Budget travel

By Lonely Planet

This is the cheapest time to book flights from the UK to the USA
Lonely Planet - Sasha Brady
When is the best time to book a flight? If you’re an expat who travels regularly between the UK and USA, you’re familiar with the rise and dip in airfare. But you can cut down on costs by booking at a
Inside the top-rated hostels that could be mistaken for fancy hotels
Lonely Planet - Sasha Brady
Travelling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on comfort and quality. Especially now with the rise in high-end and carefully-designed hostels that offer boutique-style lodging at low prices.
See this man squeeze the contents of a cabin bag into his coat to cheat Ryanair's baggage charge
Lonely Planet - Fionnuala McCarthy
Ryanair’s recent changes to their policy that had allowed passengers take a cabin bag onboard for free, has meant an increase in cost for some travellers, who now have to pay £8/€8 to take a bag onboard.
Switzerland is about to get its first affordable capsule hotel
Lonely Planet - Andrea Smith
Capsule hotels are increasing in popularity as an affordable travel option, and Switzerland is just about to welcome its first one. The Capsule Hotel Lucerne is situated on the edge of Lucerne’s historic
Ultra-chic Icelandic hostel Kex to open in Portland
Lonely Planet - Travel News
Have you been struggling to decide whether to visit Portland, Oregon, or Reykjavík, Iceland? Both cities are travel hot spots; it would be hard to choose. Luckily, you’ll soon be able to experience both
Discover the cheapest cities for backpacking in Europe – and how much you’ll spend each day
Lonely Planet - Alex Butler
Backpacking is often seen as a rite of passage for young – and often broke – travellers. Luckily, anyone who wants to see the often expensive cities of Europe can still manage to do so on a budget. To
These are the top wallet-friendly foodie cities in the US
Lonely Planet - Andrea Smith
With World Food Day falling on 16 October, personal finance website WalletHub has released a report on the top wallet-friendly cities in the US for foodies. It says that while authentic foodies crave and
Inside the £19 a night no-frills room from this UK hotel chain
Lonely Planet - Sasha Brady
British hotel chain Premier Inn is introducing new, no-frills hotels with compact pod-style rooms on the outskirts of major towns and cities. The first ZIP by Premier Inn hotel will open in the Roath of
Travel from the UK to Europe for less with a new Eurostar deal
Lonely Planet - Alex Butler
Want to take a train trip in Europe this fall? You better grab a friend or two, as Eurostar, the high-speed passenger rail service, is offering deals for travellers who book together. The company, which
More than 1500 museums are free this Saturday all over the USA
Lonely Planet - AnneMarie McCarthy
Looking for something to do this weekend? Get a culture dose for free on Saturday, 22 September as part of Museum Day. An initiative by the Smithsonian Magazine, more than 1500 museums across the country
Meet a traveller: Lucas Peterson, budget travel guru
Lonely Planet - Louise Bastock
If budget travel makes you think of noisy dorm rooms and slogging across countries in cramped overnight buses then think again. The New York Times’ Frugal Traveler and professional penny-pincher Lucas
Wine tasting on a shoestring in South America
Lonely Planet
South American wine regions are romantic destinations, but you don’t have to kiss goodbye to all your pesos to sample the fruit of the harvest. Get a good-value glass – or bottle – and explore some of
Best free things to do in US national parks
Lonely Planet
The national parks are America’s wild playground. Some charge a nominal entry fee, but once you’re in, they’re full of fantastic free escapades. Go on a budget-friendly adventure with this extract from
Safari without the big bucks
Lonely Planet
African safaris can cost upwards of US$1000 per person per day – but don't scratch them off your travel wish list yet. There are ways to see the big five and more on a budget, if you know where to look.
Europe's best tours by public transport
Lonely Planet
Skip pricey tours – instead, embrace the trams, buses and boats that give a more authentic (and cheaper) perspective of a city, with this extract from The Best Things in Life are Free. Tram 28 – Lisbon,
Top free wheelin’ all-American adventures
Lonely Planet
Partial to parkour? Go giddy at the sight of a glacier? Whether your kicks come in the form of skiing, surfing or chasing a storm, the USA has an adventure for you. Find budget thrills and spills in the
Top 10 free things to do in Stockholm
Lonely Planet - Adam Grimshaw
Although it has a reputation for being expensive, Stockholm can be enjoyed on any budget, and there's an array of free experiences and activities just waiting to be discovered. Here are ten of the best
Europe's best wild swimming
Lonely Planet
Forget paying to go to the pool – plunge in at the deep end with these European al-fresco aquatic adventures from The Best Things in Life are Free. Lake Bohinj – Slovenia The Julian Alps offer top-class
Tokyo on a budget: tips for making your yen go further
Lonely Planet
You don’t have to live off vending-machine coffee and rice to experience the grandeur and excitement of Japan’s singular capital. Here are our tips for doing Tokyo a budget. Finding a place to stay Shop
Africa's wildest experiences
Lonely Planet - Matt Phillips
Africa may be justifiably famous for its national parks, but some of the wildest experiences take place elsewhere – on a dizzyingly-high cliff face; amongst magical sand dunes which hum as you walk; or
Australia and New Zealand's best free walks
Lonely Planet
Dawdlers down under often have to pay to plod around many of the region's popular parks and paths, but this selection of freestyle footpaths from The Best Things in Life are Free won't cost you a thing.
Stinge Henge: eight alternative ancient stone monuments
Lonely Planet
History buff on the hunt for a budget-friendly stone formation? Or simply curious? If the gift shop, fences and entry fees at Stonehenge leave you stone cold, explore these free-to-see rock stars from
Europe's best free museums and galleries
Lonely Planet
Museum-mooching can be a pricey pursuit, but there’s no need to dust the cobwebs off your wallet to enjoy these esteemed collections. See world-class art and ancient artefacts without spending a penny,
Asia's best cheap gourmet grub
Lonely Planet
Inside every budget traveller lies a secret gourmet. Lucky, then, that some of Asia’s finest food is served for discount prices down on the street. Tempted? Tickle your taste buds with this sample from
Asia's best sunsets without the price tag
Lonely Planet
Whether you like to watch the sun set against a silhouette of swaying palm trees or cloud-skimming skyscrapers, there's something life-affirming about watching the sun go down on another day of travel
Affordable Caribbean adventure: Dominica on a budget
Lonely Planet - Lorna Parkes
The Caribbean’s self-proclaimed nature island, Dominica is a small seedling on the map in the same garden as honeymoon favorites St Lucia and Antigua, yet a world away in spirit. It’s also definitely the
Top 10 free things to do in Copenhagen
Lonely Planet - Caroline Hadamitzky
It's easy to fall in love with Copenhagen, a city at once historic and modern, traditional and innovative. Known for its design scene, top-notch cuisine and hip, laid back atmosphere, this Scandinavian
Hawaii on a budget: penny pinching in paradise
Lonely Planet - Alexander Howard
Pink-hued sunsets over aquamarine waters, fascinating geological features and a vibrant mix of cultural and historical links to the rest of the world, Hawaii reigns supreme among tropical destinations.
How to road-trip Canada on a budget
Lonely Planet - Benedict Walker
Canada is big and beautiful, but climate, distance and the high cost of domestic travel make it hard to get to know her. Having the freedom to throw your stuff in the trunk and set off as you please makes