By mastering the art of affordable luxury travel, you can explore the world and have the best experiences without minus the financial strain.
Traveling is a delightful experience that enriches your life with diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable memories. However, the notion that travel demands a hefty budget is a common misconception.
Read more below to learn how to save money without compromising on the best travel experiences.
CONTENTS – In this article, you will learn exclusive and effective tips for affordable luxury travel, including:
How to Stretch Your Spending Money When Traveling
Luxury travel doesn’t have to break the bank. There are secrets to making your dollars go further.
Many luxury travelers waste money unnecessarily by not making savvy choices. But affordable luxury travel is possible when you know how.
Here are some tips to help you save money on the journey, giving you more spending money at the destination.
1. Save Money Based on Travel Season
Before you’ve even embarked on your luxury vacation, one of the best ways to save money is to choose your travel season wisely.
Most experts agree there are three travel seasons: peak, shoulder, and off-peak. Here’s a quick breakdown of each.
Peak Season
Peak season usually takes place on major holidays like Christmas and New Years and during the summer break (June–Aug. in the northern hemisphere).
The exception is warm destinations during winter.
Another popular travel time is when schools are closed, and it’s the only time families can travel.
Airlines and hotels sometimes increase their prices during peak season by as much as 300% because they know people will pay it.
If you’re looking for affordable luxury travel, you’ll want to avoid traveling during the peak season.
Shoulder Season
Shoulder season is the sweet spot between peak and off-peak seasons. That’s because the weather at this time of year is generally pleasant, but the crowds haven’t arrived yet.
Think April-early June and Sept-early November. Airlines and hotels capitalize on this, too, but not as much as in peak season.
It’s a great time of year to leverage your money for affordable luxury travel.
Off-Peak Season
Barring warm-weather destinations, other times of the year such as winter, offer the best airfares from a budgetary point of view. This is known as the off peak season, sometimes called the “low season.”
During this time, some airlines and hotels are operating at less than 50% capacity. As a result, many will lower their prices to fill seats and rooms.
If you’re fortunate to be empty-nesters, and it’s just two of you traveling, consider going during the off-peak season to maximize your dollar.
It’ll be quieter, and you’ll get access to many more bargains just because you were pickier about your travel period.
That said, if you go in the off season, want to make sure restaurants and attractions will be open. Some businesses at particularly tourist-based destinations may take the winter off. In that case, opt for the shoulder season for more affordable luxury travel experiences.
Related: How to Afford Vacation: 7 Easy Strategies to Make It Happen!
2. Find Hotel Deals and Savings
You’ll find numerous ways to book a hotel room these days. Depending on your choice of booking platforms, you may end up paying more for the room than the person in the same room next to yours.
Don’t make that mistake!
As cliché as it sounds, shopping around for the best hotel rate is vital.
Look through everyday and exclusive hotel booking websites before making your purchase. Just because one website shows no availability doesn’t mean the hotel is fully booked. Some sites get more inventory than others, and can also offer discounts for that reason.
If you frequently book online, it’s a good idea to keep all your bookings on one site. That’s because some sites offer you the option to reach a status level where you’ll get further discounts.
You can also look to travel agents, who can be extremely helpful when planning a vacation to an unfamiliar destination. However, agents earn commissions, and sometimes, that’s reflected in the room’s price.
When you work with an agent, ask for transparency and compare prices. If you’re traveling to a destination you know well, avoiding the agent in this case may be better.
On many occasions, booking directly with the property may be the cheapest option.
Depending on the time you travel (see above), hotels with loads of empty rooms will drop the price on the day to sell the room. You may end up with the best possible deal by simply walking in and asking.
This action might be risky if the hotels in the area are full, and I certainly don’t recommend it in peak season. But it can be worth it during off-peak season if you’re flexible.
Rethink Breakfast
Some hotels will offer a room and breakfast rate. Compare that against the room-only rate to determine how much you’ll pay for the meal.
Is it worth it?
If you’re there for an extended stay, do you want to eat at the hotel every morning, or would you prefer to explore local cafes and diners?
It may be best to avoid taking up the extra expense beforehand.
