Planning a successful trip takes time and a clear sense of what you actually want out of it. These days, it matters to understand how to travel smart and what you might run into along the way. Read on for answers to the questions that matter most about planning an affordable trip and the costs that come with it.
Plan your time and spending
Try not to leave everything to the last minute. First, work out your goals and needs. Researching accommodation or transport options early lets you find good deals and avoid paying the standard rate. Compare prices, make a packing list, and research interesting spots at your destination that might be worth seeing. Remember that booking tickets in advance can significantly cut your costs.
Travel in a group
Everyone knows travelling together is always cheaper. It's often more affordable to buy group tickets or share accommodation, splitting the cost among several people. Planning together and dividing up responsibilities also makes organizing the trip easier and saves time and energy. Plan your trip with friends or family and take advantage of appealing group deals.
Save for your trip and review your spending
Before heading off on a trip, take care of your financial stability. Avoid a situation where you start running short on money before the trip is even over. Build a budget and set aside a specific amount for your trip. Your savings will let you make your travel dreams a reality. Before you set off, it's essential to review your spending. Before making purchases, set your budget and buy only what you actually need. If you need to buy something, look for discounts at online stores or ESTO's partner stores (ESTO Market — partners across the Baltics | ESTO Latvia).
If saving isn't an option and funds are tight, use ESTO's Pay Later solutions. Don't deny yourself the joy of travel. Check out what we offer and find out how you can use various appealing payment options, like the ESTO 3 payment solution, which lets you pay for your purchase in three equal instalments over three months at no extra cost.
Check out our ESTO payment solution, "buy now, pay later".
How to save money travelling with family?
Want to travel with kids but worried about extra, unexpected costs? Don't worry! Look for good deals. Most attractions or accommodations offer discounts for children, students, and seniors. Research these options before your trip.
When planning meals, consider cooking for yourself. Renting an apartment with a kitchen means you can cook your own food, which, as we all know, is much cheaper than eating out. You can also visit local markets or shops to buy fresh produce and cook more cheaply.
When looking for accommodation, pay attention to how close it is to major attractions and the city centre. Travelling in a group helps cut transport costs. It's a good idea to walk or use public transport rather than spending money on taxis or car rentals.
How to find cheap flights?
Finding cheap flights is a challenge for every traveller. The most important thing for finding good discounts is time. Plan your trips early and compare prices across different airlines. It's worth watching last-minute ticket prices as much as six months out! You should also keep an eye on whether your destination has any local public holidays or events that draw large numbers of locals and tourists, since that's when tickets get expensive.
During summer, it's usually very hard to find good deals. It's best to look for travel discounts from autumn through late spring, once most people are back at school or work. Don't fix on a specific date, since sometimes a difference of a few days can mean significantly lower ticket prices. Look for good deals on sites like Skyscanner, Momondo, Expedia, or Kiwi. Try following these tips when planning your next trip, and find out whether you can travel for less!