After years of pandemic, who doesn’t have the travel bug?!

Travelling allows you to meet new people, gain new experiences and snap a ‘unique selfie’ with an oversaturated monument. Yes, we’ve all seen those Leaning Tower of Pisa photos.

But travelling can also come with some pretty chunky costs - and these costs are hard to forecast from the other side of the world.

But what if we told you it doesn't have to be that way? Because there are always ways to cut back on your travel expenses without missing out on any of the fun.

We’ve got 6 juicy tips for you Flux Fam to make your next overseas trip a little more in reach.

1. Travel off-season

Travelling off-season is like getting a backstage pass to your favourite concert. There’s no elbowing your way through hordes of tourists and most excitingly it’s often a lot cheaper.

You might be surprised to find how much cheaper flights and accommodation costs can be when you’re not travelling during the peak season (like Summer in Europe or school holidays on the Gold Coast). 

And you can still holiday in good weather by travelling at the fringes of the season you want to go.

2. Be a frugal foodie:

Trying local cuisine is one of the best parts of travelling. Move over five-star restaurants, street food and local markets are your gourmet kitchen!

Try to find food places to eat where locals eat. You’ll usually find delicious options that are a lot cheaper than restaurants.

Plus, if you’ll be in one place for a while it might be worth finding accommodation with a kitchen like a hostel or homestay - it’ll save you on dining costs.

3. Take public transport:

It’s fair to say you haven't truly experienced a city until you've navigated its public transport system. And it’s a hell of a lot cheaper too!

Taxis and Ubers will chew into your budget before you know it - so think about using the public transport system, especially if you’re in a big city where it’s readily available. 

4. Don’t sleep on the free activities and events:

As they often say, the best things in life are free! And that’s the same for travel. Most cities offer tonnes of free activities that are super fun ways to explore. 

Often there are free walking tours to learn about the city’s history, or museums that don’t charge entry fees. Winning!

Hostel/hotel staff and Airbnb hosts will be able to help you out with free walking tours (the best way to appreciate a city), beaches and even city festivals.

You could easily spend a whole afternoon or even a day without spending a single dollar on activities.

5. Be strategic with your packing:

Every inch of your suitcase space should be considered precious real estate because baggage fees on flights can be hella exxy, especially at the airport. 

Try to pack light to avoid these fees or buy baggage beforehand if you need to. 

Even if you want to pack a variety of Insta-worthy fits, be strategic with the items you take. Choose versatile clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched, as well as travel-sized toiletries 

And if you’re travelling on no-frills airlines like Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet or Scoot - they’ll weigh (and charge you for) every last gram of your baggage.

(and charge you for) every last gram of your baggage.

6. Pay in local currency:

Paying in your home currency might seem convenient, but it's often a sneaky way for businesses to charge you more. 

If you’ve got a good travel card, it’s always better to pay in the local currency and let your bank pay the exchange rate rather than the payment terminal.

And it’s a good idea to keep some local cash too just incase you’re paying at places that don’t take card.