Organizing your trip represents a significant expense that might discourage you from going. Between train or plane tickets, accommodation, and food, numerous costs can inflate your vacation budget. However, there are common-sense solutions to help you save money. Here are a few.

1. Plan and compare travel services

Take the time to plan your trip and compare ticket prices. With a little patience, you can make significant savings. To do this, you can use platforms that highlight the cheapest tickets. To compare your flight tickets, Momondo and Skyscanner review flights on over 100 websites and always offer you the cheapest airfare. If you’re adventurous and enjoy surprises, you can choose to display only your departure airport, and the comparison sites will find the cheapest destinations for your travel dates from your home airport.

2. Or leave at the last minute

Last-minute trips are also a great opportunity to find bargains. Don’t have a preconceived idea of ​​your destination; let yourself be guided by the best offers and pack accordingly. Long live the charm of spontaneity!

3. Enjoy luxury travel at discounted prices

Traveling to a luxury destination on a budget is possible thanks to this discount website. For example, you can fly to Lisbon and stay two nights in a 5-star hotel for €277 instead of €665. Or, you could take a 3-day private tour of the Moroccan desert and enjoy a hot air balloon ride, all for €442 instead of €956 

4. If possible, travel off-season

As you probably know, some times of year are cheaper to travel than others. Christmas and summer holidays are the most expensive. But prices vary from country to country. For example, spring is the best time to travel to Guadeloupe. Plan your trip to travel during the best season. In Europe, it’s possible to find round-trip flights for under €30 to Andalusia, Germany, or Sicily in the fall, winter, and spring.

5. Find smart accommodation locally

There are several unusual and economical accommodation options. Couchsurfing was popularized by the TV show ” J’irai dormir chez vous” (I’ll Go Sleep at Your Place) and the friendly host Antoine de Maximy. Simply register on Couchsurfing and create your profile, indicating whether or not you’re willing to host couchsurfers in return.

Another option is house-sitting, where you become the caretaker of a home for absent owners. This also allows you to integrate into local life by getting to know the neighbors and friends of the regular residents. Opportunities aren’t easy to find because owners are demanding and the competition is fierce. But it’s worth a try by applying on Nomador (free for up to 3 requests). Take the time to perfect your profile to entice hosts to entrust you with their home, and even their pets and plants.

6. Eat and live locally

Beware of tourist traps and restaurants. They’re anything but authentic. By eating locally during your vacation, you’ll not only save money but also enjoy fresh, typical products. Don’t hesitate to ask locals for recommendations, nd don’t rely on popular tourist guides. However, depending on your destination, some bloggers share excellent tips. And since you won’t always be eating in restaurants, explore the markets. You’ll find seasonal produce and local dishes there, often cheaper and much better than in the supermarket.

7. Put your apartment up for rent

It’s not enough to just save money during your vacation; it’s even better to make money. By renting out your property on Airbnb (partner of The Corner *), you can offset some of the expenses you incurred during your holiday. If managing the rental bothers you, you can entrust all the work of managing your short-term rental property to a specialist like GuestReady. From creating the listing to check-out, including communicating with guests, welcoming them, and maintaining the property, GuestReady’s experts take care of everything. With this option, you can truly relax and enjoy the carefree feeling of a holiday!

8. Manage your budget and balance your accounts using dedicated apps

On vacation, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, and your budget can quickly exceed your expectations. Before you leave, to help you plan your expenses, the Planificateur à-Contresens website will give you an idea of ​​prices in your destination country, allowing you to find ways to save. Budgi is a handy app developed by a traveler to help you closely monitor your budget, taking into account local exchange rates.

What are the best budget travel accessories you have had the chance to try any of? Personally, after several years of backpacking, both solo and with others, I’ve managed to compile a small list of affordable and very useful accessories. Whether it’s better organizing my backpack, ensuring my safety, or simply making my life easier, these travel accessories are now essential! And when you want to start equipping yourself but your budget is tight, it’s always helpful to know which accessories are worth the investment.

However, when you start traveling, everyone has a different budget. That’s why I’ve decided to suggest 12 affordable travel accessories in this article, all costing €20 or less. So you can get properly equipped before your next adventure.

