Travelling on a Budget Doesn’t Mean You Have to Suffer

There was a time when I didn’t care much where I slept, what I ate or how uncomfortable a journey might become. As long as I reached my destination, everything was fine. These days, I’ve become a little more particular. Not necessarily more expensive, mind you. Just a bit less willing to suffer unnecessarily.

The Older I Get, the More I Appreciate a Decent Mattress

I love travelling. Always have.

But somewhere along the way, I’ve discovered that my enthusiasm for adventure hasn’t quite been matched by the enthusiasm of my knees, my back or the rest of my ageing machinery.

What I happily tolerated twenty or thirty years ago doesn’t necessarily appeal to me today.

Sleeping in a questionable hotel room? No, thank you.

Spending twelve hours in an uncomfortable seat because it saves a few pounds? Perhaps not.

Walking halfway across a city in the midday heat to save the price of a taxi?

Well, that depends on how far it is, how hot it is and whether my legs are still speaking to me.

You see, there’s a difference between travelling economically and simply making life unnecessarily difficult.

And over the years, Lizz and I have become quite good at recognising that difference.

We don’t need luxury everywhere. We don’t expect five-star treatment, champagne breakfasts or somebody appearing with a freshly ironed newspaper. But we do appreciate a bit of comfort. And preferably without having to sell a kidney to pay for it.

A Cheap Hotel Isn’t Always a Bargain

Let’s start with accommodation.

It’s probably one of the biggest expenses when travelling, and naturally, it’s also where you can save quite a bit of money.

But there’s a limit.

I have absolutely nothing against budget accommodation. Some smaller hotels and guesthouses offer wonderful value, friendly service and everything you actually need.

And sometimes they’re much more enjoyable than those enormous international hotels where everything looks impressive but somehow feels completely impersonal.

However, cheap doesn’t automatically mean good value.

If the bed feels like someone has placed a thin sheet over a pile of bricks, the air conditioning sounds like a helicopter preparing for take-off, and the bathroom requires a certain amount of courage, that bargain room suddenly becomes rather less attractive.

Especially when you’ve spent the entire day exploring.

We generally prefer comfortable, reasonably priced accommodation over unnecessary luxury.

A clean room. A decent bed. A working shower. Reliable air conditioning where the climate demands it. And if breakfast is included, even better.

I’m easily pleased, really.

Just give me a comfortable place to sleep and don’t make me regret waking up in the morning.

Location Can Be More Important Than Luxury

There’s another thing worth considering. A hotel doesn’t always have to be directly on the beach, in the historic centre or overlooking the most famous landmark in town. Those locations often come with equally famous prices.

Sometimes moving just a little further away can make a considerable difference to what you get for your money.

Of course, there’s no point saving £30 on accommodation if you then spend £40 every day on taxis.

But finding somewhere conveniently located, without paying extra simply for the address, can be a clever compromise.

And compromise, as I’m slowly discovering, is what sensible travelling is all about.

Eating Well Without Financing the Entire Restaurant

Now we come to one of my favourite subjects. Food.

For me, discovering a place also means discovering what people eat there. And I don’t necessarily mean dining in the most expensive restaurant in town. Quite the opposite.

Some of the most interesting food can be found in local markets, small eateries and places that don’t look particularly remarkable from the outside.

You know the sort. Plastic chairs. Simple tables. A menu that might have seen better days.

But the food? Sometimes absolutely wonderful.

Lizz and I enjoy exploring local food, and I would hate to miss those experiences simply because we’re trying to stick to some ridiculously strict daily budget.

At the same time, eating every single meal in a fancy restaurant would become expensive rather quickly.

So we mix things up. Sometimes we eat out. Sometimes we pick up something from a market or supermarket. And sometimes a simple picnic is all we need.

Although calling two sandwiches and a bottle of water a picnic does make it sound rather more sophisticated than it actually is.

Of course, there are occasions when a special meal is worth the extra money. If we’re somewhere memorable and the opportunity is there, why not?

I would rather spend a little more on a meal we’ll remember than waste money on something expensive simply because the restaurant looks fashionable.

Public Transport, Taxis and Knowing When Enough Is Enough

I genuinely enjoy using public transport when travelling.

Buses, trains and other local transport can give you a much better impression of everyday life than sitting in the back of a private car.

You see things. You meet people. And sometimes you discover places you never intended to visit.

Particularly when you’ve boarded the wrong bus.

But public transport isn’t always the best option.

There are days when we’ve been walking for hours, the temperature is doing its best to cook us alive, and even the thought of climbing another staircase feels rather unreasonable.

That’s when a taxi suddenly becomes an excellent investment.

Not because we’re lazy. Well, perhaps occasionally.

But because saving a few pounds isn’t worth arriving at the hotel completely exhausted and unable to enjoy the evening.

