Cash-poor, but need a vacation? Do this!

Last updated on 28th March, 2024 at 03:11 pm

In need of a holiday already? Who isn’t! But if you’re worried that a relaxing getaway will just eat into your wallet, don’t be. With a little creativity and savvy planning, you can have a fun break without breaking the bank.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

In this article, you’ll learn:

• How social media can help with #travelhacks
• The best times to travel
• Budget travel tips

Use social media

If you feel like everyone on Instagram is going on holidays you couldn’t possibly afford, dig a little deeper for travel influencers giving #traveltips to #savemoney. TikTok is a treasure trove of travel tips, with global nomads sharing their experiences for #budgettravel and #travelhacks. @lifeofjazz_ shares a great Google search travel hack for finding cheap flights without trawling all the airline sites, while @maddisonrolley shares tips for affordable or free accommodation, such as house and pet sitting or house swaps. @ntoshness also shares her tips for the cheapest places for South Africans to travel in 2024, including Turkey, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

6 Extra tips for cheaper travel

1. Skip the tourist magnets

Avoid the most popular places during peak season and head to smaller, less crowded spots during the off, or shoulder seasons. Plettenberg Bay and Hermanus heave with tourists over December and Easter, while quaint seaside towns more off the beaten track offer peace and quiet at an affordable rate.

2. Trade in the beach

Farm stays, camping and our national parks offer wallet-friendly breaks that will keep the kids entertained while you can relax.

3. Use loyalty points

Sign up for the loyalty programmes of services you use often, such as air miles, hotel and accommodation rewards, and credit card points. Also make sure you sign up to newsletters, which often advertise specials or last-minute deals. Save up all your loyalty points towards your holiday for flight and hotel discounts.

4. Be flight savvy

Did you know booking your flights on off-peak days such as Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday is the cheapest? The dates around big holidays tend to be the most expensive, but flying on the actual day, for instance, 25 December or 31 December, is usually cheaper. And while some #traveltips say searching for flights with your browser in incognito mode, or clearing your cookies, will result in cheaper prices, that is generally a myth – airlines track your location to set the currency and language. Instead, book your flights during the golden window for the best prices: 2-8 months in advance for international travel, and 1-3 months for domestic.

5. Use public transport when traveling overseas

Trains, trams, buses, and shared micromobility options such as e-scooters and e-bikes that can be rented by the hour are usually cheaper than taxis or renting a car.

6. Look for free experiences

Free walking tours, free entrance days for museums and galleries, or free park concerts are available in many popular destinations. Lots of cities offer fun activities that you can do for free or on the cheap. And always make friends with locals who will give you the real insiders’ tips.