Budget travel solo or with travel companions (retired traveler)

Hi everyone! My friend and I are planning a trip to Paris, and we're looking for a cheap place to stay. If you have any recommendations for a budget-friendly accomodation, we'd really appreciate them. Also if you know any reliable car rental companies that aren't too expensive, please share your suggestions in the comments. Thanks for your help ;))

Hi there, I’m planning a 16-day itinerary: Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou, Skoura, Valley of the Roses, Dades Valley and Gorges, Todra Gorges, Tinghir, Erfoud, Rissani, Merzouga, Tamegroute, Draa Valley, Nkob, Djebel Saghro, Boulmane Dades, and back to Ouarzazate. I’m debating whether to add the Ziz Gorges and then Telouet. Are the Ziz Gorges really worth the trip? Is the Telouet site (which is in ruins) really worth the detour? Thanks for your tips!

Hi there, we have a 4x4 vehicle traveling from Diego to Ankify on October 31st. If anyone needs a transfer on the same date, please contact us privately or via WhatsApp: +261333409778. Thanks

Hey everyone! I’m heading back to India after more than 15 years and I’d love to know what the cost of living is like these days. I’m planning a trip for just under a month—Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Kolkata—mostly by train and taking it slow. We’re traveling as a couple, so we’ll be splitting accommodation costs. Thanks in advance for your tips! Small travel note: trip planned for early 2027.

Hello Voyage Forum members. For my wife’s birthday and her 64th year, I’d love to plan a two-week road trip with her—using our own car—preferably avoiding overly touristy spots, so off the beaten path where possible. That said, we wouldn’t mind stopping at must-see places along the way. The trip would cover Emilia-Romagna and/or Tuscany if combining both regions is doable in that timeframe, with the option for some hikes during the period. We’re looking at late November 2026. I’d prioritize the most authentic accommodations, ideally with breakfast included, without exceeding 100 € per night if that’s possible. So, stays like private rooms in hostels or homestays would be perfect. Based on these details, I’d really appreciate any recent tips or insights from Voyage Forum members to help me plan this surprise anniversary trip.

Hi there,

My trip starts on 09-11-2026 for 3 months of travel:

Bangkok Southern, Central, then Northern Thailand

I’ll cross into Laos by sea, then spend 4 weeks hiking, biking, sightseeing, and helping out locally.

Finally, I’ll head to Cambodia for another 4 weeks of hiking, biking, sightseeing, and local volunteering before flying back to CDG.

I’ll also be doing local activities like yoga and meditation, etc...

Hello everyone, This is my first time traveling to Italy For a short cultural trip From October 8th to 17th Solo as a senior woman I booked my one-way ticket with FlixBus From Lille Europe On October 8th at 11:55 PM I arrive at Porte de Maillot (Paris Pershing) At 3:05 AM And I’d like to get to Palermo, Italy Starting October 9th I’ve checked tickets—prices are sky-high everywhere, and there are even scams Can you advise me on how to get to this city Affordably By train, plane, or bus I need to arrive by October 9th For my hostel room Which is located at Address provided 5.4K followers • 426 following Travel, meet, be surprised, and fall in love with Palermo Book at: www.acasadiamici.com Via Dante 57, Palermo | +39 091 7654650 Palermo acasadiamicihostel +39 328 317 2205 A Casa di Amici, a place to live!

And from Palermo, how do I get to the hostel where I’ve booked? I’m counting on your support and understanding To make things easier before I arrive And to recommend the best ways to get there Safely Can I count on you? Thanks for your trust. Looking forward to your advice, best regards.

Hi, My trip to the Algarve, which was postponed, is now taking shape. On October 13th, I’m leaving for 2 weeks. When I arrive, I’ll be staying in Lisbon for 3 nights. So, I’d love to find somewhere affordable and well-located to stay—any suggestions would be great! After that, I’ll head to Faro, where I plan to rent a car. Would it be best to rent directly from the airport? I can’t seem to find any agencies in Faro city where I could pick up the car and drop it off at the airport at the end of my stay. Is it possible to return a car at 6 AM at the airport? Can I get the Portuguese motorway pass in France? Thanks so much for your help! Jofra

Hello, Does anyone know a good local French-speaking agency for a discovery/trekking trip in Maharashtra? For about 3 weeks, a custom trip, but not too expensive! Thanks in advance, Laura

Hi, I’m looking for recent opinions on where to stay: Ella or Haputale. Doesn’t Haputale also have the added advantage of the train? Thanks for your input!

Hi there, we’re planning a road trip in northern Algeria at the end of January – early February. Anyone have any tips for a car rental agency that’s both reliable and not too expensive? Thanks in advance!

Hello, I’d like to travel from Lille in the North of France to Italy safely and on a budget. Preferably by bus. If you have other ideas, I’m all ears! I’m interested in any suggestions. How can I get to Italy? Which city is the cheapest? The most visited? Is it safe, please? Thanks for your replies. Best regards,

Hi everyone, I’m planning to spend 8 days or more in Georgia, and I love multi-day hikes at a moderate level. Any tips? Is it easy to exchange money in Tbilisi? Is Kutaisi worth a visit? I’ve heard the Black Sea is meh. And apparently, the food and drink are amazing everywhere in Georgia. So, is it worth checking out a wine region? Thanks a lot!

