Latest news with #budgettravel
CNET
11 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Why Smart Travelers Are Switching to eSIMs This Summer
Higher prices are looming for just about everything, but they're not stopping people from planning more summer travel than ever. Deloitte's 2025 summer travel survey found that despite the gloomy economy, more Americans will travel this year than they did last year. And young people are especially ready for some self-care elsewhere: a survey by Allianz found that a whopping 70% of Americans under 35 are planning to take a vacation this summer. If you're one of the many people thirsty for a summer getaway, there's a good chance you're also looking to cut costs where you can. Maybe you're opting for a cheaper mid-week flight rather than heading out on Friday, or heading somewhere off the beaten path instead of a tourist-packed metropolis. Another smart way to trim your travel budget is to use an eSIM. You don't have to pay pricey roaming or add-on data fees to look up local spots, post pics and check your email while you're out of the country. Nomad eSIM, one of the most affordable options, gives you the data to do all that and more from over 200 countries. And right now you can get 20% off your first Nomad data plan with the code NOMCNET20. What is an eSIM? If you've ever upgraded your phone or switched carriers, you're likely familiar with what a SIM card is: It's that tiny chip in your phone that essentially connects it to your mobile carrier. A digital eSIM is different in that it's downloaded from the web directly into your phone. You can activate it using an app and switch carriers without the fuss of having to swap out your physical SIM card. An eSIM can be a smart choice for travelers who want to use their phone while abroad. Because eSIMs are data-based, you'll be able to send emails, browse the web, scroll your socials, stream videos and make data-based voice and video calls — all without having to pay the expensive roaming and data fees of your regular US-based carrier. Nomad eSIM How a Nomad eSIM helps you save on international data Nomad eSIM is different from the other eSIMs in that it offers an affordable plan lineup for every type of trip. Whether you're going to Costa Rica for a week-long retreat or backpacking around Europe all summer, you can pick a plan that works for your specific needs — and budget. If you're visiting one destination, Nomad has you covered with daily, weekly and monthly data plans ranging from 1GB to more than 20GB with coverage in over 200 countries. Travelers can also choose daily unlimited plans for a week, and there are local plans for single-country trips or regional plans for multi-destination travel. Current prices on plans include hotspots like Thailand ($0.18/GB) and Iceland ($1/GB). Nomad eSIM Get data plans tailored to your travel needs — and budget If you're exploring more than one country, the Nomad Global plan has weekly and monthly plans ranging from 1GB to 5GB and coverage in up to 112 countries. While global in reach, Nomad has intentionally focused coverage on the most popular travel destinations, helping to keep global plan costs more affordable. A 1GB, one-week Global plan starts at just $12, ideal for the occasional check-ins with loved ones and social media posts. Or you can opt for a 3GB or a 5GB Global plan starting at $26 or $36 respectively, and the data is good for one month. eSIMs are great for frequent flyers and digital nomads, too For backpackers, students abroad and digital nomads, the Nomad Global-EX plan offers handy six-month and year-long options that are good in up to 82 countries. Nomad eSIM The highly affordable Global-EX offers a 10GB, six-month plan starting at just $30 and a 20GB, one-year plan starting at $50, plus the option to expand your data limit to 30GB or 50GB as needed. This plan eliminates the hassle of having to reactivate your eSIM for each trip, and it's more affordable than other eSIM brands that offer similar data allowances for shorter durations. And for those who prefer unlimited data, Nomad has recently expanded its offerings with 21 new unlimited plans. Perfect for travelers who don't want to worry about running out of data or topping up, these plans start as low as $11 USD for 3 days of unlimited usage. eSIMs provide instant, hassle-free connectivity No matter which plan you choose, the Nomad eSIM is a snap to use. Simply download the app and activate the eSIM on your unlocked iOS or Android eSIM-compatible phone so you can get online the minute you land. There's no physical SIM card, no contracts and no hassle. Lock in a new Nomad plan today and score 20% off with the discount code NOMCNET20.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Mum reveals how she saves £600 whilst on holiday thanks to a sneaky £12 lunch hack
