“How do you afford to travel so much as a solo mom with your children? You must be rich!”

I get this question all the time. But the truth is, I am not rich, and I don’t earn a massive salary. The secret isn’t a huge bank account—it’s all about planning, priorities, and a specific mindset about life. Here is how I’ve managed to travel to 50 countries with my family without breaking the bank.

1. The Power of Daily Priorities (The Cigarette Lesson)

My travel mindset actually started back when I was a teenager. Both of my parents smoked, and back then, a pack of cigarettes cost around 30 DKK (about $6 USD). I remember looking at that and thinking: “What if, instead of smoking, I put those 30 kroner aside every single day?”

I realized that by simply shifting my priorities, that daily “cigarette money” would add up to a weekend trip or a day-trip in Denmark within just one month. Saved over a whole year, it became a full international vacation. Traveling isn’t always about having extra money; it’s about choosing where your daily money goes.

2. Hunting for Budget Flights & Traveling Light

Before the pandemic changed the travel industry, there were incredible budget airline deals if you knew how to look. For example, I once booked tickets for myself and my four children with Ryanair to Gdansk, Poland, for just 79 DKK ($11 USD) per ticket each way!

To keep costs low when you are a big family, you have to master the art of packing light:

• The One-Suitcase Rule: For a long weekend, we only check in one large suitcase for all of us combined, plus our small personal bags. Even for a full week, we try our best to stick to just one suitcase.
• The Taxi Advantage: Traveling with only one piece of luggage makes it incredibly easy and stress-free to hop into a taxi or navigate public spaces without dragging five different bags behind us.

3. Public Transport as a Life Lesson

I almost always choose public transport (trains, buses, and metros) when traveling with my kids. It saves an immense amount of money compared to private drivers, but more importantly, it is a masterclass in independence for the children. By navigating foreign subway systems and bus routes together, my kids learn how to confidently navigate and read different cities around the world. It builds their confidence for life.

4. Smart Accommodation: From Campsites to Hostels

Where we sleep depends entirely on who is traveling, and I always choose options that allow us to save on food:

• Traveling with the kids: We love staying at campsites, holiday apartments, or budget hotels. The golden rule here is having a kitchen or a fridge. This gives us the flexibility to buy groceries and eat breakfast (and sometimes dinner) “at home,” so we don’t have to spend a fortune at restaurants three times a day.
• Traveling solo: When I travel completely by myself, I always prefer staying at hostels. Not only is it the cheapest option, but it is also the best way to meet open-minded people, share stories, and make new friends from all corners of the world.

You don’t need a fortune to show your children the world. You just need a bit of planning, a willingness to pack light, and the mindset that experiences are worth far more than material things.