The focus of this site is affordable luxury travel. However, what you choose for luxury and where you choose to save is a very personal matter, even with the advice I will offer here and in my other writings. These suggestions are based on my visits to about 55 different countries. They are the reason I am able to travel in luxury while yet monitoring my expenses. If that concept resonates with you, continue reading for my top ten suggestions.
1. "Upscale" and "budget" are subjective terms.
I've spoken to tourists who always take international economy flights in order to save money for things like entertainment, dining, and lodging. For them, that makes sense. It's not my style. Having lengthy legs, a history of back pain, and little personal "padding," I can't stand spending 14 hours in a coach seat. I like business class seats that are luxurious and lie-flat. I'm rested and eager to enjoy the first day when I go to my foreign trip. It's an individual matter.
However, that implies that, even though the vacation has just begun, I may already be thousands of dollars over budget. I must thus look for alternative ways to save money without sacrificing the experience.
Determining what luxury travel on a budget means to you is crucial. Make a decision now, not later, when you are doing your research and organizing your trip. Which memories do you cherish? You might never forget that amazing dinner you had for hundreds of dollars, or you might recall the unique street cuisine you preferred over a fancy restaurant. These are the recollections you have of your trip. Consider what is important to you!
2. A few exceptional sites are also reasonably priced.
With good reason, everyone visiting Europe wants to see Paris and London. However, they can also be highly costly. Prague and other Central European towns, on the other hand, can be fantastic for a significantly lower cost. Look into other places to go. Think about Madrid instead of Barcelona or Budapest instead of Vienna.
Bangkok continues to be Asia's most cheap gem. For less than $200 per night, I have stayed numerous times at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel in the center of Bangkok (which even includes one of the best international buffet breakfasts on the planet). Bangkok offers affordable food, transportation, and even top-notch medical care (ask me how I know). Nevertheless, you are in a fantastic city with a captivating culture, making it the ideal, approachable starting point for traveling around the remainder of Thailand and Southeast Asia.
When I say "think outside the box," I mean the typical tourist spots. Hollywood, Washington, D.C., and New York City are the most expensive destinations for all of the tour groups in North America. However, Orange County offers a more sophisticated SoCal feel, Austin offers delicious food, and Charleston offers history. And for history, cuisine, and high-end living, explore San Miguel de Allende rather than Mexico City!
3. Avoid the pricey city.
Switzerland's most costly city, Zurich, is frequently the destination for tourists who wish to explore the country. However, the country's train infrastructure is so good that it makes far more sense to pick a base like Bern or Luzern. You may take day trips to see sights like Gruyères, Lauterbrunnen, Jungfrau, and many more in Switzerland, and then come back to a great city that is less expensive and simpler to get around than Zurich.
Although Florence is charming and worth seeing, it is not the ideal place to spend a long time exploring Tuscany, which you should. We believe that Montepulciano, a historic city, is the ideal starting point for our daily road journeys throughout the region with our Mercedes-Benz rental after a brief stay in Florence. Investigate. We reserve a lovely two-bedroom house for cheaper than a hotel room in Florence.
Speaking of Italy, think about spending a day in Venice while lodging in the quaint city of Verona. There is a comfortable high-speed rail that connects the two cities in just over an hour.
The countryside of Paris may also be breathtaking. There are around 300 châteaux in the Loire Valley. We are just 70km from Paris by train, and we have a 14th-century mansion all to ourselves.
4. Reserve a vacation rental and stay longer in one location.
By remaining in one location, we were able to explore a region in the aforementioned situations. Using that approach, you can start considering vacation rentals as a hotel substitute. Look at websites like VRBO and Airbnb, but also look for platforms that are particular to a given area. You can find websites like Home Club, Inspirato, Genteel Home, Casa Malasana, Likibu, The Luxury Travel Book, Plum Guide, and more if you Google "luxury vacation rentals in Madrid."
Due to cleaning and other fixed expenditures, vacation rentals can be highly costly for short-term stays. However, if you spread out the costs over a week, you can live well on a budget. Additionally, you may now save even more money by cooking some of your own meals.
Timeshare units can now be reserved just like hotel rooms. Rather than a hotel, we stay at the Westin Ocean Resort Villas on Maui. We found a fantastic golf course condo in the center of Princeville, Kauai, using VRBO. You can, too!
5. Make the most of shoulder season
Families are frequently unable to travel during the summer months, which increases the cost and burden of vacation travel. You should definitely travel at other times if you are able to. Find out when shoulder season is in your planned location; it will vary depending on where you are going. Check the monthly weather trends as well, as it may indicate a higher likelihood of rain or lower temperatures.