A SAVVY couple have claimed they saved £600 on their holiday thanks to a £12 lunch hack. Mum-of-two Nicola Lewis, 50, tries to get the most she possibly can for her money when on holiday. 4 And one of her most budget-friendly tips is to book a half-board holiday, so you can make a packed lunch during breakfast to take out with you. The professional organiser from Essex, said she and husband, Graham Lewis, 50, will always make a sandwich and grab a piece of fruit to take away from their breakfast buffet and eat later in the day. And thanks to a set of £12 collapsible food containers from Amazon, she can slip them into her bag. Nicola believes that the handy trick has saved her and her husband £600 on their recent week-long trip to Cyprus, as they didn't need to go and splash out on a meal at lunch time - which would usually set them back around £85 a day. Nicola said: "I do check with the hotel that it's allowed beforehand - and I've never been told no. "Looking at the reduction of waste, those buffets are always overstocked - and you've paid for it if it was available at breakfast. "Some people have five plates of food at breakfast - but we're not big eaters so we can't have that much there and then. "Holidays are so expensive now already, and spending extra on a lunchtime meal is a big expense." She added how as a child, her parents would always make her pack a picnic from the breakfast offering where they were staying. Now, as a mum of two children aged 21 and 17 - she has kept the habit. Typically, Nicola will opt for a bread roll filled with meats or cheeses with some salad. She will then also grab a piece of fruit and fit it into her collapsible boxes. Depending on what they are doing that day, the couple will then either take the lunchbox out with them or pop it in the hotel fridge to return to at lunchtime. She said: "If we had gone out for a meal at lunch, I reckon we would have spent £85 per meal - for 7 days - it really adds up." Of course, this works out to around £42 each for lunch, which is certainly a rather pricey spend. 4 However, Nicola added that the pair work hard to be able to afford a holiday, so when they are away they try and budget the best they can. She shared: "I bought a pack of collapsible food containers from Amazon for £12 and I slip them into my bag as I go down for breakfast. "The same with taking a reusable water bottle down to fill up too, since you often have to pay for water abroad. "You can wash them in your hotel room sink so they're ready for the next day - it's a clever idea to save money." Another woman has shared how she saved £1000 on a package holiday by booking everything herself. Plus, 20 last minute money saving holiday tips from dodging airport drop-off fees to free lounge access. 4
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I nabbed a bargain Benidorm penthouse suite with stunning views for just £17-a-head – but it came with a catch
A BRIT holidaymaker nabbed a penthouse suite with gorgeous views for just £17 per night - but it came with one catch. Graham White was amazed when he found the budget apartment going for a jaw-dropping price of just £17 per person. 5 It cost the 48-year-old and his three mates just £136 for two nights - or £68 for one - making it just £17 per person. But there was one bizarre condition. The tourist, who has over 75,000 followers on TikTok, said: 'I would stay there again, but the only thing is you couldn't be loud after 11pm." The strange rule stated that tenants had to be quiet after an 11pm curfew - despite it being located right above one of the busiest clubs in town. Graham explained: "You're above the busiest nightclub in Benidorm that closes at 5am so it's bouncing all night." The influencer shared a clip of the place on TikTok which amassed 758,000 views. In the video, Graham can be seen touring the cheap flat with an open plan kitchen-living area, two sofa beds and a TV. The apartment has stunning views of the holiday hotspot, and big open windows. There is a huge bathroom with a walk in shower, as well as two single beds in an airy bedroom with a balcony. He also showed a wraparound balcony with multiple pieces of furniture and views of the swimming pool, sea and strip. Sunbed wars take place at hotel used in filming of tv show Benidorm Graham captioned the post: 'Take a look at this Benidorm.' He said: "We always find cheap places. 'The cost of them puts people off but we have stayed in some hotels that cost a fortune and then had a cheap £160-a-week apartment that is a lot better. "Don't let the price put you off." He added: "We have stayed in some really rough places too - it's not all good when it's cheap - but 90 per cent of the time they are sound." His post has received hundreds of comments online with many slamming the apartment for being too noisy. One user said: 'Ye get no sleep to much noise. Stayed there.' Another added: 'Poor man's Dubai.' One even said that when staying there, they couldn't get any sleep. 'I stayed there years ago … no sleep for 4 days," they said. Meanwhile another user chimed in: 'Stayed there so loud.' 5
