Travelling is something everyone should do. We all need to wind down, see different places and perhaps learn a foreign language while we’re at it. Going away can be expensive, especially if you want to go overseas but with some smart planning, travelling on a budget is possible.
Financial adviser and head of customer relationship management at Liberty, Boitumelo Mothoagae, says it’s okay to use your savings to travel, as long as you take care of your financial needs first. The bottom line is that you have to put money away during the year for your holiday.
Mothoagae also advises travelling off-season.
“Winter and autumn are usually cheaper because the demand for travel is lower. School holidays and public holidays are more expensive,” she says. Before you make any rushed decisions, decide where you want to go, workout how much it will cost then save up for it.
“Be mindful of hidden costs. If you are flying, there will be airport taxes and levies. Include petrol costs if you are travelling by car. Travel insurance is also important to consider when planning your trip,” Mothoagae adds.
When Keabetswe and her partner wanted to visit Italy, this is exactly what they did. “We did a lot of planning,” she says. “We thought about flights and accommodation, as well as food and tour guide fees. There was even some money set aside for an emergency.”
Even with her careful planning, there were some things that took Keabetswe by surprise. “I didn’t know that food would be so expensive. Even fast-food options cost more than they do here. We did splurge a little when it came to eating out,” she says.
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Mothoagae adds that other areas that people don’t always consider are entertainment, like going to clubs and buying souvenirs.
Getting there
Domestic travel
If you are considering local travel, the drop in the petrol price is great news.
Pen travel
Travel agent Zia van der Merwe warns that before you start yelling “road trip!” there are few things you need to consider.
“Keep in mind parking costs, as well as the price of B&Bs if you are travelling long-distance and need to stop for the night. You should also service your car before you set off,” she says.
It’s important to calculate all these costs carefully, as Van der Merwe says that when you’ve added everything up, you might find flying is cheaper than driving. If you are going to fly, book your tickets as far in advance as you can to get the best possible rates.
“Don’t restrict yourself on dates – opt to travel on midweek days, like Tuesday and book midday flights as they are usually cheaper,” Van der Merwe advises.
Include car hire so you can get around at your destination. In the case of that not fitting into your budget, don’t be shy to explore other forms of transport. Take the bus or train or even walk. Not only will you save money, you’ll score a bit of sightseeing.
Install Uber on your phone before you go – it will be your friend in times of need. Don’t overuse the service, though, as it could amount to the same as hiring a car.
Going overseas
If you are travelling abroad, be prepared to dig deeper into your wallet for a flight. If you plan well in advance, it won’t hurt your budget as much as it would if you book your flight two months before your departure.
Van der Merwe advises you give yourself a year to plan an international trip.
“If you book a year in advance, you will get much cheaper flights. Also, book for off-season times. If you are on a strict budget, fly to capital cities and finish the rest of the trip by bus or train,” she says.
Don’t choose the first airline that comes to mind. Shop around to find the best price. Often, flying directly to your destination can cost more, so be prepared to stop over for a few hours in another country because it will save you money.
The following websites compare flight prices and alert you via email if a selected fare has changed: farecompare.com, yapta. com, travelocity.com.
Accommodation
The cheapest option is almost always camping or staying in backpackers-style accommodation with shared dorms and bathrooms. But this is not suitable for everyone and can be difficult if you’re travelling with your family. Hotels are usually prohibitively expensive, which is why Van der Merwe recommends self-catering options and B&Bs.
The added benefit of these options is that you will spend less money on eating out.
Renting and house-swapping
Depending on where you’re going, renting a house is a possibility. If you’re going to the beach and want something with a sea view, you’ll need a big budget, but if you’re retreating to a small town, it can be affordable to rent a home. It’s also something to look into if you’re going overseas.
“Homes can be rented in cities like New York. It is sometimes like house-sitting as the owners rent out their places when they go on holiday,” explains Van der Merwe.
There are plenty of options, from one-bedroom apartments to up-market houses. But be careful before you jump at the cheapest option. What might seem like a bargain could be in bad condition or in a dangerous area. Or it might be far from the city and you’ll spend a lot on transport to get to the tourist attractions.
Before you book, do research. If you feel like channelling your inner Cameron Diaz in The Holiday and don’t mind someone staying in your house, you can save a lot of money. To rent or swap a house, visit Airbnb.com. There are plenty to choose from.
The exchange rate
With the rand’s current value, an exotic getaway could leave you bankrupt but there are places you can get good value for your money.
“Thailand is reasonably priced because of the exchange rate,” van der Merwe says.
“Mauritius and Zanzibar are also wonderful places to visit on a budget because many companies offer all-inclusive packages that provide flights, accommodation, food and drinks. The only things you need to pay for are sightseeing and souvenirs. This is the best option for those who tend to splurge,” she adds.
“Guided tours and cruises are much cheaper and you pay for most things in advance. The only things that aren’t covered are some meals and entrance fees for museums.”
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Group travel
If you want to go on holiday with friends or family, consider travelling in a group, as you can often get discounts for more than five people.
“You will need to book through a travel agent to qualify for the discount,” says Van der Merwe.
An agent will have information about various packages and for a range of budgets. For very cheap holiday tours for people aged between 20 and 30, Contiki is the answer. They offer group backpacking packages through Europe, Asia, North and South America and Australia. They’re a lot of fun for a group of friends but you can book on your own and join a group. Go to contiki.com.
Prioritise
Mothoagae states that if you have not saved up for a trip but feel you really have to get away, it’s better to tap into investments than pay for everything with your credit card. But she warns that if you have money in your investment account for a car, it might not be wise to take it to go on holiday.
“You need to prioritise. Don’t tap into your education or retirement funds to go on holiday.
“The more you have in those funds, the more interest you’ll earn. Don’t rob your future self to pay your present self for something that’s not going to have any long-term value,” she stresses.
If you want to go on holiday this summer but aren’t sure you can afford it, remember the wise words of writer Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”
This, however, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t stick to a budget or save up for next year.
