How to Travel on a Budget
My main objective every year is to go on at least one trip outside of the country. Doing so, I often am asked, “How do you afford to do that?” The answer is pretty simple. Throughout the year, I obviously accumulate some savings, but when it comes to the trip itself, there are a few small and easy ways to cut costs.
SAVE, SAVE, SAVE
This goes without saying, but before even planning where you want to go, just get a comfortable amount of money saved into a separate account. Your savings for this could be as little as $1000, which is more than enough for a round trip ticket out of the country!
GET SPONTANEOUS
Most of my trips do not have a direction at the beginning. When it comes down to it, looking on Skyscanner, Student Universe, or whatever site I may be looking at, I really just type in my dates and then filter from low to high for costs. If the lowest priced place catches my eye, I would go ahead and book that! This is typically how I find the cheapest tickets, sometimes as low as $400 to Europe or Asia from the states. Once you find something, I would try to use a different VPN on your computer, incognito tab, clear your cookies, or use a different computer to book; companies track your cookies and browsing history, which can negatively impact the pricing.
EAT LIKE THE LOCALS WOULD
Here is a large area where you can easily cut those costs. Instead of eating at restaurants for your meals, try to eat street food. Street food traditionally is the result of generations of recipes passed down, and also happens to be the cheapest for meals as well. To me, this is the most authentic way to experience the culture as well! Another way is to ask locals on the street where their favorite places are or what their favorite dishes are, or simply make a short trip to areas outside of the city!
KEEP A BUDGET
Before heading out on your vacation, the easiest way for me to keep costs low is to give myself a set amount that I cannot go over. Sounds easy, but take it one step further! Instead of using an international credit card and withdrawing money every so often, I only bring what I want to spend in cash. Majority of people do not do this because they feel that it is unsafe, however I have never had any issues with any money being lost. Just make sure you have a few hiding spots with small amounts, so that it is easier. Plus, it is an added benefit when you are traveling to countries that do not have ATM’s or accept cards at all.
USE OTHER METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION
Needless to say, taxis can add up! With the growing expansion of Uber and Lyft, many people also opt for these options, which is better on pricing, but can still take up a large amount of money. Leaning towards public transportation is usually a lot cheaper, plus you get to see a lot more along the way. In some countries, this can even just be hopping in the back of a truck, but go along for the ride and save yourself a few bucks to go towards a cheap meal!
OPT FOR ACCOMMODATIONS THAT AREN’T HOTELS
Although hotel rooms are more luxurious, they are typically overpriced. Plus, when I find something in my price range, it is not a hotel that I’m incredibly excited to stay in. Instead, look for accommodations such as hostels or even Airbnb’s. Another plus to this is that hostels and Airbnb’s sometimes provide breakfast also. There are additionally sites where you can look for couch surfing, which is a great option for meeting new people on a deeper level. If possible, there are plenty of countries where bringing a backpacking tent or hammock can become your home for the duration of your stay.
FIND THE FREE ACTIVITIES
Of course, heading to your destination there are usually a few museums or shows that you want to go to no matter what. However, for those days that are open in your itinerary, look for the free activities! Most towns have free walking tours, which is a fantastic way to learn how to get around by foot. Often at hostels, I have seen free classes or activities which range from drink making to going to see waterfalls for the day. Keep an eye out on bulletin boards or in areas that have public postings for these spontaneous adventures.
TRAVEL LIGHT
I know this isn’t for everyone, but traveling light has many positives. For example, if you can fit everything you need into your carry on or in a backpack, you do not have to pay extra fees for checking in (if your airline charges). This also applies to getting around, because sometimes buses will charge or porters will ask for tips. In the end, it will save you a few extra dollars and from plenty of baggage related headaches.
Have your own tips & tricks? Leave a comment below to share with others!
