Traveling to exotic locales does not have to be expensive if you know how to manage your money, and you do not have to win the lottery to explore the world. We’ve compiled budget travel tips to assist you in planning a holiday you will enjoy without breaking the bank.
1. Make a travel plan
Traveling on the spur of the moment is excellent if you have the luxury of time and money to spare. However, if you want to travel on a small budget, you must first make a strategy. Even if you don’t require a comprehensive, hour-by-hour timetable, the direction of your epic voyage should be recognized. At the absolute least, you should have an idea of how much time you will spend in each city or country. Less reliance on chance means fewer unplanned expenditures; last-minute travel and hotel might be prohibitively expensive.
2. Be aware of your lodgings
Hostel dorm rooms are better to costly hotel suites. Sharing a location instantly divides expenditures, and shared bunk rooms allow you to meet individuals who may be interested in going exploring with you. Websites like AirBnB and Couchsurfing, which allow you to book a spare room in a local’s house or apartment, are other excellent possibilities. It will decrease your costs in half and provide you with a true taste of city life. Consider your host to be your own tour guide who is knowledgeable about the best restaurants and tourist sites in the neighborhood.
Consider staying with family or friends instead. Reach out to acquaintances or plan a vacation to an area where a long-lost relative or schoolmate presently dwells; doing so may take you to places you would not have explored otherwise.
3. Pack wisely for a stress-free trip
Aside from a few souvenirs, pack everything you’ll need to prevent having to go shopping while you’re away. Always have at least one pair of long trousers, a warm sweater, and a waterproof jacket with you everywhere you go. Check out our ‘Travel Like a Master’ packing guide for thorough instructions on how to pack for all sorts of vacations.
4. Travel during the off-season
Avoid traveling over the summer since prices will rise and businesses will try to take advantage of families who can only travel during these weeks. Determine the best time to go to your destination, and then depart immediately before or after these dates. You’ll have a lovely trip even if the sun isn’t shining quite as brightly (on the plus side, it won’t be quite as hot). This is referred to as the “shoulder season.” Hotels and airlines are lowering their prices to attract passengers during this time period.
5. Purchase your tickets ahead of time
Particularly important are return flights, as it is never ideal to run out of money while vacationing abroad without a safe method to return home. Airlines “release” available tickets up to a year in advance, and as departure day near, prices climb, especially in the last month.
6. When flying, exercise extreme caution
Choose a Tuesday to go. Because weekend flights are more expensive, midweek flights are less expensive, and there are shorter waits at security and check-in counters. Fly in economy as well; regardless how comfortable Business Class looks to be, there is no reason to upgrade. You may use the money you save by buying cheap tickets to pay for food or hotel when you arrive. Budget, low-cost airlines typically provide affordable flights that are appropriate for them. If you’re traveling somewhere for the weekend, try to pack light and only bring hand luggage to save money on hold luggage.
7. Make use of public transit
Buses and trains are less costly than flying. It’s that simple! An overnight train travel also saves you money by removing the need for an extra hostel night.
8. Earn money while traveling
Working vacations are a fantastic method to pay to travel for many months of the year. In the winter, you may teach skiing, and in the summer, you can look after visitors visiting the Mediterranean, or you can earn money by teaching a language in Thailand. If you can work “on the go,” you can even conduct freelance work while traveling. There are nearly endless possibilities.
9. Do not waste cash
Instead of dining at an expensive café or restaurant, you may buy cheap lunches from a supermarket or even a local fresh food market. Look around before deciding on a restaurant for supper; if you choose the first one you come across, you won’t know whether you’re overpaying. Beer with every meal rapidly adds up; if you select water occasionally, your wallet and waistline will thank you. If you choose to save money by cooking for yourself, hostels and vacant rooms typically have access to a kitchen.
