Over the past few years, I’ve had a lot of people ask me about my travels – especially how I got started with solo travel.
Questions like: Where do I begin? How do I choose locations? And how much does it cost, really?
As travel prices continue to rise, I’ve also been asked about ways to cut costs – How do you avoid overpriced package holidays? How do you get more value for your money?
So, in this blog I’ll be sharing practical tips to help you get started- or give you new ideas beyond what you may already know.
Let’s start with some general travel advice.
Starting With the Basics
I’ve spoken to people who have dream destinations in mind but have never started research to form a rough budget.
Others often rely on package holidays without realising how much they could save (or gain) by trying alternative methods.
And then there are those who dream of a complete change of routine – a hiatus! If that’s you, what kind of opportunities are actually out there?
Breaking Down Travel Costs
I remember telling people about my solo trip to Southeast Asia. Many assumed I was spending a fortune but when I broke down the actual costs, they were shocked.
Why? Because people had assumed the worst, without even checking.
Remember, don’t count yourself out of experiences because of a lack of information or a limited mindset – don’t cancel yourself out before you even try.
So, let’s explore a few foundational tips and tools to help bring those travel ideas to life. We’ll dive deeper into longer trips, solo travel and building itineraries in the next blog.
First Things First: Passport? Check. Visa? Check. Let's Go!
Let’s start with the basics – it may sound obvious, but it’s worth repeating because of the stories I’ve heard: keep your passport up to date and ready to go! In most cases, your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to enter your destination. This is a general guideline, so it’s always wise to check the specific entry requirements for your destination, either through the country’s embassy or reliable sources like the UK Foreign Office website, for those of us in the UK.
Be sure to allow enough time for any passport renewals before your trip, or be prepared to pay for expedited processing if you’re in a rush.
And one more important reminder: always check visa requirements for your destination, including for any countries you’ll transit through. Sometimes you’ll see a visa notice when booking flights on an airline’s website, but it’s still best to double-check through official channels.
Flight Search Tips
My favourite flight search engine: Skyscanner
It compares prices across a wide range of airlines and dates, so you can easily find the cheapest days to fly.
Always double-check the luggage allowance before you book. Flights these days often display a base price that excludes checked luggage. Once you add a bag, the cost increases – so don’t rush in without checking the details!
I also still check prices using the Google engine, just to see if more options are available.
Where to Stay: Accommodation Tools
My Top Picks:
Booking.com – Offers hotels, homestays (where you stay with locals), hostels and apartments. Regular users can access membership discounts. I sometimes cross-reference hotel reviews on TripAdvisor too.
Airbnb – Great for long stays or a more local experience. Be sure to select entire place if you prefer not to house-share. It’s easy to get caught out thinking you’ve snagged a bargain, only to realise it’s just a room in someone’s home. Double check the details!
Agoda and Google are further options, if you still want more choice.
Don’t Overlook Travel Agents
Travel agents can still play a valuable role – particularly for:
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Finding package deals
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Set up payment plans for solo or group trips
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Tailoring travel experiences to your needs
(By the way, I’m now qualified as an independent travel agent and will be offering (limited) itinerary creation and travel booking services in future!)
Budget Travel Tools
Kayak Explore
A useful feature that helps you discover destinations based on your budget and travel preferences. You can set a spending limit, departure airport and holiday type, and it shows you destinations that match. You can filter results by activities, season or language spoken. It’s also easy to share with friends or travel groups.
Kayak Best Time to Travel is a similar feature; if you already have a trip in mind, tap the details in to see when would be the best time to travel for a good price.
Kayak – Use the menu on the top left of the home screen to navigate to both tools.
Family Travel Ideas
Some UK airlines offer free kids’ places with package holidays – definitely worth checking before you book.
Typically, one child travels free per two paying adults and the deal includes:
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Return flights
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Transfers
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Hotel stay
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Checked baggage (23kg on selected trips)
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Food & drink (depending on your board choice)
Look out for flash deals, too. In 2023, EasyJet launched a great initiative called Grans Go Free – encouraging three-generation holidays, by offering free places to grandparents. A friend of mine grabbed that one quickly! In 2024, Virgin Cruises offered a young adult place (18-26) to sail free with a parent. These deals are no longer available but it’s a great reminder to always check for deals before you book.
Travel Deal Newsletters
Subscribing to newsletters can help you catch flash deals, error fares, off-season rates, and destination inspiration. If you’re flexible with dates or location, this is a helpful tool. Personally, I don’t subscribe – I don’t need more temptation in my inbox! But it’s worth it if you’re ready to jump on a deal.
Newsletters to Check Out:
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Jack’s Flight Club – best for UK, Ireland, Europe
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Going – best for U.S. travellers
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Travel Zoo – global travel deals
Unique & Affordable Travel Experiences
Looking for something a little different? Travel isn’t just about holidays – there are interesting experiences and cultural exchanges at lower costs too.
• Workaway
A great platform connecting travellers with hosts worldwide who offer free accommodation and meals in exchange for help with various tasks. You could assist in a beach bar, hostel, house sitting, NGO or even farming. In 2018, I considered joining a project in Brazil for young women, but they had just filled their final volunteer spot when I applied. I also received offers from Puerto Rico and Costa Rica – mostly for beach bar work. You typically work a max of 5 hours per day, leaving plenty of time to explore or work on personal projects. It’s an affordable and purposeful way to travel for longer periods of time.
• Race Across the World (UK)
One of the few shows I actually watch! Contestants race across countries on a limited budget – no flights or smartphones allowed. New applicants can apply each season. My mum keeps pushing me to apply with my brother and I’ve tried convincing my friend to do it too (but none of us can be convinced lol). Either way, it’s a fun and adventurous challenge if you’re up for it.
• Visa Opportunities
From Golden Visas (aimed at large property investors and entrepreneurs) to Digital Nomad Visas, more countries are offering longer-term stay options. The Digital Nomad Visa is a great opportunity to explore; there are now 40+ countries where you can live and work remotely, with tax exemptions on foreign income. Some countries have income requirements, others don’t. Options exist in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe – check this article for a comprehensive list: Digital Nomad Visas for Remote Work: The Complete 2025 List
Right, that’s part 1! We’ll cover itinerary planning and a whole bunch of solo travel tips in the next post.
In the meantime, thanks for reading – and happy planning.
D xo