How to Mix Budget and Luxury Travel Without Feeling Broke: A Detailed Guide

 

Some years back, I thought you had to be either a backpacker or someone who stayed in luxury, choosing between hostels and street food or suites and fancy restaurants.

I didn’t realize that there’s a third option: you can have a cheap coffee in Hanoi one day and then stay in a fancy hotel the next. And the route between the extremes? I’ve found a comfortable place in music and I’ve been there since then. 

That middle ground became clearer to me after one particular trip that started with me booking cheap airport parking to save a few extra pounds. It was a small decision, but it set the tone to save where it doesn’t hurt, and spend where it truly counts. It isn’t about being frugal or extravagant when you mix budget and luxury travel. You should decide on your luxury purchases, know where to cut back and rethink what makes something luxurious to you. I’ve figured out how to travel in style, even if I’m not spending a lot.

Begin with an Actual Budget and Tell the Truth

 

Be honest about the numbers before doing anything else. My first time blending budget and luxury travel, I didn’t keep track of my expenses. I talked myself into thinking a $300 spa day in Bali was reasonable until I learned it had consumed my accommodation budget for a week.

Choose a budget amount that you can spend each day. I usually set my everyday budget low ($50–70) and I allow myself to spend more on a few special days. Since I know those days are scheduled in advance, I enjoy them without worry and still eat proper meals the rest of my trip.

You can cut back on your travel expenses, but spend more on your stay (or the other way around).

 

I often start by choosing the area in the house where I’d like to spend on luxury. Is it more important to look good when I arrive or do I want to keep looking good the whole time?  Typically, I try to cut down on travel expenses by booking economy flights and riding overnight buses and then I spend a little extra on an interesting boutique hotel.

Must Read: Volcanic Beaches: 10 Unique Black Sand Spots Worth Visiting.

Find Areas Where You Can Enjoy Luxury at a Good Price

 

To be honest, luxury is not the same for everyone. You’ll pay hundreds for a five-star experience in New York, but in Vietnam or Turkey, you can have a spa treatment, enjoy cocktails on the roof and eat a four-course meal for just $50.

I stayed in Ubud, Bali, for a week in a villa with a plunge pool and it cost me the same as a standard chain hotel in Europe. Location matters. If you want a luxurious trip but don’t want to spend all your money, choose places where your money goes a long way.

Note: Always check Manchester airport parking deals before travelling and book according to your needs.

Try a Variety of Places to Stay

 

A great idea is to switch up your accommodation options.

When I’m on the move, seeing sights or just need a quick stay, I usually pick a hostel or budget hotel. After that, I’ll check into a nicer hotel or hostel halfway through or when I leave, as a reward for myself. It ensures that your luxurious nights are memorable and also saves you money.

Must Read: How to Actually Enjoy Getting to the Airport.

I spent three nights in a $12 hostel in Thailand (which I liked a lot and had free breakfast) and then had a splurge on a beachfront resort in Koh Lanta. I relaxed in a hammock after watching the sunset, knowing I deserved it and I hadn’t spent more than $250 that week.

Just because something is luxurious doesn’t have to be expensive.

I’ve come to see that how much a product costs isn’t as important as the feeling it gives you. 

Going on a leisurely train trip through the Alps, enjoying a meal at a local family-owned eatery or waiting for dawn over Angkor Wat is all a little luxurious in its way. It’s less about tags and more about how you feel when you receive something. I find that taking my time while traveling is one of my favorite things. Taking a break from duties to just sit in a cafe and read.