A savvy traveler is sharing her secrets for exploring the world for less than the cost of a UK train ticket.
Natalie Barrett, a digital platform manager from Leeds, used to spend hours searching for the best deals on comparison websites to plan her trips abroad.
However, with costs averaging up to £1,000 per person and the need to take significant time off work, travel planning became more stressful than enjoyable.
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Determined to break free from her routine, the 41-year-old has managed to visit nine countries in just five months, spending only £800 in total.
“I loved the idea of being able to travel and experience a taste of a location in a day for relatively little money,” Natalie shared with Luxury Travel Daily.
She emphasized the importance of flexibility in finding the best deals, often traveling midweek when flights are cheapest. Although her annual leave is limited, Natalie aims to find weekend dates for future trips to maximize her travel opportunities.
Natalie typically travels with her boyfriend, her sons, or to meet long-distance friends, but sometimes she ventures out alone.
According to LNER, the average train ticket from Leeds to Newton Abbot costs £390.60 for a standard class return. In contrast, Natalie spends no more than £150 per person for an entire trip abroad, except for one single journey.
“Each trip tends to be between one or two days, otherwise the costs start to rack up with accommodation, more meals, and sightseeing,” she explained.
By visiting more than one country during longer trips, Natalie finds better value compared to separate trips for each location. “My quality of life has improved so much. Travel is definitely good for the mind. I get so much enjoyment out of planning and exploring new places,” she added.
One of her favorite trips so far has been to Prague, with Alicante coming in a close second. Natalie’s upcoming travel plans include visits to Belfast, Romania, Monaco, Brussels, and Milan, with day trips to Lake Como, Verona, and Bergamo—all for under £500 in total.
Natalie shares her travels on Instagram (@travelmorewithnat), hoping to inspire others to explore the world for a day without spending a fortune. “I’ve been so lucky that most trips have gone smoothly,”
she said, attributing this success to thorough planning and research. While she has faced a few flight delays, they have fortunately been on return journeys, so she hasn’t lost time at her destinations.
Her advice for those looking to start traveling on a budget? “Just plan the day, know how to get from the airport to the city, what you want to do, pre-book things if necessary, and just go and enjoy it,”
she encouraged. Natalie pointed out that a day out in London would cost far more than any of her trips abroad, with peak train tickets alone costing over £250, excluding sightseeing and food costs.
Despite her love for traveling, Natalie has cut down on other expenses such as buying new clothes, nights out, and takeaways to save money for her adventures.
“I would much rather save the money to spend on seeing new countries and experiencing new things,” she explained.
COST BREAKDOWN
- Geneva & Montreux – £115 (incl. parking, flights, train travel, food and drink)
- Alicante – £72 (incl. parking, flights, bus travel, food, drink and sightseeing)
- Copenhagen & Malmo – £150 (incl. parking, flights, train travel, food, drink and sightseeing)
- Tirana & Struga – £103 (incl. flights, hotel, bus, food and drink)
- Prague – £110 (incl. parking, flights, sightseeing, food and drink)
- Dubrovnik & Mostar – £250 (incl. parking, flights, hotel, sightseeing, food and drink)
TOTAL: £800
By sharing her budget travel tips, Natalie hopes to inspire others to discover the joy of exploring new places without breaking the bank.
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SOURCE: ‘I’ve visited nine countries in five months – and it’s only cost me £800’