Of course, the opposite is also true. If the public transport is convenient, comfortable and reasonably priced, why spend more than necessary?

The trick is knowing when to save and when to give yourself a break.

The Best Experiences Aren’t Always the Most Expensive

One of the beautiful things about travelling is that some of the most memorable moments cost almost nothing.

Wandering through an unfamiliar neighbourhood. Watching everyday life unfold at a local market. Sitting somewhere with a coffee and observing the world around you. Or simply taking a walk without having a particular destination in mind.

Although, with Lizz’s sometimes rather questionable sense of direction, an innocent little walk can occasionally turn into a considerably larger expedition than originally planned.

But that’s part of the fun.

We don’t feel the need to visit every tourist attraction simply because a guidebook tells us we should.

And we certainly don’t need to spend a fortune every day to feel that we’ve experienced something worthwhile.

However, if there’s something we genuinely want to see, something special or perhaps even a once-in-a-lifetime experience, then I’d rather spend the money than regret missing it afterwards.

After all, what is the point of travelling halfway around the world only to stand outside an attraction calculating whether the entrance fee might interfere with next week’s grocery budget?

There are occasions when being sensible with money means knowing when to spend it.

Packing Light Is a Wonderful Idea — In Theory

Another way to make travelling more comfortable is to pack sensibly.

Notice I said sensibly, not necessarily lightly.

Because packing light sounds absolutely wonderful until you discover that the weather forecast was written by somebody with a rather creative imagination.

Suddenly, that extra jacket you decided to leave at home seems like a remarkably good idea.

Over the years, we’ve learnt that comfortable walking shoes and practical clothing are far more valuable than packing something for every possible social occasion.

You don’t need an entire wardrobe. You need things that work.

And ideally, you want to avoid dragging a suitcase around that weighs approximately the same as a small motorbike.

Although I’m not claiming we’ve perfected the art. There’s always something you think you might need. And usually, you don’t.

Meanwhile, the one thing you actually require is sitting comfortably at home in a drawer.

Age Changes Your Priorities — And That’s Perfectly Fine

When you’re younger, travelling can sometimes be about seeing as much as possible for as little money as possible.

You squeeze in another attraction. Take the overnight bus. Choose the cheapest room. And somehow convince yourself that sleeping four hours is perfectly sufficient.

I still admire that enthusiasm.

But being in the 50-plus club has changed the way I look at certain things.

I no longer feel the need to prove that I can endure every inconvenience simply because it’s cheaper.

If spending a little more means sleeping properly, avoiding unnecessary stress or enjoying the following day more, I consider that money well spent.

That doesn’t mean we’ve stopped being adventurous. Not at all.

We still want to explore unfamiliar places, discover new foods, experience different cultures and occasionally find ourselves in situations that become rather entertaining stories afterwards.

We just prefer those stories not to involve too much unnecessary physical suffering.

There’s a difference between having an adventure and having a miserable time.

Finding Our Own Balance

I don’t believe there’s a perfect travel budget that works for everyone.

Some people are perfectly happy sleeping in hostels and travelling with little more than a backpack. Others prefer luxury hotels, private transfers and a carefully planned itinerary. And both approaches are absolutely fine.

For Lizz and me, the ideal lies somewhere in between.

We want to enjoy the journey without constantly worrying about money.

But we also don’t want to spend more than necessary simply because something is marketed as luxurious.

We’d rather have a comfortable mid-range hotel and spend the savings on an interesting excursion or a memorable meal.

We’d rather use public transport when it makes sense and take a taxi when it doesn’t.

And we’d rather visit fewer places properly than race through twice as many and remember little more than the inside of buses, airports and hotel rooms.

Because ultimately, travelling isn’t a competition.

Nobody gives you a medal for enduring the worst hotel bed, carrying the heaviest backpack or surviving on the smallest daily budget.

At least, nobody has ever offered me one.

A Little Comfort Is Not a Crime

So yes, I still believe in travelling sensibly and keeping an eye on expenses.

There’s absolutely no reason to throw money around unnecessarily.

But I’ve also learnt that comfort has value.

A good night’s sleep means more energy for exploring.

A decent meal makes a day more enjoyable.

And sometimes a short taxi ride is worth every penny.

The older I get, the more I appreciate those little things.

And if that means spending a few extra pounds occasionally, so be it.

I’d much rather return from a journey with wonderful memories than with a slightly healthier bank balance and a back that requires professional attention.

After all, the whole point of travelling is to enjoy the experience, not to win a competition in unnecessary suffering.

And if you happen to find a comfortable hotel, a delicious meal and a bargain along the way?

Well, that’s what I call travelling properly.

Happy travels!

And may your hotel mattress always be softer than your travel budget.ds!

For the airport side of comfortable travel, continue with why I value frequent flyer status. For a real journey with tired feet and first impressions, start with our first day in Hanoi.