Travelling on a budget means using every dollar spent to its full potential. Even those who are budget travelers can visit posh places and still skimp on transport, accommodation, and other net expenses.
These are some of our tips that you may find useful for traveling on a budget.
Have a Travel Plan
One of the common errors that tourists make is taking a trip without any research or previous preparations and just ‘winging it’. Impromptu travelling can be quite intriguing as every budget traveler knows, however, having an itinerary on hand might just give ideas on how to avoid spending a fortune on things that cost too much money.
To save costs verse time, start planning your trips several months in advance and aim at getting a flight at the best possible price. Many a times, airlines give a lot of leeway in terms of cheaper fares if booked a bit early and being flexible helps too. For example, Tuesdays are generally cheaper than weekends to fly out.
Budget travelers can do just that – travel on a budget by finding out how and where to travel themselves instead of unnecessarily forking out on expensive travel packages. Otherwise, even some basic coupons or local discount agencies such as Groupon can come in handy for budget travelers to save on transport and attractions, even if that means that one has to walk for more distance to their accommodation rather than use public transport.
There are times when budget travel may seem such a big ask but there is a way that everybody can travel to different countries without losing out on any joy and yes, it only has to do with your budget. When traveling, especially on a budget, there is no need to sleep in hostels and go on a binge every night. As a result, shifting your expectations can allow you to see places that are better. In some instances, it is also about not buying things which we know are going to cost us quite a bit.
Stay Local
Budget travel for me means to get away from the madding crowds. Although taxis and rental cars can be very tempting, your money will stretch further if you opt to take public transport instead. And there is also the option of local hostels which I recommend because they can provide an insight into real-life places!
One of the greatest things about budget travel is that there is literally no age barrier. These alternatives enable you to go on vacation at a fraction of the normal expense and cost of one’s travel.
Another way to cut costs while on the move would be to search for local restaurants instead of fast food or other tourist places. Some may go where they know are places with less traffic and lower prices. Shared economy platforms ensure a much cheaper price and direct communication with drivers, guides, and cooks at each place. Getting to know people is a bonus!
Eat like a Local
Experience the local cuisine by dining with locals without wasting your money. There are quite a few restaurants aimed at paying customers and not tourists that are cheap and serve a larger quantity.
If you are interested in local food culture, a local cooking class or a food tour might be a good choice to get familiar with these cultures. They include some street food tasting and market shopping. Such experiences are offered by local tour operators such as Eat Like a Local in Mexico City and BonAppetour in Spain.
In case of spasmodic spasms, it is recommended to order a side dish with the main one instead of the main one simply repeating the choice of two people for one portion. Water is always available in place of spirits. Also, stock up on snacks and drinks when you get to the local market or shop before you go.
You may hear what the locals think when talking to people who work in hotels, cafes or restaurants. Airbnb’s Experiencse and prior that allow you to stay with locals and get useful tips like they have their own basements kitchens can help you integrate with local people and cultures.
Avoid Costly Activities Wise Travel Tips:
When traveling, you should aim to practice the act of avoiding costly activities. While it may sound painfully obvious, this is a rule that is regrettably, sometimes broken. If you have to use taxis, bear in mind they are expensive and consider Uber or public transport for cheap fare. Room service may often prove to be expensive, hence do it yourself in your hotel room. Buying a $2 reusable water-bottle AND using it to refill your empty bottles at certain places in the city is also an option.
Consider flying during non-peak travel seasons to cut down on both flight and accommodation costs. Lesser crowds also make visiting local sights that much more enjoyable. To stay informed about new offers and keep track of price fluctuations, use things like Hopper or Splitwise for flight price alerts.
Budget travel cannot be overlooked as it has rather many advantages especially when you are travelling abroad. Budget travel allows traveling to many parts of the world or helps in understanding the local cultural society without being financially overburdened. Budget travel is about making advance arrangements and tracking expenditures. With time, budget traveling will be easy for everyone.
