Northern Lights tops Brits' travel bucket list - how to see them at a lower cost

10 May 2023 , 15:24

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The Northern Lights has topped travel bucket lists for Brits (Image: Elena Pueyo/Getty Images)

Seeing the Northern Lights, and visiting the Statue of Liberty, are among Brits' top travel bucket list activities – but how can you visit these popular tourist locations without breaking the bank?

A travel money expert has revealed his top tips for ticking some dream trips off your wish list, without forking out eyewatering amounts of money.

It comes as a survey of 2,000 holidaymakers found that 76% claim they don't get to travel as much as they would like – with the average Brit having 16 “bucket list” destinations they are desperate to visit.

These include visiting the Colosseum in Rome, driving Route 66 in the USA – and going on safari in Africa.

Seven in ten (71%) of those who wish they could travel more, say the cost holds them back – with 67% claiming the cost-of-living crisis has had an impact on their travel plans.

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But Jack Mitchell, from travel money firm FairFX, has spent more than a decade helping holidaymakers get the best deals for their foreign excursions, and visit their top destinations for a fraction of the cost.

Northern Lights tops Brits' travel bucket list - how to see them at a lower cost

Jack Mitchell has shared his tips for visiting the top travel bucket list destinations without breaking the bank (FairFX/SWNS)

With seeing the aurora borealis at the top of most people's wish lists, most travellers flock to pricey Iceland to do so.

However, Jack suggests instead heading to Sweden – specifically, the little-known town of Abisko, in the north of the Scandinavian country.

The snowy Swedish settlement is one of the best spots to clearly witness the natural phenomenon between September and March – without the eyewatering accommodation costs compared to Iceland.

Those seeking the Northern Lights on a budget can make further savings by hiring a car and downloading free apps to discover the prime locations – as opposed to forking out for a tour and a guide.

For travellers wanting to embrace their wild side on an African safari, heading for the south of the continent in the low season, from December to March, is where the best savings can be made compared to the east.

Jack highlighted Zimbabwe as a great alternative, as the country offers very competitive options for travellers, as well as access to many of the essential safari animals.

And while New York isn’t often associated with a budget break, the Statue of Liberty can be experienced for a pittance – with free ferry tickets included with the purchase of most tourist discount passes around the city.

To see even more of New York cheaply, the NYC Ferry connects five boroughs and has a route from Midtown West to Staten Island – where you can get stunning views of the Statue of Liberty – from as little as $4.

And to make spending money go further, Jack highlighted museums with weekly free or “pay-what-you-wish” hours – like Frick Madison on Thursday afternoons, Guggenheim Museum on selected Saturday afternoons, and the Jewish Museum which is free every Saturday.

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Jack said: “Despite feeling the pinch amid the cost-of-living crisis, the nation’s passion for travelling and exploring the world hasn’t been subdued.

“But for any traveller, no matter what their budget, doing the legwork about the destination is essential to making your money go further, and enabling you to tick off entries on your travel bucket list.

“Whether that’s discovering the local hacks, or just getting the most competitive rates with your travel money, it all goes a long way to making lifelong memories without breaking the bank.”

The average traveller plans to tick off two dream destinations in the next 12 months (FairFX/SWNS)

The research also found Europe is the most popular continent for travellers to tick off items on their bucket lists, followed by North America and Asia.

Beaches, wild nature, and mountainous regions were the top types of destinations jetsetters want to explore.

Movies and TV shows give holidaymakers the most inspiration when it comes to adding more to their lists, with 34% seeking advice from family and friends – while 27% have been inspired by social media.

But despite the cost-of-living crisis, 53% have still managed to tick off an item on their travel wish list within the last year – and the average traveller is hoping to experience two more of their dream locations within the next 12 months.

In an attempt to keep these costs down, 41% are trying to book their getaways further in advance, and 35% are committed to exploring discount breaks.

Meanwhile, 24% of those polled, via OnePoll, are spending longer researching travel currency to ensure the best price.

Jack, from FairFX, added: “With so much to see and do across the world, it can almost feel like an impossible task compiling a realistic travel bucket list.

“And for many it can seem daunting trying to see as much of it as possible – but if there’s a will, there’s a way, and it’s encouraging to learn how these determined travellers are exploring options to go on adventures within budget.”

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