A Year of Budget Travel: 8 Low Cost Trips Taken in 2024
2024 was a year filled with incredible budget-friendly travel experiences for us.
Ranging from magical Disney moments to snowy Lapland adventures and then plenty of sun-soaked Italian escapes too.
Each one, we found using the search tools available on the Build a Break website and never paying more than £500pp for our flights and hotel. Although, most are breaks were around £200 per person!
Here’s a roundup of my 8 mini-breaks and how we kept them affordable without compromising on unforgettable memories.
For reference we use Manchester and Liverpool airports for our travels.
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January: A Disneyland Paris Day Trip
To celebrate my daughter’s 12th birthday, we took on an extreme day trip to Disneyland Paris. Flying from Manchester at 7 am and departing Paris at 10 pm, we packed in an incredible day!
Highlights included 9 rides, the Lion King show, the parade, and photos at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
An exhausting day out, but totally worth it.
Costs:
1 Day/2 Park Pass for Disneyland Paris : £75.50pp
Flights: £89.98pp
Totals: £165.48pp
February: 3 Days in Lapland
A 3-day trip to Rovaniemi, Lapland, with a friend offered a mix of snowy adventures and luxury.
We stayed one night on a bed of ice at the Arctic SnowHotel and enjoyed a snow sauna the next morning.
The itinerary also included a visit to Snowman World, a reindeer sleigh
ride, husky sledding, and a thrilling night time snowmobile safari with Lappish BBQ.
Costs:
Flights: £48pp
Accommodation for 2 nights: £203pp
Activities: £286pp
Totals £537pp
February: 3 Days in Marrakech
A 3-day Marrakech escape with my husband- our first time abroad together childfree in 18 years!
We stayed in a riad, explored the desert on a quad bike and camel, and enjoyed traditional Berber tea.
We dined in some fantastic restaurants and shopped in the souks.
Costs:
Flights: £120pp
Accommodation: £74pp
Activities: £35pp
Totals: £229pp
april: 4 Days in Italy- Turin, Milan, lake Garda & Verona
Our family spent 4 days in Italy during the Easter holidays, flying into Turin and returning from Verona.
This trip was the cheapest of the year with the outbound flights to Italy costing just £8.49pp!
Highlights included a day in Milan, exploring Lake Garda, and indulging in lots of Italian cuisine and Aperol Spritz.
Costs:
Flights: £37pp
Accommodation: £12pp (Turin), £18pp (Lake Garda)
Transport (trains and taxis): £34pp
Totals: £101pp
May: Solo Southern Italy Adventure- Reggio Calabria, Scilla & Tropea
I ventured solo to Calabria for 4 days, exploring Reggio Calabria, Scilla, and Tropea.
For accommodation I rented an apartment for six in Scilla, which had a large balcony, giving a stunning view of Chainlea and the castle.
I also spent one night in Tropea in an apartment for two with views of the sea.
This trip would have been far cheaper per person, if travelling as a family and splitting accommodation costs, as the flights were a steal at just £28 return!
Costs:
Flights: £28
Accommodation: £198 (Scilla), £62 (Tropea)
Totals: £288
July: 4 Days in Switzerland- Geneva, Montreux, Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen
Switzerland was the ultimate solo summer destination.
The trip started by flying in to Geneva, spending 1 night in Montreux then taking some bucket-list trains from Montreux to Interlaken.
I then spent a further two nights in Interlaken, exploring Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald too.
To keep costs down I stayed 3 nights between two youth hostels- something I haven't done since I was 18.
Costs:
Flights: £130pp
Accommodation: £60 (Montreux), £112 (Interlaken)
Activities: £245pp (GoldenPass Trains and Glacier Canyon Ticket)
Totals: £547
October: 4 Days in Sicily
This solo 4-day trip began by flying into Reggio Calabria on the Italian mainland then taking a foot ferry to Sicily.
I stayed in Messina and explored Cefalù and Taormina, soaking up the charm of this beautiful island.
Costs:
Flights: £52
Accommodation: £166
Totals: £218
November: Christmas at Disneyland Paris
As our other one day trip to Disneyland Paris was so successful, I decided to repeat the trip for my daughter’s 9th birthday- this time with a 1 night stay.
Luckily the date coincided 'Mickey's Enchanted Christmas' celebrations, making it a wonderfully festive trip too.
With budget flights and a nearby great value hotel, this quick trip to Disneyland Paris was cheaper than a party.
Costs:
Flights: £33pp
Disneyland tickets: £92pp
Hotel: £33pp
Totals: £158pp
Tips for Planning a Budget Trip
Plan in advance: Book flights and accommodations early to secure the best deals.
Be flexible: Travelling midweek or off-season can significantly reduce costs.
Use local transport: Trains, buses, and ferries often cost less than private transfers.
Choose budget accommodations: Youth hostels and apartments are great for saving money.
2024 proved that with careful planning and a sense of adventure, incredible experiences are possible without breaking the bank.
Here’s to more budget-friendly travels in 2025!