Are you one of the many people who want to travel most in 2026? And many is the right word for it, with 26% of Brits setting the resolution to travel more this year. It’s safe to assume this New Year’s resolution isn’t limited to the UK. If you fall into the category, you might be wondering how to achieve this goal without eating into your savings.
Travel is often expensive if you don’t know what to look for. It’s very easy to fall into traps masquerading as deals. Sure, a vacation package might look good, but it might be cheaper to buy all the different aspects separately. For inexperienced travelers, this might seem rather complex.
But it doesn’t have to be. Fortunately for you, this post has outlines three key steps to accomplish your dream of traveling more – and you will do just that without breaking the bank!
Be Smart When Booking Flights
One of the costliest aspects of travel is the flights. According to fool.com, the average cost of a domestic flight in the US is $386. This is much cheaper than the average cost of an international plane ticket, which stands at $1,217. If you plan on traveling multiple times this year, then these costs will add up quickly.
The key here is to follow the “Goldilocks window” – not too early, not too late. Generally, it is best to book domesticate flights one to three months before departure. For international flights, aim for two to eight months. Booking in this range will offer the best balance of availability and price. You’ll avoid high, last-minute, or early-bird prices. However, the Goldilocks window grows during peak seasons.
It is also best to use comparison and flexible search tools. Skyscanner offers “whole” month views and Google flights allows for “calendar view.” Both of these options enable you to find the cheapest dates. A good tip to remember is that it’s typically cheaper to fly on weekdays.
Find Affordable Accommodation and Food
Accommodation and food make up another significant cost in travel. As recurring expenses, they often dictate the total cost. After all, there is no way to enjoy a vacation without a comfortable bed to sleep in and tasty food to eat. In some cases, these aspects make the trip. If you are more frugal with these costs, then more money could be spent on activities and unique experiences.
While hotels are usually the most utilized accommodation, there are other – cheaper – options. Airbnbs and hostels are good choices. Some people imagine hostels to be filled with backpackers and people in their 20s, who all need to share rooms, but this is rarely the case. Many now offer secure private rooms, which is all you really need if you plan on sightseeing most days.
There are other ways to save money, though, even if you choose to stay in a hotel. It might be worthwhile phoning your chosen accommodation directly when booking, too. Remember, third-party sites typically include commission fees, so it would be best to avoid falling into that trap.
With food, try to avoid eating in restaurants each day. The cost of this quickly adds up. Instead, maybe seek out accommodation that has its own kitchen for cooking. You might even find local markets to buy produce at, avoiding tourist-heavy supermarkets and restaurants.
Focus on Cost-Effective Planning
With flights and accommodation sorted (fingers crossed!), you should move on to the smaller – but no less essential – factors. Sometimes, it’s the littlest aspects that cause the most financial strain. This is especially the case when booking activities and getting from A to B, so those should be two must-look-at topics.
What you do during a trip will be memorable. Sure, there is the risk that some memories aren’t as positive, but they still stick around. Pay attention to what and when you book excursions. There will be free tours that you could make the most of, and this would be a real money saver. However, if you do want to try some costly activities, then stick to a budget.
A budget is also vital for transport. Not every place you visit will be within walking distance, unfortunately. You might need to take a bus or tram at times. If you do, check the local area for cheaper day or week passes. Some destinations, like Edinburgh in Scotland, offer hop-on-hop-off sightseeing buses, meaning you pay once and get transport around the city for the day.
There are more serious factors to consider, though. Travel insurance, for example, must be looked at thoroughly. Not only will this save you money if something goes wrong, but annual trip insurance could cover all your trips for the year, providing essential peace of mind. This would save you a lot of hassle and money by ensuring all your vacations in 2026 are protected.
To conclude, traveling more is a worthwhile resolution, if you do it right. You should not jump into this with zero limits, as that is a fast way to lose money. Instead, look at how you could save money going ahead – and use the tips explained above to help you do just that.
