know roughly what your budget will be when heading to each location. There are instances of people taking advantage of tourists for extra cash, so make sure to research experiences in advance to avoid being deceived.

Book an off-season trip

If you’re travelling alone it’s likely you can go away at any time of the year. Book your trip during the off-season to get the best prices.

Join a solo travel group

Solo travel groups often have deals and offers on and some of your trip can be planned for you. You may also meet some new friends along the way!