Traveling can be expensive but I think that we should all have the chance to do it at some point or the other. When you add up all the airfare, accommodations, food, and excursions it can seem unaffordable. Do not let the fear of being on a budget, stop you from exploring or taking that once in a lifetime vacation!
Traveling on a budget
There are many different ways to travel on a budget, saving people hundreds of dollars around the world. In today’s post, I will be sharing the best tips and tricks on how to enjoy your travels even when you’re low on cash.
Plan ahead
First off, plan ahead. You might be thinking..”No duh! Of course, I will plan my travels ahead!” But you don’t know how many people begin their trip and end up surprised because they were not prepared.
I suggest doing extensive research about the area you will be visiting. Search for ways to save money in that particular area, look for different activities that don’t cost much. I always check to see if there are free events offered during the time of my visit. Doing this has brought me to local cookouts, tours, and even festivals in that area, for free! The Internet has pretty much everything on it, do some research on this, take advantage of your source and ask it anything!
information.
Food
If you plan to stay in a hotel, the best idea is to get a room with a kitchen or a hotel that offers complimentary breakfast. This can save a decent amount of money depending on how long you stay and how many people are traveling with you.
Book now and save on your Hotel with this link!
When it comes to having a nice fancy meal on your travels, lunch is the best option. Usually, many of the dinner menu options are offered during lunchtime with a smaller portion and cheaper price. I suggest avoiding the touristy restaurants, they seem to be the most expensive and time-consuming.
Since I get hungry often, I always try to bring snacks around with me wherever I go. This makes it easy to grab food quickly whenever I feel the urge to eat and it helps me save money. Bringing snacks prevents all the fast-food stops and from having to run into a gas station.
Off-season
Being flexible while traveling is important and can definitely save you money. When you travel off-season, you save money and time too! Prices rise when lots of people begin to travel in numbers. Off-season airplane tickets have proved to save hundreds of dollars. Just make sure you plan this ahead thoughtfully location wise, as well. If not, you could end up in the Bahamas during hurricane season, locked up in your room!
Booking.com
Along with saving you money for airplane tickets, accommodations will be cheaper too! During the off-season, it is easier to find a room to stay in, that will fit your budget. Also, I have heard that there are times that you can purchase a more luxurious room for less just because fewer people are visiting.
Lastly, there will be less of a line and crowd when it comes to waiting at certain places or being at a tourist attraction. You will find yourself meeting more of the locals from that town.
Money
What to avoid:
-Money exchange booths can be found almost anywhere but generally, they offer terrible exchange rates or trick you into charging you double!
-Traveler checks have practically been replaced by ATM’s. I suggest avoiding them because it is difficult to find merchants that will accept travelers’ checks these days.
What to use:
-A credit card that has none or very low international fees is a great option. Make sure to confirm when you are being charged, that it is in the local currency and not in dollars.
-Cash. Something that has proved to help me is wearing a money belt. This has kept me in a peace of mind, knowing my money is completely hidden from sight and it is secure. Cash has been my best option so far.
In conclusion, I suggest using cash for most of your payments. I would try and limit the number of times that I did a withdrawal from the ATM to prevent high international charges. Some ATM’s charge about $5 to withdrawal money, so withdrawal what you need for a couple days to prevent having to do it every day on your trip.
Luggage
Many airplane lines vary on their luggage fees and what they expect for the size. Try to be prepared for their expectations so you know how much money to bring or how much stuff to leave at home. Most airplane lines allow a carry-on item that is under 40 pounds and a certain height and width.
I use a carry-on known as an “e-bag” for my each of my travels. I couldn’t imagine not having this bag, it has a variety of pouches forcing you to stay organized and tidy. It makes traveling easier and you can fit everything in just one bag instead of having to carry multiple.
This e-bag is perfect for either a student or a professional, because of the overall design. It also includes straps that can be tucked away, allowing you can carry it just like a handbag or briefcase. It can’t get much better than that!
I also use eBags Packing Cubes to keep the inside of my luggage organized. The cubes make it easy to access whatever I am trying to get at that specific time.
If you don’t already have one, make sure to invest in a carry-on that will hold everything you need to bring, is strong and reliable, and is easy to carry around! Trust me when I say that you don’t want to end up overcharged for having too many bags. Or not have enough room for all of the souvenirs that you want to bring home!
Accommodations
When traveling there are more options than just hotels, especially if you are on a budget.
You can be hosted by a local, which is completely free and indulges you deeper into the culture. Staying in host families is how I spent a year of my travels abroad. I personally think I learned much more by staying with them than any other type of accommodation.
Read about My Experience Of Staying With 35 Host Families
Hostels These are another way of living while traveling on a budget, they are shared facilities that can look somewhat like a dorm. There are also hostels available that offer single and double rooms that can fit your budget!
Click here for 20% off your hostel booking fee!
Another accommodation option is staying in an Airbnb. They can be single rooms, apartments, homes, houseboats, or even castles! Pretty much anything that people can rent out from the host to use for accommodation. These are a great option for saving money on where you stay. Personally, I have rented a whole house for a weekend with Airbnb, for less than half the cost of what a night in a hotel would be.
You can use this link to get $40 in travel credit when you sign up for your first Airbnb stay!
Extra Tips For Traveling On A Budget
-Learn about the tipping service for your specific destination ahead of time. This can save you money because it isn’t customary to do this in every country. I’m not saying people won’t be happy for the tip, but it isn’t expected.
-Wi-Fi is offered for free in a variety of places such as cafe’s, hotels, and airports.
-Signing up for different travel newsletters and/or travel loyalty points has many benefits and offers.
-Don’t forget, cruises are another option of a way to travel. They can help you contain your spending and keep within your budget because cruises are commonly all-inclusive.
Interested in a cruise? Grab this Printable Packing List Of Everything You Need To Pack For A Cruise
So, go on…realize it is okay to have wanderlust even if you are not the richest person! Just make sure to plan ahead and use these tips and I can assure you that you will save hundreds!! Traveling on a budget is possible, I encourage you to start planning your next trip. I am sure, you deserve it!
Let me know what you think? Have you traveled on a budget before? Did you succeed?
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