Happy New Year!

It’s 2025, people! What are your travel plans for this year? With thoughtful planning, you can stretch your travel budget while enjoying amazing adventures. Here are ten actionable tips to help you travel more for less. Download the Talisman Travel Tribe FREE Travel Goals Checklist.

1. Assess Your Budget and Time

Start with these key questions:

• What’s your budget, and how much time can you travel?

• If you're working, check your vacation balance and plan around holiday weekends.

• Would you prefer one big trip or multiple shorter ones?

Planning ahead can help maximize your travel deals while minimizing costs.

2. Maximize Miles and Points

• Review your airline and hotel loyalty accounts.

• Don’t have a travel rewards credit card? Now’s the time to apply.

• Consider combining, transferring, or purchasing points during promotions.

Pro Tip: Join loyalty programs if you haven’t already, and sign up for email deals to stay informed about discounts.

3. Define Your Travel Style

What’s your travel vibe for 2025?

• New destinations or familiar favorites?

• Relaxed vacations, active adventures, or a mix of both?

• Bucket-list events or seasonal experiences?

Pro-tip: Traveling off-season or during shoulder seasons can save money and reduce crowds.

4. Research and Compare Deals

• Use tools like Google Flights to find the best airfare.

• Check options for tours, cruises, and accommodations:

• Free walking tours: Guru Walk, Tours by Locals.

• Affordable tours for solo travelers: Viator, Overseas Travel Adventures (OAT), Exoticca (look for low solo supplements).

• Cruises: Repositioning cruises or deals under $100/day for solo cabins.

• Hotels: Compare loyalty program perks or discounts on platforms like Expedia.

5. Be Flexible

Flexibility is your friend. Two approaches to consider:

• Find a deal and decide that’s your destination.

• Choose a destination and look for the best deals.

For solo travelers, flexibility with dates, destinations, and travel styles can lead to significant savings.

6. Use Travel Tech Wisely

• Set fare alerts for flights.

• Use apps to track loyalty points.

• Follow travel deal websites for flash sales.

7. Plan Ahead for Popular Events

• Big events or bucket-list experiences require early planning.

• Secure flights, accommodations, and tickets well in advance to lock in lower prices.

• Check holiday calendars to join or avoid the crowds.

8. Travel Light

• Save on baggage fees and simplify your journey by packing smart.

• A well-organized carry-on can be a game-changer.

9. Consider House or Pet Sitting

• Reduce accommodation costs by house or pet sitting. It’s an excellent way to immerse yourself in local culture while saving money on accommodations.

• Check out my Talisman Travel Tribe House Sitting Course for more tips.

• Here is a referral code for 25% your first year with Trusted Housesitters.

10. Leverage Local Knowledge

• Connect with locals for insider tips on dining, activities, and hidden gems.

• Many apps and platforms make it easy to tap into local expertise.

Final Thoughts: Traveling solo well for less in 2025 is doable with the right strategies and tools. Start by downloading our free Travel Goals Checklist and take the first step toward your next adventure.