Silicone travel miniatures

For many years, Travel miniatures have become indispensable in my toiletry bag for tripsAnd more recently, I bought some silicone travel-size tubes, and it’s made all the difference! Silicone containers are so much easier to use: you’re sure to use all the product in the tube because it’s flexible. What’s more, the silicone material makes them very easy to wash between tripsAnd I must say, this is a crucial point. Indeed, when I previously used hard plastic containers, it was quite difficult to rinse them thoroughly enough to reuse them. With silicone, no problem! So, I’ve definitely adopted silicone travel miniatures. They come in several sizes and for all types of use.  I find the template easy to use, and if you’re looking for new travel accessories for your toiletry bag, then consider silicone travel miniatures!

The toothbrush cap

I only adopted the toothbrush cap a few years ago. Indeed, after several trips where I had to pack my often-wet toothbrush in my toiletry bag, I  wanted to find a solution to avoid these kinds of situations. In the future, I thought I’d find a simple box to store my toothbrush in, but that would be bulky. Finally, I discovered toothbrush caps, which protect the toothbrush head well in your toiletry bag and prevent it from coming into contact with anything else! The advantage? These caps are particularly affordable: approximately €4 for a pack of.6 Furthermore, they easily adapt to any type of toothbrush. It’s become one of my essential budget travel accessories

Washing sheets

Before leaving for my several-month trip to Asia, I was looking for a solution that would allow me to do some extra laundry, without having to rely on a laundry serviceFor example. I had already heard about laundry sheets, so I decided to give them a try on my trip. I must say that I was pleasantly surprisedIndeed, it takes up absolutely no space in my travel bag, it smells good, and it’s really inexpensive considering the number of washes it can do. However, I must point out that these laundry sheets are very good, but only for a quiwashese these are just for freshening up your clothes after a few days. If you need to deep clean and remove stubborn stains, I think you should use a laundromat! That’s not what these laundry sheets are for.

Merino wool undergloves

If you’re traveling in the fall or winter, then you might be looking for lightweight gloves to protect your hands from the cold. Look no further, Merino wool glove liners are the solutionWhenn I discovereMerinono wool glove liners when I lived in Canada, before my winter trip to Western Canada, I was looking for thin, lightweight gloves that would still keep me warm. I finally found what I was looking for in merino wool glove liners! The material was thin but really warm; it was the perfect solution for me. Indeed, they take up much less space than fleece glove liners, and are far more breathable too. What’s more, these glove liners are very affordable. So you can really equip yourself cheaply, even if you decide to travel in the cold season.

The merino wool t-shirt

AAgainpractical, attractive, and useful travel accessoryMerino wool is one of my favorite materials for the clothes I take with me when I travel. Indeed, this one is versatile and can be worn in both warm and cold weather, as merino wool regulates body temperature. And a significant advantage is that if you sweat, the fabric doesn’t retain odors. If you want to travel light, it’s truly an essential travel accessory. In your backpack or suitcase, inn my experience, merino wool is an essential item of clothing. But it has one drawback: its price. Merino wool is more expensive than regular cotton. And the higher the merino content of the garment, the higher the price. Fortunately, you can also very often find promotions, particularly at Decathlon. While the first merino wool t-shirts start at €25, you can easily find discounted t-shirts or tank tops that. That’s a great way to start adding some of this super practical, breathable, and easy-to-wear material to your backpack.

Flip-flops

No matter the trip, flip-flops are, in my opinion, the best choice a travel accessories that will never let you downIndeed, flip-flops aren’t just for the beach! Personally, I also use them in the showers at hostels, for example, or simply if I’m somewhere with a dirty floor. So, in my opinion, it’s always useful to have a pair on hand. And I don’t only use flip-flops when I’m traveling in the sun! Yes, I also pack them in my backpack for trips in the middle of winter or in a cold climate, for the same reasons mentioned above. Finally, flip-flops are among the very affordable travel accessories. You can find them at all prices, and you can find them everywhere! You will therefore have no problem obtaining them before your next trip, or even during your trip.

The flexible combination padlock

Before leaving to travel for several months in Asa, I started looking for a very specific new padlock. Indeed, I wanted a padlock with a flexible shacklewhich thus adapts very easily to any opening. After a few mishaps in Slovenia, where my padlock was clearly too small to close my locker in the hostel, it was time to buy a more suitable one. After some research and especially two and a half months of using it while traveling, I must admit it this is the best style of padlock I have ever experienced. It is now one of my travel essentials. Having a good, sturdy, and above all, versatile padlock is essential for going on a tripEven on a small budget, you can find some that will be very useful. I advise you to have at least two with you: for example, if you are traveling with two backpacks or if your bag has several compartments that can be locked.

