Affordable Places to Travel in 2024
If you want to take an exotic trip this year but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, as they say, then you’re going to want to focus on some of the most affordable places to travel. Thankfully, traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on fun. Some travel destinations are a real deal, especially when you factor in currency rates.
Affordable Places to Travel Around the World
The U.K.’s Post Office, a British-based mail and financial services company, recently released its list of some of the most budget-friendly vacation spots for 2024 around the world. While this report on the most affordable places to travel is geared to U.K. travelers, it totally works for Americans, too. In the report, they research and analyze currency strengths, local prices and tourist expenses in 40 popular vacation spots around the world. The study ranks the vacation places based on statistics that include the local price of eight tourist essentials: coffee, beer, cola, wine, water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a three-course meal. That’s a really interesting mix of essentials. The U.K.’s Post Office has been doing this annual report for 18 years, and they state that prices have dropped since 2023 last year in 25 locations on the list. So, the good news is that travel is getting more affordable, at least in some areas of the world.
No. 1 on the tally for the cheapest spot to travel right now is Hoi An, Vietnam. According to the report, the total estimated cost for a day of travel essentials there is $64.51, making it a picturesque destination that is a real deal. As for other affordable places to travel, No. 2 is Cape Town, South Africa, and No. 3 is Mombasa, Kenya. In the report, the U.K.’s Post Office recommends that travelers going to foreign countries think ahead. “Wherever you’re travelling to, you’re likely to get a better rate on travel money if you buy it before you get to the airport,” they write. ”Check the exchange rate for your destination to get the best value from your foreign currency.”
When it comes to travel spots in the U.S., according to Travelandleisure.com, the cheapest place in America to book a trip to is Denver, Colorado. “With an average price of $486 for flight and hotel, the Mile High City features a walkable downtown with restaurants, museums, entertainment, and shopping,” they state. No. 2 is Chicago, Illinois, and No. 3 is Atlanta, Georgia. If you’re looking for more domestic travel fun, national parks also make for great budget vacations.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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