Budget travel guide

Moving in with a family – if only for a night or two – is not only an economical option, but it also lets you begin to understand the lives of ordinary folk as well as discovering home cooked food, cultural nuances and welcoming nature of the country you're visiting. From casas particulares in Cuba to UK B&Bs, staying with local people is the best route to a country’s best bits without the ‘middle man’ price tag.

If you've ever boarded a lumpy, bumpy, bus with chickens, kids and a driver singing ABBA songs then you're not likely to forget it. However, much of the transport included within our budget tours is actually rather comfy. Air-conditioned public buses from Mexico City, sleeper trains to Mumbai, and soft sleepers onboard Vietnam’s Reunification Express; if you think that budget means compromising on comfort, it’s time to think again.

Joining a small group tour spreads the costs of travel and allows you to initiate friendships with likeminded people, safe in the knowledge that the tour company have dealt with all the practical bits and bobs. You can cover much more ground, as experts are planning your itinerary – and group leaders can translate, resolve problems and show you their secret, favourite haunts.

The chance to cycle and trek across the world is seriously attractive. Now imagine going on a self guided walking or cycling holiday where tried and tested trip notes and around the clock assistance are included, and your luggage is waiting around the next bend in accommodation that’s been hand-picked to suit your style. Not bad eh?

Flights can be pricey but the cost of living in Asia and South America more than makes up for time spent in the air, especially if visiting for two weeks plus. Of course, you don't have to go too far to enjoy affordable prices. Croatia, Romania and the Baltic states are destinations that appeal to budget travellers with plenty of affordable accommodation away from city centres and popular seaside resorts.

Organised budget tours aren't just about saving money; they're about removing stress, pointing you in the right direction, and saving you time to enjoy an experience rather than faffing around with paperwork or dealing with unexpected problems. Self guided and small group tours mean less hassle, less worry and 24 hour backup – perfect holiday peace of mind.

One more unusual option is to get in touch with a local tour operator via Responsible Travel. These trips tend to be cheaper as the operators are based overseas, and are run by passionate local people. Do be aware that one of the reasons that many trips are cheaper is that the financial protection regulations in the destination may be less onerous - if they exist at all. Read more in our locally run holidays guide.

Visit the Pura Batu Bolong temple on Lombok, try an Indian home cooking course in Kochi or dive into watersports on the Greek island of Ios; whatever you fancy, squirrelling some funds into your bum bag for optional activities is a great way to remain within budget rather than spending everything up front as part of an all-inclusive package.

Imagine hiking in the High Atlas Mountains or trekking up Kilimanjaro and feeling under pressure to summit ASAP. Time constraints can impact on your enjoyment and could lead to pushing yourself too fast to keep up with a group or fulfill an itinerary that has left no room for error. Often, the longer the trip the higher the success rate, so take your time to ascend and enjoy the view without adding undue stress.

These deals are designed to keep you in one place and can often result in missing out on authentic local activities and expeditions that you never would have expected. Out of the way cafés, family-run restaurants or practising languages at the market as you search for picnic produce, if you're looking for budget travel deals then delve a little deeper than all-inclusive, and you’re bound to get much more than you bargained for.

Heading back to the same holiday destination because it's safe, familiar and you know it won't cost a fortune is a perfectly sensible idea; however, do a little research and you may well discover a few alternatives that you'd enjoy just as much. The world is a big old place and talking to us may help you uncover an affordable option that's really worth writing home about.

Cutting corners where conditions are concerned is rarely advisable as slippery slopes and a lack of visibility make for hazardous ascents up mountains like Kilimanjaro or along walking routes such as the Inca Trail. Several countries, on the other hand, still operate in off peak, rainy seasons and if you’re hoping to track gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda don’t be put off by the spring and autumn rains as permits are much easier to acquire, with hefty discounts often available to boot.

Some wildlife hotspots, however, such as Brazil’s Pantanal and Tanzania’s remote southern national parks, are inaccessible during the warmer, wetter months; so speak to your holiday company to see if you can travel just outside these times or in the shorter rainy season – which has causes less disruption but still reduces prices. Best advice, as always, is to think about what you want to see and do, and then decide whether it’s still possible outside of a region’s peak season. If it is then pack for all eventualities and go for it.

For those with flexibility, the single easiest way to cut costs in most destinations is to travel outside school holidays. That said, there are some deals to be had on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve although best advice is to book in advance and include insurance just in case plans change.

Travelling to Europe in spring or autumn may require layers and waterproofs but capital cities are less crowded with better rates; perfect for budget culture tours. And the southern regions of Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece will be far more pleasant at this time; high summer is not the time to be walking, cycling or sightseeing as temperatures can soar to 40°C.