The secret pouch

How can we talk about budget travel accessories without mentioning the secret pouch? For many years, I have always carried this secret pouch with me, whether I use its “secret” aspect or not.
First of all, I appreciate its format: Small enough to hold everything I need, but very practical at the same time. I avoid having to carry a whole wallet with me, which is much more cumbersome! I call it a secret pocket, because its primary function is to be attached to the belt so that it can be hidden under a t-shirt or inside trousers. When traveling to a destination where muggings are commonplace, this is particularly practical and reassuring. There are many models of secret pouches available; however, I find that this model is the most discreet, in addition to being affordable. Personally, I attach it to the inside of my shoulder bag.

Storage cubes

Having a well-organized backpack is, in my opinion, essential for freeing yourself from mental strain while traveling. And for that, nothing beats packing cubes. After several years of testing different brands and various features, I finally opted for the packing cubes from Decathlon. However, the market for storage cubes is large and diverse. So you’re sure to find the perfect fit! No matter the size, material, or function, these storage cubes are easily adaptable to the size of your bag and your needs. In my case, I use them to neatly organize my clothes in my backpack and avoid making a mess. Be careful, though: there are many different storage cubes available, but also prices that can vary from one to two times as much. That’s why I advise you to start by buying a fairly affordable cube. You can easily find kits for €10 or less at Decathlon or Ikea. With straps, mesh flaps, compression closures… they offer a multitude of features. This will allow you to be well-equipped for your trip, and at a lower cost!

The foldable bag

Small, foldable, and practical, the foldablebaindispensablepensablef. Iou travel light. And the foldable travel backpack has become much more widespread in recent years. Now, you can find many different brands. ranging from 10L to 30L! If you decide to travel with only cabin baggage, then you will most certainly find a use for the foldable backpack. Indeed, it will serve as an extra bag for the day, or simply for going shopping.  Once folded and stored, it takes up very little weight and even less space. In short, this little bag is a great find that I recommend you try if you have a use for it. But be careful, the foldable backpack does have its limitations, however. I t’s lightweight and therefore not ideal if you want to carry a lot of things. But it’s still a very good daypack for everyday use.

The collapsible water bottle

I discovered the existence of the collapsible water bottle quite recently: about two years ago! And since this, this travel accessory never leaves my side. Before, I used to travel with a hard plastic or stainless steel water bottle. However, I always ran into problems with weight or volume. Since I travel with carry-on luggage, every gram counts when it comes to optimizing the weight of my backpack! When empty, the stainless steel water bottle was taking on too much unnecessary The plastic water bottle, on the other hand, took up too much space on the side of my backpack. That’s why the collapsible water bottle solved all my problems. Lightweight, foldable, and easy to use, it allows you to carry a container without it taking up unnecessary space or weight in your bag. They are available in several different capacities: To keep the price under €20, I recommend you go for the 0.7L capacity water bottle.

The meat bag

I spent many years travelling without carrying a sleeping bag liner. While the name might sound barbaric, it’s also called a silk sheet or sleeping bag liner. In fact, it’s simply a sheet you slip into! Finally, it was in 2026, for my Kilimanjaro climb, that I acquired one for the first time. A nd I was convinced, whether it’s for sleeping in a sleeping bag (if, like me, you don’t like the feel of the material of a sleeping bag)or to sleep in a hostel when you doubt the cleanliness osheetsheetsI used mine a lot. During my several-month trip to Southeast Asia, I was grateful I’d brought it with me. Indeed, I sometimes ended up in accommodations where the cleanliness of the beds was questionable. Sleeping in my sleeping bag, which I knew was clean, brought me a little peace of mind. Moreover, they are available for all budgets.

Jersey is one of the Channel Islands located between France and England, about 60 kilometers from Saint-Malo. For its British culture and island landscapes really wanted to visit the islands of Jersey and Guernsey. So I spent a weekend exploring Jersey and visiting this small island in the English ChannelAnd I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by this island! I discovered many fascinating places to visit, as well as stunning landscapes that make it a top destination.

Transportation

Getting to Jersey can be quite expensive: even a day trip, a ferry crossing costs at least €80. Once there, the nicest way is to get around by bike! Nevertheless, Liberty Bus’s public transport service is very wedevelopeddIt allows you to get around almost every corner of the island without any problems. So it’s a great solution if you don’t want to rent a car or bike.

car jersey A round-trip ferry ride from Saint-Malo to Jersey: €82
Renting a bicycle for two days:£32 (€37.56)
Price of a bus ticket on the Liberty Bus service:£2.10 (€2.46)

Housing

Accommodation in Jersey is relatively expensive and scarce, as soon as you move away from St. Helier, the capital. It’s therefore essential to book well in advance and compare prices between different establishments.

