Frugal travel tips for retirees

Read on for thrifty travel tips in retirement.

13:39 12 August 2014

Travel is an important objective for most people when they retire. Travel improves one’s attitude and viewpoint towards life and has the additional benefit of healthy living. In all aspects, it is worth cutting back on some costs to cater for travel, and travel doesn’t always have to be overly expensive. 

 

Use your credit card reward program to pay for your travel

 

If you are a responsible credit card user, i.e. you pay off your monthly credit card balance, then you can consider utilising the travel rewards offered by various providers. Regular spending on your credit card will accumulate points that can manage to pay for your travel. Check with your credit card provider if they have a worthy travel reward system. 

 

Short Term Villa or Apartment

 

Finding a short term villa or apartment will save you from expensive hotels and meals. You can save up to 50%the cost of staying in a hotel when you rent a villa which is likely to be a more interesting option to stay.

 

Hostels

 

Hostels are more affordable options than hotels. Here you can find many young travellers whom you can share with an inspiring stay. If you are not in the mood to share the dormitory style accommodation of a hostel, you can ask for private room in the hostel. 

 

Consider the cheaper options

 

Instead of eating at tourist class restaurants, consider checking out at the local cafeterias. They normally serve cheaper and better food. Plus, you are able to interact with the locals for a more authentic and exciting atmosphere of the town you choose to visit.

 

Travel is an enjoyable way to spend your retirement stretch. You however need to plan for it and fit it into your budget. Retirees are flexible enough to exploit the various avenues to travel frugally.