Good evening, As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November. Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle. So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable. The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide. Thanks in advance for all your replies. Jacques

Hi there,

After more than ten solo trips to India, I’ve decided to explore a new country: South Korea.

In October, I’ll be flying Lyon-Delhi, then in November Delhi-Seoul. I’ll be staying in this new (for me) country for over a month.

My main motivation when traveling is discovering a country through the people (locals) I meet. In India, I made friends through Couchsurfing that way.

I’m currently getting in touch with host families (via Servas), but if you have any ideas for authentic and budget-friendly accommodations, I’d love to hear them.

I’ll plan my route based on my hosts, and I’m also thinking of spending a few days in Seoul and Jeju.

Thanks in advance for your tips!

JulieB

Hi there, I’m heading to the Greek island of Ikaria for two months and I’m looking for any tips or advice—especially on budget-friendly accommodation options like a room to rent or staying with locals. Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm traveling solo in Spain for 8 days without a car, on a tight budget. What train/bus route do you recommend between cities, and where can I find the best prices? Looking forward to your tips! Thanks

Hello! 👋 I’m new to this site and feeling a little desperate. 😢 My boyfriend’s birthday is in 4 days, and I wanted to surprise him with a New Year’s trip to London... except I just found out he’s already been there as a kid. Well, there goes my surprise! 😅 Since we both love Christmas and winter, I’m looking for a destination where we can really feel the holiday magic—with a budget of around 500 € for transport + accommodation for two (yes, I know, I might be asking for a Christmas miracle here 😇). We’ve already been to Bucharest, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, so I’d love to find something a little more offbeat, not too expensive, and with a beautiful Christmas atmosphere.

Please help me! 🙏 On social media, it’s always the same ultra-touristy cities... I’m sure there are hidden gems I haven’t discovered yet!

Hi there,

Three years after exploring northern Argentina and Chile, my two travel buddies and I want to discover the southern part of these two countries. We’re traveling on a budget, backpacker-style, favoring public transport and modest accommodations, but we don’t hesitate to splurge a little when it’s worth it. The classic spots that have been fueling our dreams: Bariloche, the lakes, Chiloé, El Chaltén, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Fitz Roy, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, and wrapping up in Valparaíso. We’ll take a round-trip flight to Santiago, then I’m thinking of a one-way flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. From there, we’ll explore and do several day hikes in the south, including Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego. Then we’ll head back north by bus to Bariloche and the lakes, followed by Chiloé, then a bus to Santiago and Valparaíso. Based on your experience, could you help me figure out the best way to structure this trip and maybe suggest some ideas? Thanks in advance. Didier

Hi everyone.

I’m heading to Quebec and New Brunswick this summer and got a Revolut Classic card for the trip. I’ve already exchanged some Canadian dollars in the app so I’ll have a reserve ready for my departure day. My question is whether I’ll incur any additional fees when using my Canadian dollar account. I think I’m limited to 200 € in ATM withdrawals for my part. Thanks!

Hi there, I'm heading to Morocco for 10 days as a backpacker, with my car and a tent canvas if needed. Does anyone have great experiences in this country around the Tétouan and Tangier areas? I'd love to spend time with locals, rent a small room, and take part in daily life. If you've got any addresses to share, that'd be awesome! Thanks a million for your replies!!!😉 Christine

I’ve got some new questions about Albania!

My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!

Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:

* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania? * Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online? * Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?

If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!

Thanks ☺️

Hi, We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit). After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally. After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical? Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging? Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg? We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages! Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hi there, After exploring southern Peru in 2024 with your help, we’d love to head north next. There’ll be 5 or 6 of us: 1. Arrive in Lima in the evening. 2. Visit Lima and take a flight at 6:35 PM to Tarapoto. 3, 4, 5. Spend a few days there to trek in a reserve (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve) or somewhere else. 6. From Tarapoto to Chachapoyas—either by overnight bus, daytime bus, or private car. 7. In Chachapoyas: Gocta Waterfall, Sonche Canyon, and walk back to town. 8. Head to Kuelap citadel, Revash, and arrive in Leymebamba. 9. Leymebamba museum, then route to Cajamarca. 10. Cajamarca hot springs, overnight bus to Trujillo or Chiclayo—or do both. 11, 12, 13. Visit and explore the area. 14. Overnight bus back to Lima. 15. Lima. 16. Depart at 8 PM for France. What do you think of this itinerary? Looking forward to your advice. Thanks

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.

I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks: • What clothes are absolutely essential? • Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light? • Which accessories have been the most useful for you? • Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?

I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.

Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !

Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:

Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal) Tanzania: 3-day safari Zanzibar: 6 days Istanbul: 7 days Return to Montreal.

Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:

Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket? Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)? Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days? Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?

Hi, Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms. Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how? Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?

Thanks for your reply

Hi everyone

I’m spending a week in Paris and I’m looking to stay somewhere for the fewest euros possible :) Thanks for your help

Tigrou

Hi, I need to stay in Paris or Créteil for 2 nights a week for a month. I know some cheap backpacker options, but I’d like something even cheaper. Do you know of any rooms for rent from private individuals? Thanks