One night for two people in a hotel:€90
A bed in a dormitory at a youth hostel:€45per night

Food and drinks

Food and drinks weren’t the biggest expense of my weekend in Jersey. In fact, I was expecting them to be much more expensive, given the exchange rate with the pound. While prices aren’t exactly low everywhere, it’s possible to find some relatively reasonable options.

A glass of red wine:£7 (€8.21)
A cappuccino:£3.50 (€4.10)
A dish in a cafe:£9.50 (€11.15)
Fish and chips:£7 (€8.21)

Activities

In Jersey, there’s no shortage of things to do: museums and castles abound, so there’s plenty to keep you busy! However, these activities can quickly inflate your budget. That’s why it’s essential to do your research beforehand, especially if you want to stick to your budget.

One adult entry to the Château de Mont Orgueil:£13.95 (€16.37)
An adult ticket to the World War II Tunnels:£16 (€18.78)
A Heritage Pass:£36.75 (€43.14)
An entrance to Elizabeth Castle:£13.20 (€15.49)

My tips for visiting Jersey

If you go at the right time of year,don’tt hesitate to rent bikes to tour the island.T here are many cycle paths, and they are very well maintained. However, watch out for the slight inclinTaketake a look at the Heritage PassIf you’re planning to visit several castles and museums, this pass allows you to visit 4 attractions for the price of 3, which I think is quite advantageous.
All the streets have French names, but don’t be fooled: in Jersey, they speak English! Think abBeforeou leave, note down some viewpoints you’d like to see.T here are many viewpoints and landscapes, so it’s best to make a selection before leaving!

My favorite places to visit in Jersey

Restaurants & cafes

Colleen’s Café, La Grève de Lecq, St Ouen, Jersey . This small, family-run café is ideal for a break overlooking the sea. The owner is very friendly, the atmosphere is great, and the café has a terrace if you want to enjoy the outdoors. Eastside Coffee ShopMont du Boulevard, Gorey, Jersey. This uniquely decorated café is located right on Gorey’s harbor. It’s the perfect place to stop for a coffee before visiting Mont Orgueil Castle, and in my opinion, the coffee is excellent. The Good Egg Beach Café3 Mount Bingham, St. Helier, Jersey. I loved this little café along the beach! It’s the perfect place to stop for lunch: the food is good, plentiful, and there’s a variety of choices. Don’t hesitate to reserve a table on the upper terrace for a better view. The HideoutPulente Road, Jersey.T his small beach shack serves simple but very good food: burgers, wraps, rolls, with plenty of vegetarian options and drinks. It’s a great spot for a quick but enjoyable meal! I loved discovering Jersey, which for me is the perfect weekend getaway. The budget required is certainly higher than average, but by finding the right places to stay, you can easily find what you’re looking for and enjoy yourself.

The travel budget is often the crux of the matter. Whether you’re a broke student wanting to travel for as long as possible or simply a bargain hunter, Everyone wants to get their money’s worth when they go traveling. And for that, there’s no magic formula. You have to prepare well and estimate your travel budget as accurately as possible.
You might already know how much you can allocate to your trip before you even leave, or perhaps it’s still vague, but the destination is already chosen! Whichever category you fall into, the budget remains a key issueAnd through my travels, I learned to better estimate how much I would spend while traveling. Whether my budget was tight or more generous, the rule is the same in my opinion: respect your budget, and above all, don’t feel frustrated!

Why estimate your travel budget?

For me, organizing my trip starts with organizing and estimating my budget. It’s essential to spend time estimating your travel budget before you even leave.m ay counterproductive all, you haven’t even arrived at your destination yet. So you only have a vague idea of ​​the cost of living there. What’s more, you might be afraid of getting discouraged when you realize your budget won’t allow you to do all the activities you had planned, or to travel for very long! However, it is precisely for these reasons that I advise everyone to consider the budget. And this should be done even before finishing packing their backpack or suitcase! The reasons are multiple: your budget is quite tight, which will give you enough time to look for good deals and free activities that will allow you to enjoy yourself at a lower cost. If you have no idea how much you’ll have to spend there, this will give you a more precise idea. This wallow younity to find out about certain activities(and perhaps book them in advance due to their popularity), you might realize that your budget is more generous than you thought, and that’s always a pleasant surprise! Therefore, in my opinion, you shouldn’t see estimating your travel budget as a punishment or a bburdenOn the contrary, it’s an essential step in preparing for your trip. Thanks to this, you’ll leave with greater peace of mind! And as a bonus, you won’t have to worry about checking your bank account balance when you get back from your trip.