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I've visited EVERY country in the world… here is the travel hack that saved me THOUSANDS
A man who has visited every country in the world has shared a travel hack that has saved him thousands of dollars. Luca Pferdmenges, 23, who is originally from Germany, started traveling when he was just 14. An avid juggler, he would jet off to various cities in Europe to perform at juggling conventions, and along the way, he developed a fierce passion for exploring the globe. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and his juggling career came to a halt, he decided that once the world opened back up, he was going to start traveling full-time. He then made it his goal to visit every country on the planet, and just five years later, he's now spent time in all 195 of them. After taking hundreds of flights and staying at hotels, Airbnbs, and hostels all around the world, Luca has wracked up a slew of travel tips for making the experience easier. He's also uncovered a method that he insists has saved him a ton of money. He explained during a recent chat with the Daily Mail that he 'creates his own layovers' when he's traveling, and it's cut the cost of flights down immensely. 'Often, you can travel a lot cheaper by searching from [your location] to [all destinations] (like on a meta search engine like Skyscanner),' he explained. 'And then you go step by step through the cheapest results and try to 'connect' them to another flight. 'So maybe the cheapest flight was to Budapest, then you open another tab and search in Budapest to everywhere. 'Often you will already see connections that were previously very expensive [for much cheaper]. That was one of the best tricks that enabled me to travel very cheaply.' He also said he's saved money by traveling 'off season' and staying in 'hostels' rather than hotels. 'Often, accommodation is the biggest expense in a country,' he explained. And if you do decide to stay in a hotel and you're heading to a big city with tons of options, he said it's best to wait until last minute because they might offer you a good deal to fill up an empty room. 'Often in the big [cities] you can find last minute same-day deals. In those places, there is so much competition among good hotels,' he said. He explained during a recent chat with the Daily Mail that he 'creates his own layovers' when he's traveling, and it's cut the cost of flights down immensely Luca also recommended investing in airport lounge access, whether that means signing up for a credit card or joining an airline loyalty program 'And before a room stays empty all night, they will lower the price throughout the day. I have stayed in five-star hotels in Dubai for 20 euros per person.' Luca also recommended investing in airport lounge access, whether that means signing up for a credit card or joining an airline loyalty program. 'You effectively get a free all-you-can eat at every airport, saving a lot of money on food,' he explained. Lastly, he said it's vital to 'pack as little as possible' since checking a bag often comes with a hefty fee. 'Most of my travels I have done with one backpack only,' shared the travel pro. 'It's lighter, cheaper and more convenient. 'You will never have to wait for your luggage and you're also more flexible.' Luca has documented his journey on Instagram and TikTok, where he's racked up more than 256,000 and 3.1 million followers respectfully. The avid traveler, who says he lives off his social media income, estimated that he's spent around $116,000 on travel expenses over the last five years. In the end, he admitted that he wouldn't recommend living full-time on the road like him to others. He said, 'You're almost never home and it's also a very expensive endeavor' In the end, he admitted that he wouldn't recommend living full-time on the road like him to others. 'I wouldn't recommend it because one does give up a lot for [this lifestyle],' Luca said. 'You're almost never home, don't see friends and family a lot and it's also a very expensive endeavor. 'That said, I'm very grateful that I could afford the travels with social media and it does give me an insane amount of freedom.'
