As long as you’re stepping out of your home, you’re bound to spend money. So just imagine traveling across the world; from flight expenses to lodging costs, exploring new countries is expensive. But it doesn’t have to be! Many people just wait until they can afford to spend a fortune before they travel- but you don’t have to. Here are five tips to help you have a great travel experience, even on a shoestring budget.
Spontaneity? Red flag
It can be exciting to explore different countries without any concrete plans. You can spend as long as you want in any country; you might even decide to head over to a country you didn’t initially think of.
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However, the problem with traveling spontaneously is that it makes you spend so much money on unexpected things. To save money, plan how long you’ll be in a place, what you need to pack, and how you intend to move from country to country. This eradicates last-minute expenses and price hikes.
Accommodation: You can’t expect the princess treatment
Accommodation costs take a large chunk of your cash, especially if you’re staying for long. It’s almost as unavoidable as eating out. You can’t sleep on the streets. However, you can spend very little on accommodation. How?
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You could stay in shared rooms in hostels, which would reduce costs further. Couchsurfing is also another option that significantly saves you money. Research online for alternative accommodations in the places you intend to visit.
Travel in the ‘shoulder season’
Flights are more expensive in festive seasons or school holiday seasons. While these price hikes might seem insignificant, traveling to three or four places during this season can add up.
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Travel just before or after the busy seasons for the best flight deals. During this time, you don’t have to struggle with crowds at the airport or fight for hotel rooms as most people aren’t traveling.
How to eat and still have spending money
You can’t know if you’re overspending when you just enter the first restaurant you spot. Many overpriced restaurants are in popular tourist areas, so avoid these gimmicky hotspots.
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Instead of dining in the first restaurant you see, wander around a bit to compare prices. If you’re staying in a hostel with a kitchen, the cheapest option is cooking your meals. The locals can teach you how to make authentic recipes.
Who needs premium? Standard comfort gets the job done
Flying business class is awesome, we know, but the issue is that it’s not budget-friendly. Since you’ll only be spending a few hours on the flight, it’s better to fly economy if you want to save money.
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Aside from flights, you can also reduce your transportation costs in town by taking public buses and trains instead of taxis. Taking overnight trains even saves you accommodation costs for a night. What could be more cost-effective?