How to estimate your travel budget?

To estimate your travel budget, I recommend using a Google Sheets spreadsheet or a spreadsheet created in Notion RegardForss

For your choice, I suggest you create three columns, corresponding to three types of expenses:

• pre-departure expenses,
• expenses incurred on-site,
• emergency, or last-minute expenses.

By listing these three categories, you will be able to accurately estimate each category of expenses separatelyTherefore, you will quickly be able to see where you can potentially save money or reduce expenses.

Pre-departure expenses

Pre-departure expenses correspond to all the expenses you’ll settle before leaving could include plane tickets, car rental, your visa, passport renewal, or even accommodation for the first few days. I also include travel insurance, or vaccinations if any are recommended for your destination. If you haven’t booked anything for your trip yet, this can help you estimate the cost of round-trip transportation. You will also be able to assess the “mandatory” expensessuch as visas or accommodation. If you’re not sure where to look to estimate these pre-departure expenses, here are a few websites that might be helpful.

On-site expenses

local expenses, and estimating your travel budget.t On-site expenses may be more difficult to estimate before ddepartureyou’ve never been to your future destination, you might indeed wonder how much you’ll spend there! What’s more, this category is very subjective: it all depends on your travel style. Furthermore, a person will not spend the same amount during a trip to Canada if they travel in hostels and use local transportation, as if they stay in nice hotels and travel by plane.

To learn more, check out other travel blogs. ogs

Don’t hesitate to also check out budgets shared by other people on blogs or YouTube videos. It will be easier to find people who travel in the same way a  you. They will give you a budget that corresponds to what you can expect. Here are some other travel blogs that regularly share their budgets for different destinations. This will help you estimate your own travel budget more easily!

It is also in this category that can include the price of certain activities that you absolutely want to do during your tripYou can also search online for the prices of these activities. This will be quite useful if you absolutely want to do a somewhat expensive activity and therefore need to factor the cost into your travel budget.

My tips for spending money while you’re there
To estimate expenses on site as accurately as possible, my advice is to calculate an average of the different budgets you can find online for the different expense categories listed: transportation, accommodation, activities, food and drinks, miscellaneous expenses, etc.
From this average, you can then:

Either add 20% if you like to treat yourself while traveling, for example, like me, in terms of food, or by not necessarily choosing the cheapest hostels,
Or, on the contrary, remove 20%: if your budget is really limited and you’re traveling cheaply.
Of course, make sure that this remains realistic based on the prices of accommodation and activities that you can find online.

Emergency expenses

Finally, to accurately estimate your travel budget, it is essential to think about No matter what situation you don’t want to face, you need to be prepared. Here are a few scenarios that could (or might not) happen to you during your trip:

• You want to go home earlier,
  You change your travel plans,
  You need to change your accommodation urgently.
  You need to go to the hospital.
  Your mobile phone gets stolen.
  Your backpack was lost by the airline.

As you can see, it is important to set aside a certain amount of money in case of an emergency. In my case, I’ve already had to change accommodation urgently because I didn’t feel comfortable in my dorm. I’ve also had to buy a new plane ticket to change my itinerary. Finally, more recently, I spent a small amount on medication and bandages after a scooter accident in Indonesia. Obviously, I would have preferred not to encounter these situations while traveling; nevertheless, I had planned to cover these unexpected expenses if needed.

My method

To calculate the amount to allocate to emergency expenses, here’s the method I use. I calculate my travel budget by adding my estimated pre-departure expenses to my estimated expenses on-site. Finally, I calculated 20% this amount. You then obtain what corresponds to what you should have set aside to cover emergency expenses.
For example, if your travel budget (pre-departure expenses + expenses on-site) is €1000, then you should set aside 20% of this amount (i.e., an additional €200) for emergency expenses. Obviously, this amount remains approximate and obviously cannot cover every eventuality. However, it’s a safety net that you’ll be very glad to have if you ever have to spend more than necessary in an unforeseen situation.