The Most Comprehensive List of Hacks to Spend Less on PH Travel
63 for you to try and 10 to avoid (or not)
Good morning!
I'm in slight panic mode now.
I was in Greenhills buying earphones to replace the AirPod I lost when I received an update on my Australian visa:
Instead of entering by May 2024 like I was expecting, I will now need to enter by November this year.
(Quick context: I decided to apply for a visa to work in Australia halfway through 2021. My goal of visiting 81 provinces followed because it didn't feel right to live in another country without having experienced my own.)
Getting my visa would otherwise be great news, except my finances are not allocated for this accelerated schedule.
Monthly expenses in Australia average P100,000-P150,000 a month, which should be okay if you earn an Australian wage. But I don't yet.
So, to survive in Australia when I arrive, I need a runway of at least P300,000. An amount I don't have.
I thought I could travel this year and then use the first half of next year to save up for Australia.
It would have been wiser to build my runway for Australia before starting to travel.
But it is what it is.
I have two choices now:
Postpone my plans to visit all 81 provinces in favor of building my runway for Australia, or
Go for both on an accelerated time frame by earning more and spending less—way more and way less.
: )
You already know I'm going for option 2.
Hence, this list aims to solve one part of a very immediate need: Can I spend less on my travels?
Unfortunately, most guides online about spending less are redundant, generic, and not practical.
I did my research, and I asked around. Here's the most comprehensive list of hacks to spend less money while traveling around the Philippines
Flights
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Use this to travel by flight rather than by destination.
If you are hell-bent on visiting a specific destination, use Google Flights to find the best airline. Super hack: check out their Date Grid and Price Graph view!
Pack your things in a 40-50L backpack to save on check-in fees.
Don't get any add-ons. Flights to any destination within the Philippines are at most two hours. You don't need meals or pre-selected seats.
Fly less by visiting multiple provinces at once.
Transportation
Ask locals how much they spend on trikes, jeeps, or taxis. Have a benchmark so you can avoid getting scammed.
Alternatively, download Grab or Maxim and check their prices. Public transportation prices should never go beyond private transportation prices.
Another great source to benchmark prices is Rome2Rio.
Opt to walk. Download Google Maps to explore your vicinity.
Allow yourself to take longer to reach a destination. Speed and convenience are the two factors that drive up transportation costs. Instead, think of your commute as an opportunity for adventure.
Use your student discount (if applicable).
Find rental cars or vans through Facebook groups. Renting a private vehicle can sometimes be cheaper than commuting if you plan to visit multiple destinations with a big group.
Accommodations
Canvas multiple options before committing.
Start with Google Maps. You can search for Hotels, and it will display all options within a given vicinity and their price per night.
Repeat the process on Airbnb, couch surfing, Booking.com, and Agoda.
Take note of hostels. Paying for a bed will always be cheaper than paying for a room.
Look for camping sites and bring your tent. Paying for space on a beach will be even cheaper than paying for a bed.
Message everyone on Facebook. Connecting with resorts and hotels directly will be cheaper than reaching them through third-party booking platforms—request photos of their restrooms.
Ask if breakfast, towels, and WiFi are included. Ask if they have a cooking area too.
Ask for discounts. Some places offer discounts for people who stay for more extended periods (1 week +)—no harm in asking.
Book during the off-season. Some places charge higher on holidays and weekends.
Take overnight trains or buses. Hit two birds with one stone.
Meals
Cook your meals (I love having oats for breakfast).
Stay where breakfast is included.
Never start your day hungry.
If breakfast is not included, buy a loaf of bread and eat one slice before going out. You are more likely to spend more when you are hungry.
Drink water before ordering—same principles as above.
Avoid the dessert menu and the beverages menu. You don't need this. Ask for hot water instead. If you're in a Chinese restaurant, they may have service tea.
Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it in restaurants. My water bottle is 1.5L.
Don't buy food at the airport.
Eat where locals eat. Find a restaurant full of tourists? Expect to pay tourist prices.
Try street food.
Find food courts.
Eat at a carinderia. Get food early in the morning to ensure freshness.
Order multiple appetizers instead of a main entree.
Don't tip. We're not in the West; you needn't feel pressured to tip. A better way to make your servers feel good is to get their name before you order and then frequently refer to them by their name.
Buy food at the source. For example, when in Cebu, go to Carcar for lechon. Lechon restaurants in Cebu City are a scam.
Don't go out drinking. Parties are a vacuum for your money.
Tours
Don't join them. Find a DIY solution.
No DIY solution? Find joiner tours. If you are island hopping, most boats can fit upwards of a dozen people. You don't need to pay for 12 if you're just 6.
Find joiner tours through FB groups.
Think of Churches as free museums.
Walk. I've learned and experienced way more by walking around alone than by joining any pre-planned tour.
Find free public attractions.
Shopping
Don't buy souvenirs/pasalubong. Share stories instead. Your friends and family will understand that you are saving money.
Uncomfortable with this? Be more selective with what you buy and for whom.
Avoid souvenir shops and malls. If you don't see it, you won't want it.
To spend even less . . .
Take your time. Rushing often makes you more prone to careless mistakes.
Allocate more free time in your schedule. The biggest drivers of expenses during travel are convenience and speed. Remove the need to rush.
Have a clear intention: What would you do if you could only do one thing on your trip?
Make friends with the locals. Filipinos are extremely friendly. They will take care of you.
Get the names of everyone serving you. Kindness comes up with unique and unexpected discounts.
Traveling in groups of 4 is the magic number when it comes to optimizing the cost of transportation, meals, and accommodations.
Talk to your travel group and be transparent about what you're willing to spend. Have a pre-determined budget. Agree on where you will splurge.
Track your expenses. I have my system set up with Google Sheets and Google Forms.
Use Splitwise when traveling with a group.
Always ask for a discount. Always.
Never take the first option offered to you. Canvas before committing.
Be willing to walk away. You're in trouble if you need a seller more than he needs you.
Breathe before you speak to avoid making impulsive decisions.
Have a daily budget. Store your travel budget in multiple places. Keeping everything in one place makes you more willing to spend big, especially at the start of the trip.
Repeat to yourself: this trip is one of many. When you think something will never happen again, you are more likely to spend big.
To spend more . . .
Be headstrong about your destination and dates. Book only one month before.
Be particular about your airline. Only fly PAL. Only window seats.
Only take private transportation.
Tip everyone.
Eat only in instagrammable restaurants.
Party every night. The night's not over until a bottle is finished.
Pair every meal with a beverage, then end every meal with dessert.
You're here only once, try and do everything. Go on every tour. Visit every attraction and tourist destination. Buy a souvenir from every place you visit.
Free yourself from stress and have someone plan your itinerary.
Travel with people who have a big budget.
Note: Saving money is never worth it if it comes at the expense of (1) experience or (2) safety. Save discretely.
Until next week,
Atom
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Wonferful read!!
Wishing you luck with your remaining provinces, Atom!!!