Alternative accommodation options that few people know about: house sitting. Platforms like TrustedHousesitters allow you to stay in a house for free in exchange for pet or plant care. This is beneficial for pet owners, and for travelers, it’s the opportunity to stay in a spacious house with a garden instead of a hotel, often in prestigious areas. The annual membership fee (£100-£150) pays for itself after the first week. Currently, the community has thousands of Britons who travel the country and the world this way.
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Financial instruments also require attention. Use cards without currency conversion fees: Chase, Monzo, Starling, and Revolut (on weekdays) allow you to pay in any currency at the market rate. Important: Revolut has limits on free cash withdrawals on weekends, and in some countries (for example, Thailand), ATMs charge an additional fee, which is best monitored. Always choose to pay in the local currency rather than in pounds (by disabling Dynamic Currency Conversion) – this can save you up to 5–7% of your purchase amount.
Local transportation is another way to save money. Instead of taking a taxi from the airport, use public transportation: in most European cities, a bus or train to the city center costs €2–5, while a taxi costs €30–50. Apps like Citymapper work offline if you download a city map in advance. In Asia and Latin America, use Grab or Gojek instead of street taxis – prices are fixed, and you won’t fall victim to inflated tourist fares.
Food is the third largest expense after accommodation and flights. A global life hack: find where the locals eat. Restaurants on main tourist streets charge two to three times the price. Walk a couple of blocks, and prices will become local. In Europe, it’s a good idea to have breakfast at bakeries (panadería in Spain, boulangerie in France) and lunch at cafeterias (tavola calda in Italy, self-service in Germany). In Asian countries, street food is often safer and tastier than in tourist restaurants, but choose stalls with a large local following.
Insurance is something you shouldn’t skimp on, but you can choose wisely. Instead of airline or tour operator insurance (which is often expensive and offers limited coverage), consider annual multi-trip travel insurance. Companies like True Traveller, World First, or Admiral offer coverage of up to £10 million for £40-60 per year. If you travel more than three times a year, this is cheaper than purchasing separate policies. Important: carefully read the terms and conditions for active recreation—many policies don’t cover skiing, diving, or trekking above 3,000 meters without an additional charge.
SIM cards and communications are another area where it’s easy to overpay. Instead of roaming (even in Europe after Brexit, operators may charge fees), buy a local SIM card upon arrival or use an eSIM.