Table of Contents
Introduction
A question I’m often always asked is how do I afford to travel soooooo much around the world. And it’s a fair question ‘How are people able to afford travel? Like isn’t travel for rich people? Simple answer. No. The longer answer on how to afford travelling the world is below:
The amount of times people have said travelling is expensive I am always shocked because while travelling is an expense. It honestly doesn’t have to be expensive. Like do you know how much day trips are? Some flights are less than £50.
I recall people in the past telling me that they want to travel, but that it was expensive and I actually came to realise that majority of these people had no idea how to even begin organising a holiday. It had always been something they wanted to do, but in their minds they simply wrote themselves off and said they couldn’t afford travel. The thought of booking a flight, comparing flight prices, booking a hotel, looking for tours or even just going was just too overwhelming for them.
And I get it not everyone likes day trips. And travel can feel like it’s only for the rich or influencers on brand trips. But here’s the truth: I’ve been to 60+ countries (without a single brand deal) and I promise you, it doesn’t have to break the bank. I have caught flights and trains around Europe under £100. Travelled to more than one country long-haul for less than £500 all because I do two things priorities my travel and remain flexible. The secret isn’t about being wealthy, it’s actually about planning smart, staying flexible, and knowing where to look for the best deals. And of course today, MBV’s about to help you afford travel when you think you can’t.
Related post: Stop Waiting for Your Friends Starter Guide
1. Flexibility Is Your Superpower
If you’re flexible with your dates and destinations, you can save hundreds on airfare. How do you afford travel with cheap flights? It’s easy. Instead of saying “I must go to Italy in July,” flip it: say, “I want to travel in July, where can I go affordably?” or “Italy is more affordable in September, why don’t I book a trip then.” I would suggest using the following websites to secure strategic flight deals.
- Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ Feature → shows you the cheapest destinations from your city and if you don’t mind where you are going you can go somewhere for under £50 RT.
- Google Flights Explore → will let you plug in dates and see a map of affordable options worldwide.
A lot of my travels are because I will book a I a flight with a long layover if I have to. I recently did this when I travelled to Peru did a long layover in New York and went to see my friends in Manhattan. Flexibility creates adventures you didn’t even plan for.
2. My Go-To Flight Tools
- Skyscanner → Best for comparing across multiple airlines.
- FlyCheaply (Hacker Fares) → Sends over cheap flights and flights deals around the world.
- Google Flights → Best for flexible searches and alerts.
- JackFlights → Sends you cheap flights from the Uk (and it’s surprisingly accurate).
Don’t just search one website. Always compare at least two or three platforms before making a purchase. And use Quidco before using these websites.
3. Sign Up for Alerts & Newsletters
- Price Alerts → Turn them on in Skyscanner, FlyCheaply (now has a Whatsapp channel that you can join), or even get a Eurosnap train ticket. They’ll email you when fares drop.
- Airline and Train Newsletters → Yes, I know inbox spam. Create a separate “travel deals” email account so you never miss flash sales or mistake fares.
I recently grabbed a £75 return ticket to Brussels simply because I caught a flash sale on Eurostar and it was totally worth it honestly.
4. Try Alternative Airports
Sometimes, flying into a smaller airport saves money. For example, flying into Gatwick instead of Heathrow, Pisa instead of Florence or La Guardia instead of JFK. I’ve done all six and the cost can vary drastically.
Just make sure the cost of getting from the alternative airport doesn’t wipe out the savings. And always calculate the cost from your home or accommodation to the airport. No point getting a flight from an airport just because the flight is cheap if you know you’re gonna have to pay a fortune to get to the airport.
5. Use Points & Travel Cards
If you can manage a credit card responsibly, sign up for one with a travel rewards program.
- Collect air miles every time you shop. I signed up for RoyalAirMorocco because I always travel with them.
- Many cards give welcome bonuses big enough for a free flight. I use American Express which you can also apply for here. With this card I get free airport lounge access, travel insurance and other major perks.
6. Extra MBV Travel Hacks
- Flights are usually cheaper on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. I have noted that flying during the weekend can be a little more pricer especially if you are considering day trips.
- Red-eye flights (overnight) often cost less, so get you a flight that leaves 6 am in the morning, get a coach at 3 am honestly if you want to travel you have to make the sacrifices.
- Book around 180-90 days in advance for the sweet spot. I sometimes book months in advance.
- Clear your cookies before searching (prices sometimes can rise after repeat searches). I saw this happen when me and my friends booked to go Hong Kong, I was the last to book and the flight doubled for me.
- Consider doing day trips abroad. I have done many day trips in Europe like Venice, Copenhagen, Berlin and more. honestly day trips are the way forward.
Final Views
And there you have it how to afford travel when you think everyones doing it with millions of pounds. You honestly don’t have to be rich to travel and see the world. Personally, if you know how to find travel deals and don’t mind travelling with some exceptions then travel can be very very affordable. Trust me it is so much more cheaper than a PlayStation or an XBox. And it’s even more cheaper than going out to brunch or dinner every week.
Travel isn’t about being wealthy. It’s about prioritising it, being flexible, and making the most of the travel websites you have. I’ve used these exact hacks to make my travels possible and you can too. If you are looking for quick easy travel websites then check out the MBV’s Ultimate Travel Tools Cheat Sheet FREE for you to help you actually plan your trips.
If this post helped you be sure to subscribe as I will be always sharing travel tips to save you money. And I’m always happy to help so please do send me a DM via Instagram or TikTok whatever you prefer. Or better yet, drop me an email at info@mybreakingviews.com. I really want to see more people like me travel, because when I started it wasn’t a norm.
Speak soon,
MBV