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
I've scoured UK's top seaside towns & these resorts are best on a budget – from cheap chippies to all-day parking for £4
THERE'S no better place than the beach to keep the kids entertained during those long, hot summer holiday weeks - but even supposedly cheap days out can start to add up before you know it. Fortunately, as a mum-of-two and expert travel writer, I've scoured the UK's top seaside towns for years and know exactly where to look to find the best budget chippies, brilliant free attractions and hidden gem bays perfect for a paddle. 12 12 The UK has almost 8,000 miles of coastline, so with the weather on-side, you can enjoy fun days out to the seaside with the family without spending too much. It's one of the more affordable options during the holidays - the children love building sandcastles, paddling in the water and playing beach games like volleyball and football. But while a day out at the beach doesn't cost as much as going to a theme park or tourist attraction, inevitably the kids always want an ice cream and snacks or to play in the arcades. Plus some beach towns charge a lot for parking, or you have to get there by train - and tickets vary in price depending on when and where you go. Cafes and kiosks along the seafront can also be more expensive in some beach areas, so it's worth doing your research beforehand. Here, I share my favourite cheap seaside days out in the UK. These stunning seaside towns have plenty of affordable options, including dinner for £3.80 and £1-a-ride theme parks. And some cost under £25 for a family-of-four, for a whole day, including food and parking. Lowersoft, Suffolk Lowersoft's largely unspoilt and rugged coastline juts out into the English channel, with over 30 miles of golden sand beaches. These sandy stretches are perfect for families and often less crowded than nearby seaside towns Great Yarmouth and Southwold. 12 Lowersoft's unique location at the most easterly point of the British coast means it's the first place in the UK to see the sun come up. So, if you are a family of early-risers, you can be up and at them at the break of day. When we want to be in the action, we find a spot on Lowersoft South Beach, which is popular but has lots of amenities like beach huts and public toilets. Better still, parking at the Claremont Pier car park near South Beach costs £4 for the whole day. Everyone goes to Sunrise at Zaks, a family-run coffee shop on the beach. They do a great ham toastie for £3.30 or bacon and egg baps for £3.20. In the afternoon, grab a cup of coffee for £2 and a slab of Millionaires Shortbread or a jam scone for £2.60. Before heading home, dinner has to be from the aptly named 'The Chippy', just a short walk from the beach. This proper fish and chip shop serves a big bag of golden chips for £3 and a bag of cod bites, which the kids love, for only £2. For meat lovers, a saveloy is only £1.90. For days where we want to switch off and get away from it all, we drive 20 minutes further south to the more remote Covehithe Beach, which is a stunning bay that is only accessible by foot. Parking here is free on the grass verge at the top, but you will have to walk down the steep beach path, so pack light. There are no facilities here, but we bring a cooler with food, drinks and snacks for the day, which is the cheapest way to do it and the beach is beautiful. Both South Beach and Covehithe Beach are perfect for families. The sand is soft and fine and the shallow water is ideal for a swim or a paddle. Kids can also search for shells and little fossils along the coast. There is plenty to do in Lowersoft, including the Pleasurewood Hills theme park (entry from £19.50 if you pre-book) and East Anglia Transport Museum, where you can ride on vintage trams and vehicles (entry £12 adult, £7 child). But the beach is so nice, you'll definitely want to stay all day. It's a brilliant budget day out. Great Yarmouth, Norfolk 12 Great Yarmouth is about as quintessential a British seaside as you will get. The city's famous 'golden mile' is a picture-postcard of cheerful cafes squeezed in between bucket and spade stalls, penny arcades and fish and chip shops. There is even a children's theme park, Joyland, right on the seafront that has been in operation since 1949. This classic beach town has it all. The sandy beach is huge, but it can still get busy in the summer holidays. However, there are a few spots that are less crowded than others and we usually head to the North Beach, which is a bit further away from the arcades and attractions, but with less people squeezing onto the sand. You have to pay for parking, coming in at £8 for the day. The car parks do get busy, but you can usually get a space. 