Once lockdown officially ends most of us are going to have one thing on our minds – travel. After being cooped up in our homes for months, the prospect of hitting the road and taking in some fresh sights and sounds somewhere new sounds like utter bliss. However, the coronavirus pandemic has also taken a major toll on the finances for many, so whilst travel might be the number one priority; saving money whilst doing so should be the second.

So, we’ve put together a few ways you can enjoy travelling in a post-lockdown UK without spending a small fortune.

Travel by rail

Whilst we have been told ad nauseam for the last few months to avoid public transport, once a vaccine is developed and social distancing systems are put in place, trains are not only going to be safe to use but will probably be the cheapest and fastest available options for transport. The roads are going to be incredibly congested, particularly in London, so even taking a train from Clapham Junction to London Bridge will cost half the time and finances as the same journey by car.

Start saving now

It’s not like we have anything exciting to spend our money on right now anyway, so why not start saving now for adventures in the near future? Set up an automatic travel savings account with your bank so that you’re not tempted to dip into it and start squirrelling away funds today.

Be flexible

Prices for travel are always fluctuating and the best off times and with the uncertainty bound to be taking root in the coming months, those fluctuations are only going to become more pronounced. So, try to be flexible about both the time and the destination if you can. Don’t settle on a definitive location and a definitive date and time as you could end up paying more than you need to.

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Sleep for cheap

Hotel prices are bound to be extortionate for the foreseeable future as the hospitality sector struggles to pull itself up by its bootstraps after an unprecedented few months of toil and hardship. So, instead of splashing out on four-star luxury, consider looking at cheaper alternatives like hostels or Airbnb. Or there’s always the classic option of asking friends for a sofa to sleep on.

The best things in life are free

Finally, you’d be amazed by how many incredible attractions and activities across the country are completely free. After months in lockdown, even the simple act of going to the beach or the park is bound to feel like an adventure and it won’t cost you a penny. Museums and art galleries are also a constant source of entertainment and are often free to enter. Be smart, do your research and don’t be put off by something just because it’s free and you’ll save lots of money on your travels.