1. Choose a location that is affordable
Research different destinations and choose one that is budget-friendly. Usually eastern and central Europe offer fair prices for flights, and even better when it comes to prices of activities, food and drink. Krakow is a perfect example - still not in the Euro land, with a vast array of reasonably cheap activities available for stag do groups.
2. Plan ahead: Booking in advance can save you money on flights, accommodation, and activities.
3. Use discount codes: Look for discount codes or special offers for flights, accommodation, and activities.
4. DIY activities: Plan some DIY activities that don't require hiring professionals, for example, you can organize a sports tournament, scavenger hunt or a hiking trip.
5. BYOB: Bring your own beer or alcohol to save money on drinks at bars or clubs.
6. Rent an Airbnb: Renting an Airbnb or other vacation rental property can be a more affordable option than booking multiple hotel rooms. That's a really money wise, reasonabole solution, especially if you consider the fact, that you will be spending only a couple of hours in your accommodation, as most of the day and night, you will be doing activities and having fun in town.
7. Cook your own meals ? Cooking meals in-house can save you money on restaurant bills. That said, with Krakow food and drink prices, and considering usually limited time on the spot, you will probably do better, just going to nearby restaurant. You can eat a meal in Krakow in the city center starting from 7 GBP plus 3 GBP for your beer. Obviously don't expect a sirloin steak for this budget, but some chicken or pork fillet with chips and soup is doable.
8. Avoid peak season: Avoid travelling during peak season when prices are at their highest.
9. Negotiate prices: Don't be afraid to negotiate prices for activities or services you are interested in, especially if you're coming with a large group (usually maning > 20pax) and are interested in taking multiple activities. For a single activitity booking,especially during high season, stag do companies are usually not onterested in offering discounts, but the more you'd like to book, the higher your leverage to negotiate is.
10. Use public transport or taxi apps: Public transport can be a cheaper alternative to taxis or private cars. Based on the example of Krakow, you can e.g.: take a FreeNow or similar app taxi from the airport for around 50-70PLN, and share the cost for 3-4 pax per car, or take the train from the airport to the city center (about 3 GBP/pp)- once you get to the city center / OLD Town, you can pretty much get anywhere on foot within minutes
11. Share expenses: Split the cost of accommodation, transport, and activities with the group to save money.
12. Set a budget: Set a budget for the stag do and stick to it.
13. Avoid expensive nightlife: Look for budget-friendly nightlife options like local bars and pubs. That said, you will save money, but spend time on the research. This makes more sense if you're in some expensive cities like Berlin, Paris, etc... In Krakow, most of the bars and pubs within the OLD Town and Kazimierz district will offer similar prices for a drink or beer (3-5 GBP per beer on average, and 7-10 GBP per drink- based on 2023 prices), so it's cheap enough anyway.
14. Go off the beaten path: Look for alternative activities and attractions that are less crowded and more affordable.
15. Plan a shorter trip: Consider a shorter trip to save on expenses. Instead of a weekend-long trip, plan a day trip or a one-night stay.
16. Use a group booking service: Consider using a group booking service that can negotiate discounted rates for activities, transport, and accommodation.
17. Avoid expensive flights: Look for budget airlines or non-peak hour flights to save money on air travel.
18. Choose free activities: Research free activities in the area, such as hiking or visiting local landmarks, to save money on entertainment.
19. Book a stag do package: some companies, especially locally based stag do operators, can offer a great deal if you take a comprehensive package with them, with savings reaching even 40%-60% compared to UK based comptitors.
20. Choose a local destination: Consider a local destination that doesn't require flights or long-distance travel to save on transport costs.
Overall, saving money when planning a stag do requires some research, planning, and creativity. By following these ideas, you can organize a memorable stag do without breaking the bank.