12 To save money, we eat breakfast before we get there, but the best-value breakfast is the Egg and Tots at The Beach Hut, a cafe close to the promenade. A bowl of crispy potato tots and two fried eggs is £5.50 and a cup of tea to wash them down is only £1.80. There is a lot to do here, so it's no surprise that Great Yarmouth is one of the most popular places in the UK for day trippers. In fact, Great Yarmouth is home to one of the oldest theme parks in the UK and it's free to get in. Joyland has been here since the 40s and is the epitome of wholesome family fun. Rides are priced separately, but it's only £2.50 to ride the Super Snails, which is the park's most iconic attraction. There is also a pier, a model village and fun, family activities like crazy golf and a Dotto train. We always love having fish and chips on the beach, but due to Great Yarmouth being such a popular spot, it's not the cheapest option. Instead, go to Grelly's on the front and have a hot sausage roll and chips for only £3.60. You can still have a chippy picnic on the beach, but it's half the price of the cod. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, has been attracting holidaymakers since 1871 and is one of the sunniest spots on the Essex coast. With its wall-to-wall souvenir shops, crab shacks and ice cream stands, it's not the prettiest beach of the bunch. However, what it lacks in character it makes up for in atmosphere and is one of the most fun seaside day outs in the south of England. Clacton has a great pier with amusement arcades and rides, including a classic Helter Skelter, which is £1 a ride. The beach is sunny and sandy and budget-friendly prices from local businesses and shops make it an affordable day out for families. One of the most popular things to do in Clacton is go crabbing on the pier. However, it does cost £9 for a 'fishing licence', but if you walk along the coast toward Holland-on-Sea, you can take your own bucket and spot crabs and cockles between the rocks. 12 On the way is our favourite place to stop for lunch. Flags Cafe has a really interesting menu for a beach stop - including curry, vegan options and fantastic cakes. The setting couldn't be better, right on the beach. A cheese toastie and a drink is less than £5. The kids also love the vegan ice cream options, £2 for a cone. Swimming in the sea at Clacton is not recommended, as water quality around the pier is poor, but Holland-on-sea is marked safe for a dip or a nice paddle to cool off. For dinner, we always stop off at the Toby Carvery on the way home. Even if you don't want the full roast dinner, the Toby Tasters menu, where you can get two small plates for £5.99, is excellent value. The Loaded Mac & Cheese is plenty for my kids to share. Barry Island, Wales Holidays don't get much more jolly than at Barry Island, in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. As well as the perky promenade, with children's rides from £2.50 each, candy floss shops and face painting (£6), there is a surprisingly lovely beach. Right at the front of Barry Island, Whitmore Bay is a huge crescent of golden sand. It's ideal for families to have fun in the sun, with shallow water and a gentle tide. You don't have to go far for lunch and it's a bargain too. The delicious pizza from the 'Pizza Boys' at Ffwrnes is only £8 and easily shareable. Ice creams on Barry Island are excellently priced too. £1 for a scoop, £1.50 if you want a flake. The promenade with its columned colonnade is very Instagram-friendly and if you want to spend a bit more, you can take your pick of busy cafés, burger bars and fish and chip shops. End the day on the 2p machines at the arcade. It's a simple activity, but I give my kids £1 each to change up and they are in there for ages! Scarborough, Yorkshire There's now't more wholesome than a day at the seaside in Scarborough. The sandy beach, tucked neatly in a half-moon bay, is a sweet spot on the Yorkshire coast. In summer, it can get busy here. The beach is only an hour from York. South Bay is best for families, with souvenir shops, fresh seafood shacks, ice cream parlours and amusement arcades lining the seafront. Breakfast is always at the Seastrand, a cute cafe and artist residence that is inside the old Funicular railway station. Inside is charmingly decorated, with work from local artists and you can grab a cup of tea and a homemade flapjack for £3.50. The South is also home to Scarborough's harbour. The kids love wandering through and spotting boats with unusual names. It's a great way to pass the time and keep them entertained, especially when the weather is iffy. Overlooking the bay you'll also spot the famous Scarborough Castle. The beach itself is lovely, with thick golden sand. Due to being slightly protected in the bay, water here is very clean and safe to swim in. During the summer season, the beach is patrolled by an RNLI qualified lifeguard service. Take your pick of ice cream shops along the front. Peaches and Cream is our favourite. A little cafe parlour inside a beach pavilion, they have some crazy flavours, such as Banoffee Pie and Peach. It's £2 for a cup and sprinkles and sauces are included in the price. They also have fabulous Vegan ice cream too - you can't taste the difference. You can rent one of the newly refurbished Victorian beach huts here for only £50 a day. As well as being a huge part of Scarborough's history, these are operated by North Yorkshire council and are ideal for extended families or friendship groups. They have electricity, somewhere to keep all your stuff and offer some shade on really hot days. Plus, save money on lunch and dinner by making your own. That will compensate for the parking hare, which is on the pricey side at £10 for the day.
