3 Holiday Destinations That Are Cheaper Than You Think!

Have you ever been perusing holiday destinations on the internet, only to find a place you’d love to go that you think you can’t afford? Don't worry, we've all been there. However, I'm here to tell you that, with the right knowledge, you can live it up in the most luxurious of destinations on a budget if you put your mind to it and plan simply. So, which destinations have previously been deemed "unattainable" price wise by the public? And how on EARTH does one manage to go to those places on the cheap?

Meribel, France
They say that skiing is the sport of kings and, when inquiring about the average price of hiring skis and staying in a location like Meribel, you quickly discover what they mean. Skiing is usually frighteningly expensive, especially if you plan on staying right in the heart of a famous resort. Though, despite the fact that staying in a chalet in Meribel could potentially cost more than €10,000 per week (I know, I also experienced heart palpitations when initially seeing that figure), prices quickly fall if you go further down the mountain.

It’s rather important to note that the prices quoted for some chalets reflect the convenience of being a mere few meters from the main ski lifts. Other than that, you’re not really getting an awful lot more for your money. Yes, it’s lovely to be able to roll out of bed, pick up your skis, and walk 100 yards to the nearest gondola, but is it really worth paying thousands of euros for the privilege? For most of us, absolutely not.

As soon as you move out of the heart of Meribel, prices drop dramatically; selecting a hotel further down the mountain and subsequently hiring a car to drive up to the lifts is a much cheaper way of getting the exact same experience. Or, if that doesn't suit you either, there's also the option of getting a bus into town. Food is also a lot cheaper in these areas too, especially if you choose to go down the self-catered route; once you're out of the touristy parts, you're good to go.

Source: Pexels

New York, USA
New York is home to the second largest population of people worth more than $30 million in the whole world. It’s a city brimming with ultra-wealthy individuals, just losing out on the top spot to London. Due to this, as you might imagine, prices in the centre of New York are sky high: Manhattan isn’t a cheap place to stay at all.

However, as is the case for most of these overly expensive destinations, as you begin to get further and further away from the centre, you'll notice that the prices tend to drop accordingly. Personally, I would recommend getting yourself an accommodation off the island of Manhattan and then travelling in on the subway in each morning to go and experience city life at its finest. That way, you can benefit from all the sights and sounds of the city without having to pay those hefty premium rates.

London, UK
London, as we all know, is a bright, bustling city with so much to offer and, although at first glance it may seem expensive, it really doesn’t have to be if you're savvy enough. By doing the necessary research prior to your trip, you'll find that there are a whole host of budget friendly places and, by cleverly avoiding the majority of West London, most of the prices will come down. Big tourist hotspots will, of course, aim to rip people off (as expected) but, aside from this, there are many different ways to enjoy London. You can even find stunning accommodation too - with serviced apartments, you'll always be able to add that element of luxury to your stay in London.

Source: Pexels

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post.

Thank you so much for reading today's post on these 3 holiday destination that, despite misconceptions, can actually be made a lot cheaper than you think! I'd certainly love to visit New York myself but, being a student, I'm in no position to just splash out - hopefully these little tips can help those of you in a similar boat!

Have you ever had your heart set on an overly expensive destination? How did you manage to budget and work around the steep prices?

Let me know in the comments section below, along with any other feedback, questions or queries you may have for me! Also, you guys owe me one last favour (it's a quick one, I promise) - don't forget to follow/subscribe by email to be notified each time I post!

Until next time,
Marina Rosie x

25 comments

Diffusing the Tension20 May 2020 at 19:27
This came at a perfect time! My husband and I were talking the other night about sometime in the next 3 or 4 years taking a week trip to London. (It's my dream trip, so I want to do it right.)
Tasheena20 May 2020 at 20:02
Thanks for sharing these destinations. Looking forward to checking them out with my family.
Nat20 May 2020 at 20:27
Pinning this for future travel plans! Thank you for sharing!
Unknown20 May 2020 at 20:41
I really want to go to New York so I'm definitely going to take your advice and stay out of the city centre, otherwise I might never get to go there.
Heather D20 May 2020 at 21:51
Many places are a lot cheaper right now with people being hesitant to travel.
AiringMyLaundry20 May 2020 at 22:13
I'll keep these in mind. I'd love to get to London. And back to NY! I love it there. We hope to travel this summer.
Unknown21 May 2020 at 15:45
We went to NYC for a Holiday trip a few years ago and stayed in Manhattan. It was a little expensive, but we had a blast. -LYNNDEE
Heather21 May 2020 at 18:05
Can't wait to start traveling again. We love London and NYC. I did find London to be pretty expensive with the conversion rates when we went but it was so worth every penny!
solrazo.com22 May 2020 at 05:49
My mom-in-law stays in West Kendington, still far from London proper. She said that trully, staying in London is an awesome experience. She is also a good bargain finder when it comes to staycation expenses. Thanks for sharing this good post.
Lizzie Lau22 May 2020 at 06:01
I haven't been to New York yet. There are so many things I want to see there, so I know I'll spend some money, but I have friends there to crash with so that will mitigate the cost of the adventure.
Gust si Aroma22 May 2020 at 07:47
I would like to visit Maribel, France or London. These are destinations that I would like to visit one day!
nathalie Voche24 May 2020 at 17:20
These are a great lists of places I can't wait to travel soon
Jayne12 June 2020 at 15:37
Great post, I'm hoping to get back into travelling once the lockdown ends. I'd never have thought of using a serviced apartment in London so thanks for the idea.