October is a great month for us to visit North America and Europe. The weather can still be good, costs are frequently significantly lower, and summer crowds have left. We are thrilled to see some snow and fall foliage during our week-long stay in Jackson Hole in October. For instance, rooms at the Four Seasons can cost three times as much during the ski season and twice as much in the summer.
Visitors can enjoy world-class skiing in the winter and stunning hiking in the summer in Zermatt, Switzerland, which is a sanctuary (and heaven). In October, we come. The hike is equally amazing and the weather is fantastic, but lodging is significantly less expensive.
Weekend travel hotspots can also transition from high-end to low-cost lodging throughout the week. For a Monday through Thursday stay in November, our Lake Arrowhead, California Airbnb home is fairly priced.
6. Look up airfare on several websites.
Expedia is where I normally start when looking up flights. You might have a preferred platform, like Kayak, Skyscanner, etc. Keep in mind that these suppliers do not list all airlines. If you have flexible dates, be sure to look into it. Day of the week can have a significant impact on airfare.
I also examine the airline's website after I locate a potential flight. My loyalty status occasionally results in improvements to the cost of my tickets, luggage fees, and seat assignment. I then often make my reservation straight with the airline. In my experience, I would rather deal with the airline's customer service than a third party if there were a problem later. I haven't made a reservation with Expedia since 2013. Expedia's response to the cancellation of my ticket from Chiang Mai, Thailand was to arrange for me to take a flight two days later! There was no assistance from their customer care. Naturally, I canceled the ticket and later that same day, I made my own direct flight out of Chiang Mai.
7. Additionally, look for accommodations on several websites.
The hotel systems are decent, in contrast to third-party websites for airlines. I frequently use Booking.com, and I've never experienced any issues. Their "genius" discounts can actually help you save money. Google Travel is a good place to start your inquiry because it compiles prices from several websites.
Like with airlines, I frequently end myself making a direct hotel reservation, particularly if my reward status takes effect. I might even get a suite or a complimentary breakfast as a result. In actuality, however, loyalty programs are no longer as beneficial as they once were. After Marriott acquired Starwood, everything took a turn for the worst.
8. To save time and money, choose local guides.
I contacted a local tour company to book a car from the Hanoi airport to my hotel because it was my first time in Vietnam. At less than $40, I felt the price was fair. The driver was joined by a guide who spoke English. The guide asked me how long I needed to refresh up before the night's expedition when we arrived at my hotel. What? Yes, that cost covered the safe return to my accommodation, a private tour of Hanoi, limitless street food and beer, and the airport ride. After that, I would travel to Ninh Binh, Tho Ha, and Bai Tu Long Bay every day using the family-run Custom Asia Travel. Although it is genuinely luxurious, a personalized, private experience is affordable.
I navigated Myanmar using the same method, learning a lot from a different guide in each area. My driver also served as a guide in Laos. We had the beautiful Kuang Si Falls to ourselves when we were there. Following his advise, we decided to take pictures of the same butterflies in the wild instead of visiting the butterfly park. I didn't learn that my driver/guide was also the mayor of a Luang Prabang district until we visited his house later that day!
The lesson is to experience luxury travel on a budget while immersing oneself in the local way of life.
9. Bring your own supplies.
Typically, half of my carry-on bag is made up of supplies and the other half of clothes. I bring my own coffee with me everywhere I go because I drink it first thing in the morning. It's better than paying four euros for each gulp of expresso or attempting to locate a café open at six in the morning.
I also have a quart-sized Ziploc bag with a U.S. pharmacy. Try purchasing eye drops in Cambodia when the pharmacist doesn't speak your language and all the contents are listed in Khmer. Actually, I have two bags: one for external brands (think Neosporin) and one for internal brands (like Alka-Selzer). economical, reassuring, and convenient.
10. When others zag, zig
Determining what matters to you and knowing when to save and when to spend is the foundation of budget-friendly luxury travel. It frequently entails defying expectations. I used to take a taxi from the Beijing airport to my apartment, like most foreigners do, but I eventually discovered that taking the metro would be far less expensive and time-consuming. In Bangkok, I do the same thing. Now, I'll always look for that possibility.
For convenience, some advise scheduling a full meal plan at your hotel. I would prefer to choose a restaurant that is well-liked by the people and typically offers superior meals at a more affordable price. Following the herd is not the goal. Create your own trip memories by following your intuition and your heart.
