After almost two years of community quarantine and working from home, most of us are really eager to go on a vacation. But with the additional requirements, risks, and extra costs of travel these days, thinking about going on a vacation feels like a lot more stressful than it used to be.
With the financial uncertainty, there’s also a more urgent need to save money and stretch your budget to have money for health or other emergencies, rather than spend on travel, so you don’t end up in debt or end up needing credit counseling.
Set aside a specific amount for recreation or leisure or travel-related expenses per month and stick to it.
You can make the most of your salary by cutting out essential bills and expenses, getting rid of expensive vices, cancelling unnecessary memberships and subscriptions, decluttering and selling items you no longer need and more. You can also save a lot by changing your mindset about travel.
Travel doesn’t always have to be to epic trips to exotic international destinations. Getting a taste of travel is just a matter of changing your perspective and choosing safe and accessible destinations nearby.
Here are a few tips to stretch your budget and save money when you do decide to hit the road again.
Travel within driving distance
While air travel is starting to normalize once again, the additional cost of RT-PCR or Antigen tests and need to quarantine post-trip, are the major deterrents from boarding a plane.
From Manila, there are several destinations just a few hours drive away, in nearby provinces like Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna. For families, road trips, picnics by car, and car camping have really taken off again. There are so many new campsites and roadside al fresco cafes that have popped up, catering to those who want to just get out of the city and breathe some fresh air.
If you have your own form of transport, you can save on the cost of renting a van, or taking public transportation or ride-share services, like Grab.
Motorcycle riders, in particular, have the means to ride easily to nearby destinations, and save costs on fuel compared to taking cars. While there are still restrictions in place in some areas, it’s generally easy to drive around and find scenic overlooking spots where you can enjoy coffee, or visit tourist spots that have opened up.
Bike everywhere
Biking has really taken off as a hobby even among car owners. Ditching your car and going around on two wheels, even if you’re just in the metro, offers one of the best ways to get a sense of travel, go sightseeing and save money at the same time.
You’d be surprised how satisfying it is discovering for the first time or traveling to familiar places by bicycle can be. Beyond the initial investment for a bike (in case you don’t have one yet), using bicycles in the long-term won’t cost you a lot of money compared to other vehicles.
Bicycles just require pure pedal power. You’ll save a lot of money on gas and parking fees, and get to enjoy both the journey and the destination whenever you ride. To further save costs while traveling by bike, you can just bring your your own drinks and snacks.
For instance, two cups of iced coffee at a roadside resto can set you back Php 150 to Php 300. You can already buy 250 grams of good coffee beans for the same amount and make your own hot or iced coffee at home. Bring your own drinks in a hydroflask to cut down the costs and lessen the waste generated from single-use plastic cups at coffee shops.
Take advantage of discounts and vouchers
Airlines are ramping up their promos, and giving passengers a a lot of flexibility. Not only are there Piso Fare sales, you can now easily rebook flights without charges, should quarantine restrictions change.
While you may not be able to use the vouchers at once, good deals are hard to pass up. It’s worth investing in low-cost vouchers now and have them for the time comes when the situations improves and you’re ready to travel again.
The drop in international travel during this pandemic period means that top local destinations like Boracay, Bohol, Siargao, Palawan and more are uncrowded, leading to a better quality experience. If you’ve never traveled to these places, now is the best time to do so, before everything opens up.
Some local tour operators are offering amazing all-in deals that cover airfare, tours, etc. So if you’re already fully vaccinated and healthy, now is a good time to help boost the travel industry.
Consider working staycations
Hotels are also slashing off prices for hotel deals, for families who want to enjoy staycations in the city. Hotels have really invested in sanitation measures and have been virtually empty the past few months, so these are good options for those who just want change of scenery.
Some beach resorts are even offering week-long stays with on-board meals, which come out cheaper than if you book an overnight stay.
For those who have the flexibility to work from anywhere, working staycations ensure that you don’t have to take leaves from work , while still giving you the benefit of a change of scenery and quality time after work hours and on weekends.
Many hotels also offer discounts during off-peak travel times or when they have last-minute rooms to fill.
Keep your trips short
You can still satisfy the travel bug without spending too much money by opting for short micro-adventures. You don’t have to stay at a place overnight to enjoy it. Pick scenic destinations you haven’t been to yet as day trips or take the time to revisit places like museums that have reopened, just for a quick break.
With the move to Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila, museums like the National Museum and Fort Santiago’s dungeons are reopening, with most of the spots, free of charge to visit. Take note that some spots may require reservations or only allow a limited number of visitors per time slot. So time your trip on a weekday or on odd hours if you can.
Learn more about saving and investing for your future travels here.