'The Poor Traveler' duo Yosh Dimen and Vins Carlos say planning ahead is key to affordable trips
In this economy, as many Gen Z flyers would say, traveling is becoming more expensive by the day.
Amid the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East, fuel prices are once again on the rise, adding to the growing costs of travel.
The negative effects of this conflict hit the Philippine economy hard. In an announcement, airfare is bound to increase when the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) decided to hike fuel surcharge from September 16 to 30, 2026 to Level 14 from Level 13 in the first half of the month.
Under Level 14, passenger surcharges range from P457 to P1,336 for domestic flights, and from P1,509.08 to P11,220.71 for international flights.
Spending for our dream travel destination is becoming a luxury and out of grasp from many Filipinos. That is why Yosh Dimen and Vins Carlos, the founders of The Poor Traveler emphasized that 'planning is the key' in keeping your travel costs down.
The Poor Traveler is a multi-platform guide for people needing a travel itinerary or wanting some helpful tips for their travel.
In a sit-down interview with Yosh and Vins at the 'Travel Tales: The Poor Traveler' event at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in partnership with travel gear seller World Traveller, they shared some important reminders about saving money in your travel.
Vins told GMANetwork.com that traveling should be "intentional" and it should be planned ahead.
“Ako siguro kailangan intentional. For example, naka-book ka ng murang fair for how many days.
“For example, four days, so you really have to research, number one talaga sinasabi namin madalas. Research about the destination and then plan it kung ano ba 'yung tina-target mo on a daily basis." He continued, “Pero consider din na parang you don't have to do it na parang ang dami-dami n'yo dapat kailangan puntahan in one day. Sisiksikin ninyo, kasi ang na-learn din namin in the past 16 years is kailangan ano ka rin in the moment.
“Pag andun ka sa isang lugar take time para magmasid, umupo, i-enjoy. Hindi 'yung parang, 'Ay hindi, nakapag-picture na ako, gora na.'”
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A well-planned trip according to Vins is essential in getting the information you need for cheaper fare or food options.
“Find the balance rin na makakapag-relax kayo in every stop. Tapos, lahat intentional kailangan planado n'yo kung magkano 'yung pamasahe. Ano 'yung next stop na malapit dito, 'tapos saan mura puwede kumain na affordable 'tapos masarap.
“Treat din na time is also a currency, so, parang kailangan at the back of your mind palaging kino-consider 'yung time. Bawal may masayang na oras, kasi 'pag may nasayang na oras- for example, masyado kang nag-enjoy o natrapik ka may na-cancel na something na tour. Tapos nandun ka na sayang naman 'yung [punta], dapat learn to adjust din. Learn to be flexible.”
Photo source: GMANetwork.com
Looking back on their journey building The Poor Traveler, Yosh Dimen felt that traveling has really become too expensive, compared to their trips a few years ago.
He pointed out that their previous Europe trip amounted to Php 230,000 in two months, but their recent travel in Europe cost them more than Php 300,000---- and here's the catch: that amount was only good for a month of traveling.
Yosh recalled, “Siyempre wala kaming data to back it up. Pero in terms of like anecdotal, personal experience ito talaga 'yung pinakamahal. Kasi, I remember ten years ago parang kahit mag-Europe, nakakapag-Europe kami na two hundred thirty thousand in two months na 'yun with air fare na 'yun and hotel. Pero 'yung last Europe namin parang nag-more than three hundred thousand kami one month lang 'yun. So, tama si Vins e you need to be more intentional.
“Kasi, we can see na mas hindi na ganun ka-frequent 'yung mga travel, kasi siyempre 'di ba mas mahal na siya. So, mas kokonti 'yung number of trips, pero make it count!”
Despite the steep cost of traveling, we Filipinos are still lucky that we can have the option to visit destinations within the country or in Southeast Asia that are worth exploring.
“Ang maganda naman we live in a country or in a region, in Southeast Asia in general na kahit saan ka pumunta, may maganda kang mapupuntuhan.”
Now marking their 16th year as travel content creators, Yosh Dimen describes their journey over the past decade and a half as a roller-coaster ride—one filled with challenges, opportunities, and constant growth.
Throughout the years, they have learned to adapt to the changing times and evolving landscape of content creation, allowing them to stay relevant while continuing to connect with their audience.
“It's a roller coaster to say the least.
“Kasi, sixteen years ang daming puwede mangyari. Naranasan namin 'yung rise ng Instagram, kasi nag-start kami travel vlog, 'di ba website, so written lang siya. 'Tapos, nagkaroon ng Instagram era, nagkaroon ng YouTube era. Nagka-pandemic and ngayon AI era, parang each of those eras na 'yun may pino-post siyang challenge e,” Yosh said to GMANetwork.com. “So, ang maipagmamalaki din namin tina-try namin mag-adapt sa kung ano man 'yung situation, kung anong'era 'yung darating. Talagang gumagawa kami ng paraan to be useful pa rin and relevant sa time.”
Check out the moments you've missed at the 'Travel Tales: The Poor Traveler' event held last September 19 in this gallery:
