Experts often state that money spent on traveling is a better way to go than spending money on things – instead of buying the latest tablet, using the money for a mini-getaway one state over, for example. While some people agree with this and others do not, the value of a truly great travel experience cannot often be discounted.
That said, many people consider traveling a
budget-breaker, and something that only those with excess cash in the bank
account can do. However, there are hundreds of little tips, tricks, and secrets
that anyone can implement into their travel plans to save big money without
sacrificing the “fun factor” of any trip. Following are some of the best tips
on how to travel on a budget:
- Pick a
destination where the dollar is strong. Different countries, and even
different locations within a country, will value your money more or less
than others. When you travel through a place that has a high value for the
dollar, you’ll be able to really stretch your funds and even extend your
trip by quite a bit.
- If you’re
just planning on traveling within a city, consider taking the bus. Public
transportation is almost always the cheapest way to get around a city,
aside from walking. That said, don’t hesitate to negotiate deals if you’ll
be traveling by air to other cities – you can always ask for cheaper fares
and rates, and the worst they can say is “no”!
- Keep in
mind that most hotels have complementary toiletries – razors, shampoos,
soaps, and the like. Ask ahead of time to find out if these items are
available free of charge and if they are, don’t waste money purchasing
full-size versions of them.
- Instead
of going overboard buying souvenirs, look for post cards instead. You can
also plan on taking more of your own photographs; you’ll save money and
save room in your bags. After all, what better items can you think of to
hold memories than photographs?
- Do things
as a group when it’s possible. So many locations, destinations, and
attractions offer discounted group rates for things, so whether you’re
carpooling or going on a tour, you’ll find better deals when you’re able
to use group rates.
- Hotels in
downtown areas and those “closest to the action” are always going to be
more expensive than outlying area hotels. Do some math ahead of time and
see if you’d save money by choosing a hotel farther away from downtown and
taking public transportation to get to where the action is.
- Speaking
of hotels, why not opt for a bed & breakfast instead? A B&B offers
more cultural intimacy and a much cheaper rate than hotels much of the
time. You can also look for rooms in a house to “rent out” for your stay,
too. Another great option, especially if you’re traveling in Europe, would
be to stay at one of the continent’s 2,000 hostels. Couchsurfing.com is a
website that can help you find local families to stay with, often for
free!
- Eat foods that are in-season, and if you’re not sure what that might be at the time, don’t hesitate to ask. Depending on where you are, you’ll have a variety of foods that are in-season, fresh, and from farm-to-table. Choosing items that are out-of-season will cost you more.
- If you’ve
got a choice on when to travel, choose to do so during the low-peak
season. Usually, you’ll want to avoid traveling during the summer and
around the holidays; prices tend to be much steeper during the busy times
for places, and you can save quite a lot by traveling during the
off-seasons. You’ll also have a better chance of avoiding large crowds
during your trip.
- Be sure to check out budget travel websites and tour company sites to find all the best money-saving deals across the globe. Some popular ones include Hostelworld, Jetsetter, Couchsurfing, Intrepid Travel, WWOOF, and Gate 1 Travel.