You can always pay for breakfast on the day if you choose, and it may be the same rate or cheaper.
Should You Pay for Views?
If you’re staying in a hotel with ocean views or a destination like Paris with Eiffel Tower views, you will pay a lot more for that room type.
Consider if that additional expense is worth it. If you’re traveling for one or two nights and it’s a special occasion, then it’s likely to be appropriate.
For an extended stay, after the second or third night, the view gets stale. At that point, you may realize you’ve wasted money that you could have spent in other ways.
Why pay extra for the room if you can get the same view from a restaurant or cafe?
3. Saving Money at the Airport
The airport is one of the most expensive places you’ll visit on your vacation. And with good reason: They have a captive audience, so they can charge you whatever they want.
In fact, it’s not unusual to see bottled water priced upward of $5!
If you can avoid it, don’t eat or drink at the airport. Instead, eat before you get there and bring a refillable water bottle. You can also pack snacks, but check the airport rules. In some cases, they must be sealed.
Waiting for a flight can seem tedious, but don’t be tempted to go shopping at the airport or get a massage if you want to save money. All the prices are inflated, and you’ll end up spending an unnecessary amount from your travel budget before you even get to the destination.
While you’re waiting for your flight, plan for ways to stay occupied. That might mean bringing a book, journaling, or cleaning up files on your laptop.
Playing a game on your phone is one of the cheapest ways to amuse yourself. There are ways to save money there, too; for example, look for free games or casinos that offer free spins.
Whenever you fly, make sure you plan your time at the airport well. It can easily become a money pit.
4. Booking Affordable Tours and Activities
Exploring a foreign city is one of the highlights of any vacation, but it can be expensive if you haven’t done your homework. Sometimes, buying a pre-paid tour before you go isn’t the savviest decision.
For starters, you may be locked into a day that will turn out to be inconvenient.
You may also pay more for it than you would in the city on the day.
So, you’ll want to check with online tour operators, travel agents, and the attraction’s dedicated website to determine the cheapest ticket price option.
Some activities get booked out beforehand, so you may not have the luxury of waiting until you arrive. Look to experienced travel bloggers who can offer guidance on whether it’s smart to book in advance or wait until the day of.
Don’t Fall for Scalpers
Finally, beware of buying tickets from a makeshift ticket booth rather than the official box office at the attraction itself. While many legitimate resellers do exist, some are scalpers who sell tickets at inflated prices or, worse, sell fake tickets that, when presented, don’t allow entry. Ugh!
Savvy Decisions Leave More Spending Money
You don’t have to be a frugal traveler to want more money to spend at your destination; just a smart traveler. Budget and luxury travelers alike will benefit from following this savvy advice.
Here’s the recap.
- If you have the luxury of being able to choose when you travel, consider doing it during shoulder or off-peak season.
- When choosing a hotel, shop around; booking direct is often the most cost-effective option. The same applies to tours at the destination but beware of scalpers.
- Airports are notoriously expensive, so avoid spending money in them if you don’t have to.
Follow these tips, and you’ll have more money left over to enjoy at the destination.
Final Thoughts on Affordable Luxury Travel
You now know how to take a strategic approach to your travels so you can unlock extraordinary experiences without spending too much. It’s a good way to ensure you have more money to spend while you’re vacationing at your destination.
When you cut costs where it matters, you can easily indulge in more affordable luxury travel.
About Jackie Gately, editor-IN-CHIEF
I'm Jackie Gately, your travel confidante and the creative force behind Enjoy Travel Life, awarded the "Best Casual-Luxury Lifestyle Blog (USA)" in Travel and Tourism by LUXlife Magazine for four consecutive years. With 25 years of published expertise, I'm a seasoned writer, editor, and photographer curating inspiring travel guides and lifestyle tips for empty nesters. I hope to kindle your spirit of exploration, encouraging you to overcome obstacles and turn your dreams into reality. Learn to minimize your pre-travel angst and maximize the joy of exploration with insights from my experiences. Let's make every adventure a celebration of this exciting phase of life! Follow my social channels for more inspiration.
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