Have you got any inquiries? Do you have any recommendations of your own to assist others? Please feel free to leave a remark below this post.
1. "Upscale" and "budget" are subjective terms.
I've spoken to tourists who always take international economy flights in order to save money for things like entertainment, dining, and lodging. For them, that makes sense. It's not my style. Having lengthy legs, a history of back pain, and little personal "padding," I can't stand spending 14 hours in a coach seat. I like business class seats that are luxurious and lie-flat. I'm rested and eager to enjoy the first day when I go to my foreign trip. It's an individual matter.
However, that implies that, even though the vacation has just begun, I may already be thousands of dollars over budget. I must thus look for alternative ways to save money without sacrificing the experience.
Determining what luxury travel on a budget means to you is crucial. Make a decision now, not later, when you are doing your research and organizing your trip. Which memories do you cherish? You might never forget that amazing dinner you had for hundreds of dollars, or you might recall the unique street cuisine you preferred over a fancy restaurant. These are the recollections you have of your trip. Consider what is important to you!
2. A few exceptional sites are also reasonably priced.
With good reason, everyone visiting Europe wants to see Paris and London. However, they can also be highly costly. Prague and other Central European towns, on the other hand, can be fantastic for a significantly lower cost. Look into other places to go. Think about Madrid instead of Barcelona or Budapest instead of Vienna.
Bangkok continues to be Asia's most cheap gem. For less than $200 per night, I have stayed numerous times at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel in the center of Bangkok (which even includes one of the best international buffet breakfasts on the planet). Bangkok offers affordable food, transportation, and even top-notch medical care (ask me how I know). Nevertheless, you are in a fantastic city with a captivating culture, making it the ideal, approachable starting point for traveling around the remainder of Thailand and Southeast Asia.
When I say "think outside the box," I mean the typical tourist spots. Hollywood, Washington, D.C., and New York City are the most expensive destinations for all of the tour groups in North America. However, Orange County offers a more sophisticated SoCal feel, Austin offers delicious food, and Charleston offers history. And for history, cuisine, and high-end living, explore San Miguel de Allende rather than Mexico City!
3. Avoid the pricey city.
Switzerland's most costly city, Zurich, is frequently the destination for tourists who wish to explore the country. However, the country's train infrastructure is so good that it makes far more sense to pick a base like Bern or Luzern. You may take day trips to see sights like Gruyères, Lauterbrunnen, Jungfrau, and many more in Switzerland, and then come back to a great city that is less expensive and simpler to get around than Zurich.
Although Florence is charming and worth seeing, it is not the ideal place to spend a long time exploring Tuscany, which you should. We believe that Montepulciano, a historic city, is the ideal starting point for our daily road journeys throughout the region with our Mercedes-Benz rental after a brief stay in Florence. Investigate. We reserve a lovely two-bedroom house for cheaper than a hotel room in Florence.
Speaking of Italy, think about spending a day in Venice while lodging in the quaint city of Verona. There is a comfortable high-speed rail that connects the two cities in just over an hour.
The countryside of Paris may also be breathtaking. There are around 300 châteaux in the Loire Valley. We are just 70km from Paris by train, and we have a 14th-century mansion all to ourselves.
4. Reserve a vacation rental and stay longer in one location.
By remaining in one location, we were able to explore a region in the aforementioned situations. Using that approach, you can start considering vacation rentals as a hotel substitute. Look at websites like VRBO and Airbnb, but also look for platforms that are particular to a given area. You can find websites like Home Club, Inspirato, Genteel Home, Casa Malasana, Likibu, The Luxury Travel Book, Plum Guide, and more if you Google "luxury vacation rentals in Madrid."
Due to cleaning and other fixed expenditures, vacation rentals can be highly costly for short-term stays. However, if you spread out the costs over a week, you can live well on a budget. Additionally, you may now save even more money by cooking some of your own meals.
Timeshare units can now be reserved just like hotel rooms. Rather than a hotel, we stay at the Westin Ocean Resort Villas on Maui. We found a fantastic golf course condo in the center of Princeville, Kauai, using VRBO. You can, too!
5. Make the most of shoulder season
Families are frequently unable to travel during the summer months, which increases the cost and burden of vacation travel. You should definitely travel at other times if you are able to. Find out when shoulder season is in your planned location; it will vary depending on where you are going. Check the monthly weather trends as well, as it may indicate a higher likelihood of rain or lower temperatures.
