6 Budget Travel Tips While On The Road
6 Essential Budget Travel Tips
Is money an excuse not to travel? Are there ways you can spend less money and travel more? Believe me; you must be spending too much money on travel expenses. There are strategies you can adopt and end up saving more money when traveling.
Even if you have too much money to spend, you do not necessary need to blow all your money on excessive travel expenses. I will show you 6 good ways you can spend less on travel without compromising having fun and traveling more.
#1: If you can, avoid alcohol
Yes, the whole idea of having a vacation is to have fun and give yourself a treat. For most people, this means buying plenty of alcohol daily. By the time your trip comes to an end, you will be shocked the amount of money remaining in your account.
I’m not saying drinking is bad when you are on vacation. What am saying is that if you have to drink, then you can limit yourself the number of nights you go out to buy alcohol. Alternatively, you can choose to buy your alcohol in supermarkets instead of bars because it is relatively cheaper.
#2: Avoid expensive Tourist Hotels
If you want to save money when traveling, avoid paying for expensive tourist hotels. Do not start your day when you are hungry and you should ask whether the hotels provide breakfast. Look for accommodation with kitchen facilities if you’re looking to save money by making your own meals instead of eating out.
Another way to save money on accommodation could be to look for a free place to stay during your trip. Do you have relatives, family or friends living near the places you will visit? If you have, then there is no need of spending money paying for accommodation in hotels. Look for someone you know and apart from enjoying the free accommodation; you will also get some tips on the best things you can do when you are there.
#3: Shopping
Traveling is fun and there is nothing wrong with treating yourself with some retail shopping when you are away. There are cost-effective ways you can use to ensure that you do not end up spending too much money. For instance, buy only special items that you want to bring home. You can as well take many pictures and come up with your own souvenir when you are back home.
Another way you can save money when shopping is to buy things on the streets instead of going to large department stores that sell items expensive.
You should also keep all the receipts since you can get a tax refund at the airport when going home.
#4: Find the lowest airfare
Different airline services offer different rates. You need to do your research well and find out cheaper airfare. Even if you spend more money on a flight, the experience is the same regardless of the money you paid or the airline you choose. Research and look for the best deal. This way you will end up saving more money.
Another thing that will help you save money is to avoid having too many carry-on bags because you will spend luggage fees. You can carry just enough clothes and do some laundry during your trip if there will be a need to. Remember, you are going on a vacation not a fashion show, right? So, carry only the important items that you need for the trip.
#5: Plan your trip offseason
We all know that during peak season, everything is fun. An amazing budget travel tips would be to plan your trip off-season, you can still have fun! When you travel during off-season, you will spend less on accommodation, food and much more.
Another advantage of traveling off-season is that there will be fewer tourists and this gives you the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn more about their culture.
You should also look for cheap destinations if you want to save money. There are many cheaper places all over the world where you can enjoy your vacation without spending more money. You can think of cheap destinations such as Southeast Asia, Milam, Paris just to mention a few. Such places give you the chance to experience different cultures and the price tag is pocket-friendly.
#6: Transportation
You will need to move from one place to the other during your trip. Transportation can end up taking too much money if you do not choose wisely. For instance, using taxis can be expensive as compared to using Uber.
One of the most important budget travel tips is to make good use of Google maps because it has a public transit option in most cities. You just need to key in where you want to go and you will get the exact lines and buses that you should take.In most cities, you will also find cheap bikes for hire and they can be a great option navigate through the city.
Other ways to save money when traveling:
• Carry a refillable water bottle
• Go for local wines
• You can eat out in the midday because it is cheaper as compared to dinner
• Learn tipping customs
• You can ask for discounts
• Research for free activities and museums
• You can check special deals and discounts before you go
Final Words
Planning your trip well will make it successful. If you are flexible enough and adopt the right attitude, then there is nothing that should prevent you from enjoying every second of your trip. The big mistake that many people make is spending too much money on travel expenses. After the end of your trip, you are left broke and stressed because you have kids in school, bills to pay and no money.
Traveling on a budget is good for you and your wallet too. With the above budget travel tips we have outlined, you can discover new places and have a luxurious experience without breaking your bank. Now, money should not limit you to be adventurous. Start planning your next trip and you will have fun.