Most people love travel and the thrill of seeing new places. However, anyone who’s ever traveled before knows that it doesn’t always come cheap. The prices associated with going on a trip can quickly start to add up, putting a real dent in your bank account.
For this reason, many people travel less than they would like. So, what if we were to tell you that you could still travel without having to take out a second mortgage? Take a look at some of the most effective ways to travel while still staying within your budget:
Choose an Affordable Destination
When looking for places to travel to, it’s essential to look into the cost of living. By having an idea of how much it costs to live there, you can anticipate what kind of costs you’re looking at.
If you’re on an extremely tight budget, then you probably want to steer clear of places which are notoriously known for being pricey—such as London and Singapore. Instead, try to focus on destinations which are known for having better deals—such as Portugal or Malaysia. Once you know where you’re going—get all of your visa requirements in order before you get on the plane—this could save you money and a headache—the last thing you want to experience is arriving at your destination of choice and being told you need a visa, and not being able to get one. Plus, visas are usually cheaper pre-arrival than they are after landing.
By building your trip around your financial limits, you’ll be able to avoid running out of cash before the trip ends.
Look For Flight Deals
One of the biggest expenses of your travel costs will be paying for airfare. By cutting your flight price down significantly, you’ve already won half the battle.
There are many different tips for finding cheaper flight deals. Start by using a discounted travel website, like Travelocity or Kayak. When looking for flights, it’s ideal to remain flexible. Don’t choose specific dates if you want to find the cheapest deals.
Try to travel outside of holidays or weekends. You may want to consider searching for flights at nearby airports from your destination. Often smaller airports which require a little drive are significantly cheaper than the main airport.
Find Cheap Accommodations
Once upon a time, a lot of people believed that Airbnb was the cheapest form of accommodation. However, times have changed. As Airbnb has become more popular, the demand has increased.
It’s best to do your research to determine whether a hotel may be a cheaper option in your destination of choice. If you’re traveling on your own or with a friend, you may want to consider staying in a hostel, it may be lacking the bells and whistles of a hotel or Airbnb, but if saving money is your priority then it’s often the best choice. I personally traveled throughout Europe on a tight budget and exclusively stayed in hostels (best decision, ever). I made friends along the way and I saved a ton of money. All of the hostels I found I booked through Hostel World.
Pack Lightly
Long gone are the days of airlines allowing you to check a bag for free. Nowadays, most airlines charge you an additional fee to check a bag. To save yourself at least $120, consider packing light. By only traveling with your carry-on bag, you also save yourself the hassle of having to wait in baggage claim—and the chance of dealing with lost luggage.
Packing light may mean you won’t have enough clothes to get you through your vacation, but you can easily find a local laundromat. If you decided to book an Airbnb, you may even have access to a laundry facility—just message the host to find out.
Packing light and utilizing local laundromats helped me stay within budget on my month long Euro trip. Just grab a book and people watch while you wait on your clothes, or, better yet, opt for the drop-off service. Depending on where you are traveling to, the drop-off service option may not be as expensive as your home country or city.
Use Public Transportation
Rather than catching a cab or an Uber every time that you have to get around, consider taking public transportation. It may require a bit of a learning curve; however, the savings are significantly lower when you get around by yourself.
Most cities offer online timetables or paper brochures which provide all of the information you need. Not only will you save plenty of money, but it could be a great adventure!
How do you save money while traveling? Let us know in the comments below!
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