Traveling can be expensive, but with a few budget-friendly tips, you can find yourself traveling the world! From backpacking across Europe, driving across America, or a quick jaunt to Mexico, these tips and tricks will keep you from breaking the bank.
1: Check For Local Hostels
Many places offer cheap room and board for those willing to trade hotel amenities for budget-friendly options. Hostels can be found worldwide if you know where to look. Do your research and check the reviews, and you’ll be planning your trip in no time!
#2: Book Your Trip Early
Many airlines have excellent prices if you book at least six months ahead of time, and if you’re willing to take the chance and do standby, you’ll find very cheap airfare when seats are left open by chance.
#3: Book Your Hotel and Flight Together
There are numerous travel sites online that offer great deals when you book both your hotel and flight at the same time. This works well for those pricier destinations, and package deals come with many choices and flexibility.
#4: Eat at Local Vendors
Street food is delicious and one of the best ways to enjoy the local cuisine. By eating at food vendors, your meals will be reasonably priced, and you’ll be able to try all the best foods on offer. For breakfast, ask locals where they eat! You’ll find the most extraordinary places and avoid tourist prices.
#5: Go During the Offseason
If you’re looking for a great beach vacation, avoid those summer months and holidays. Aim for a week in fall or spring, and you’ll find the cost has dropped dramatically. One thing to keep in mind, many stores and tourist attractions are closed during this time.
#6: Do a Culture Swap
This is one of the neatest ways to travel. Connect with a family overseas and spend a week with them, then invite them for a week at your place! You’ll make lifelong friends and get true immersion into the culture.
#7: Travel By Boat or Train
This adds time to your trip, but it can be much less expensive when traveling between European and Asian countries if you use their rail systems. Similarly, traveling by boat is a way to save money and see more of the world!
#8: Take a Friend…Or Three
Traveling with a friend can cut your costs in half if you split hotel fare and any tips for your excursions. Many destinations also offer package deals for groups on excursions. Chartering a boat for deep-sea fishing can be pricey, but when you pool your resources, your cost will decrease!
#9: Travel By Car
If you don’t mind driving long distances, traveling by car is a great way to maximize your experience. You can stop anywhere you’d like along the way, and road trips are a lot of fun! Bonus points if you own a van, truck, or even a tent, like camping and using your vehicle at night reduces costs astronomically.
Now that you have ideas on how to travel on a budget, join a few social media traveling groups. They’ll know all the best places to go and what you’ll need once you get there!