Traveling is one of the most rewarding things we can do in our lives. But it’s also one of the most expensive. Many people put off traveling indefinitely because the costs seem daunting, unmanageable, and they don’t know how to travel on a budget.
What many people don’t know, however, is that there are several small tips and tricks you can do to lessen the overall financial burden of travel. Following just some of the tips mentioned below can save you hundreds on traveling.
“How to Travel on a Budget” Guide
Off-season Travel. First and foremost, booking a trip during a country’s off-season is a great way to reduce overall costs drastically. Not only will the flights be cheaper, but you will also avoid the masses of people that travel during peak season.
Subscribe to flight alerts that will notify you of price drops to your destination. Websites like Scott’s Cheap Flights are popular flight aggregates that routinely inform you of great deals.
Cashback Rewards. Research travel credit cards online and look into their signup bonuses. Credit cards commonly offer hundreds of dollars worth of travel credit by meeting certain conditions upon signing up with the card. Use these rewards to purchase your plane tickets, and you’ve already saved a third of the cost of travel.
Budgeting Apps. Traveling in the digital age has never been more convenient. An abundance of smartphone apps is explicitly tailored for the budgeting traveler in mind. Download a budgeting app like Trail Wallet to set limits for yourself each day. Most budgeting apps will have a way to visualize a summary of your spending. Additionally, leverage apps like Rakuten for cashback deals on hotels, transportation, and more.
Limit Meals. Often, the best part of traveling is the delicious food unique to whichever culture you’re visiting. Unfortunately, food adds up to a significant fraction of traveling expenses. Try to limit the number of meals you eat each day, and if possible, buy some of your food at local grocery stores instead of restaurants.
Perhaps eat a filling breakfast in the morning so that you can snack for the rest of the day. Or snack during breakfast and lunch and have one full meal during dinner.
Avoid Gift Shops. This one should be obvious, but gift shops are specifically designed to leach money away from tourists. Spend money on necessities and experiences instead of material objects. Reduce the number of souvenirs you bring home, and instead, show family and friends your videos and pictures.
Avoid Guided Tours. Expensive tours can be a great way to get the lay of the land, but they are sometimes overly priced to pay the tour guides. It’s often possible to research where the tours go and plan your itinerary based on that.
Walk When Possible. Not only is walking great exercise, but it will lower the costs of transportation as well.
Hostels over Hotels. Opt for a cozy hostel instead of a fancy hotel. Despite the connotations associated with hostels, several high-quality ones may surprise you.
Work While Traveling. If you do any remote or freelance work, you are in a prime position to earn money while traveling. Even while traveling in developing countries, it’s not too hard nowadays to find an internet connection. Often all you need is your laptop to do work. Depending on how long you are traveling, try to set aside a few hours a week to earn a little extra spending cash.
Travel doesn’t have to be hard
There are so many travel hacks that will make your money go a long way. Implementing just a few of the tips mentioned above will save you cash and heartache. Master the techniques on how to travel on a budget and enjoy your vacations at a fraction of a cost. Plan your trip accordingly, and take on each challenge as they arise.