McGresty

Since the beginning of the millenium, travel has been fairly easy and not all that expensive. However, Covid hit and everything has changed. Businesses try to make the same percentage of profit that was made pre-Covid. It doesn't seem to enter their pea brains that stacking high and selling it cheap will actually make more of a profit in the long run. Air fares have increased and I used to fly from London to Bilbao for about 50 UKP, now it's almost 600 UKP, via other airports! I've been a travel blogger for over 12 years and I needed to do a major rethink that could well apply to you as well.

Plan well ahead

Hopping around and winging it is now almost out of the question. Having said that. I found if a flight or other means of transport is booked locally, you can be a bit more flexible plus save money.

Is there an alternative?

For instance, instead of heading for Bilbao I booked well ahead for a flight to Madrid and took a train to Pamplona. It cost me just under 200 UKP, one-third the price and that included a night in a budget hotel near the airport—paid in Euros once there. If you are over 60, you can travel cheaper with a special card and save at least 25%. Some student cards also offer cheaper travel.

Don't use any online payment sites

If you want to stay in a hostel, get the name, do a search and contact them directly instead of using a hostel bookng site, you'll save money. Do the same for flights and other means of transport. Deal direct with the airline, not some travel agency website. I was in Pamplona, wanted to spend 2 months in Tangier and then fly to London, price, 108 Euros. However, Iberia's website kept breaking and I went to a nearby travel agent, it cost me about 180 Euros (their site is now okay last time I checked). It's often cheaper using a train or bus and you get to see more of the country.

Travel light—like really light

I have a small carry on backpack, with very lightweight stuff in (wear one, wash one). If you need an extra t-shirt or the like, buy one there and toss it when you leave (unless it's better than the one in your pack). In Europe use the Chinese shops.

Stay longer in a place

See if you can rent a room for a month or more, ask locally and do a bit of bartering. I have saved a lot by doing it that way. You get to know more people and will discover all kinds of great stuff that tourists never see.

You have to eat sometime

When staying for a month or three, especially in a shared apartment where you rent a room, is a bit like being part of a family. The bathroom, kitchen and sometimes a living room is shared by all. All the times I have stayed in Pamplona was with Bolivian people and some even shared their food with me. Most Bolivian food tastes great and they seem to cook it very fast. For your own food you have to shop. Supermarkets are expensive and I don't know if local markets are in all countries, but buying stuff from them is a lot cheaper, they are called mercados in Spain. I can buy fruit and vegetables at very reasonable prices and cook my own food. Ask the locals, they'll tell you where.

What will cost you

Travel insurance, even if you're young and fit. I'm 78 so it will cost me more even though I'm in good shape for my age. Shop around, get only the insurance you actually need for the region you will be traveling in. Any medical condition will cost you more.

Be careful

This should go without saying, but every year people get their pockets picked, robbed and sometimes beaten and even killed. If you are female you really need to watch out, remember you have something wonderful. A woman's intuition is spot on 95% of the time almost instantly. Us guys, if we get it right half the time we're doing well. What about the other 5%? Oh, you're out in another galaxy far, far, away.

Do not walk down that very dark street at 3 o'clock in the morning. Stay in a group and don't think you are safe if you're a solo female traveller, no—you are a target (it has become worse the last few years on that score), so group up.

Fix a lanyard to your smartphone and/or camera. Or, find an old but good camera that looks like something no thief would ever want to steal. In hostels lock everything up when you are out of the dorm. Don't flash all your money or cards about. Note: guys, jeans are harder to pick pockets from, chinos are easy picks (keep nothing in chino pockets).

Just turn on your awareness to where, what and who is around you and it should be okay.

Wrapping it up

There are probably more ways to save on your trip and over the next few years that should increase. The main thing to have a time where you can experience other cultures, remember it's their country not yours, if you can't handle that—shut up and stay home. Enjoy yourselves and in the years to come you will remember those journeys on the road and maybe even make some new friends.

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