October is a great month for us to visit North America and Europe. The weather can still be good, costs are frequently significantly lower, and summer crowds have left. We are thrilled to see some snow and fall foliage during our week-long stay in Jackson Hole in October. For instance, rooms at the Four Seasons can cost three times as much during the ski season and twice as much in the summer.
Visitors can enjoy world-class skiing in the winter and stunning hiking in the summer in Zermatt, Switzerland, which is a sanctuary (and heaven). In October, we come. The hike is equally amazing and the weather is fantastic, but lodging is significantly less expensive.
Weekend travel hotspots can also transition from high-end to low-cost lodging throughout the week. For a Monday through Thursday stay in November, our Lake Arrowhead, California Airbnb home is fairly priced.
6. Look up airfare on several websites.
Expedia is where I normally start when looking up flights. You might have a preferred platform, like Kayak, Skyscanner, etc. Keep in mind that these suppliers do not list all airlines. If you have flexible dates, be sure to look into it. Day of the week can have a significant impact on airfare.
I also examine the airline's website after I locate a potential flight. My loyalty status occasionally results in improvements to the cost of my tickets, luggage fees, and seat assignment. I then often make my reservation straight with the airline. In my experience, I would rather deal with the airline's customer service than a third party if there were a problem later. I haven't made a reservation with Expedia since 2013. Expedia's response to the cancellation of my ticket from Chiang Mai, Thailand was to arrange for me to take a flight two days later! There was no assistance from their customer care. Naturally, I canceled the ticket and later that same day, I made my own direct flight out of Chiang Mai.
7. Additionally, look for accommodations on several websites.
The hotel systems are decent, in contrast to third-party websites for airlines. I frequently use Booking.com, and I've never experienced any issues. Their "genius" discounts can actually help you save money. Google Travel is a good place to start your inquiry because it compiles prices from several websites.
Like with airlines, I frequently end myself making a direct hotel reservation, particularly if my reward status takes effect. I might even get a suite or a complimentary breakfast as a result. In actuality, however, loyalty programs are no longer as beneficial as they once were. After Marriott acquired Starwood, everything took a turn for the worst.
8. To save time and money, choose local guides.
I contacted a local tour company to book a car from the Hanoi airport to my hotel because it was my first time in Vietnam. At less than $40, I felt the price was fair. The driver was joined by a guide who spoke English. The guide asked me how long I needed to refresh up before the night's expedition when we arrived at my hotel. What? Yes, that cost covered the safe return to my accommodation, a private tour of Hanoi, limitless street food and beer, and the airport ride. After that, I would travel to Ninh Binh, Tho Ha, and Bai Tu Long Bay every day using the family-run Custom Asia Travel. Although it is genuinely luxurious, a personalized, private experience is affordable.
I navigated Myanmar using the same method, learning a lot from a different guide in each area. My driver also served as a guide in Laos. We had the beautiful Kuang Si Falls to ourselves when we were there. Following his advise, we decided to take pictures of the same butterflies in the wild instead of visiting the butterfly park. I didn't learn that my driver/guide was also the mayor of a Luang Prabang district until we visited his house later that day!
The lesson is to experience luxury travel on a budget while immersing oneself in the local way of life.
9. Bring your own supplies.
Typically, half of my carry-on bag is made up of supplies and the other half of clothes. I bring my own coffee with me everywhere I go because I drink it first thing in the morning. It's better than paying four euros for each gulp of expresso or attempting to locate a café open at six in the morning.
I also have a quart-sized Ziploc bag with a U.S. pharmacy. Try purchasing eye drops in Cambodia when the pharmacist doesn't speak your language and all the contents are listed in Khmer. Actually, I have two bags: one for external brands (think Neosporin) and one for internal brands (like Alka-Selzer). economical, reassuring, and convenient.
10. When others zag, zig
Determining what matters to you and knowing when to save and when to spend is the foundation of budget-friendly luxury travel. It frequently entails defying expectations. I used to take a taxi from the Beijing airport to my apartment, like most foreigners do, but I eventually discovered that taking the metro would be far less expensive and time-consuming. In Bangkok, I do the same thing. Now, I'll always look for that possibility.
For convenience, some advise scheduling a full meal plan at your hotel. I would prefer to choose a restaurant that is well-liked by the people and typically offers superior meals at a more affordable price. Following the herd is not the goal. Create your own trip memories by following your intuition and your heart.
Have you got any inquiries? Do you have any recommendations of your own to assist others? Please feel free to leave a remark below this post.
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