Traveling should be one of the best experiences of your life. It should make you feel relaxed and free from hectic routines and the same old tensions of your daily life. Getaways have become important as our lives have become more difficult. Everyone is in a race to earn, study, and become something. Well, we should not forget that our mind and body also need some relaxation. Do you think there could be something better than traveling? Well, not at all! But you should also be sure of your budget. Traveling is not cheap at all, but you can save a lot of money if you know the right tips.
Travel on a budget with our simple 7 tips
1. Travel Out of Season
Everyone goes to travel especially during the holidays. This leads to mass tourism, and you won’t be able to get cheap prices in such a time. At holidays, the prices double due to the large crowds, and you don’t want to be stuck with that. So, make sure that you research the place you are going to and check when there are fewer travelers. You can find everything online, even the prices people are paying for that season. It may be colder or rainy, but low prices can help you save a lot of money.
2. Better Plan Than Sorry
Traveling to a new destination is a perfect idea, but it is better to be sure about the time and the money you want to spend, especially when traveling on a budget. Make a list of the needed arrangements and make sure that you are not leaving anything out of your list, as last-minute arrangements can be more pricey. You should book your flight and hotel ahead of time because you never want to be stuck with last-minute prices. Last-minute deals used to be attractive, but nowadays they sometimes slaughter those who are late to book.
3. Be accommodation savvy
Instead of booking yourself expensive hotel rooms and suites you can try dorm rooms in hostels, especially if you are traveling alone and want to socialize. If you are not used to dorm type accommodations (like us, honestly), or if you’re going for longer stays, one of the best tips we came across is contacting the Airbnb or hotel and just asking for a better deal. If that doesn’t work, you can always book for one or two days and discuss the pricing outside of the platforms, it can be very worthwhile! The most “local” way to do it though, if you have the time to search, is to look at local Facebook groups or even to go around the streets and look for “for rent” signs. Those deals are usually harder to find but can save you a bunch!
4. Be smart when booking flights
Book your flights as far in advance as possible. Book a round trip, if possible. If you are flexible, then check the monthly view on sites like Skyscanner to see which dates are the cheapest. Don’t pick too many times on these websites, as they manipulate prices. If you are confident, just book on your first search and get it over with. Incognito browsers and clearing your cache used to be smart tips for avoiding price manipulation, but are not really working anymore, as far as we know. Flexible tickets, if those are not too expensive, can save you a lot of money in case unexpected things happen and you need to change your dates.
5. Pack your essentials
Make sure that you have all the necessary items packed that you might need during your trip, whether it is your headphones, medications, or some toiletries. There should be no need to shop for your essentials in a new country. The charges could be more and it will upset the budget of your travel. Make sure to pack a hoodie, jeans, and a waterproof jacket as you never know about the weather. Be ready all the time and save your money. Also keep in mind, don’t over pack, as paying for overweight luggage on flights is getting more expensive day by day.
6. Choose public transport
Taking a taxi or renting a car seem like attractive options, but you will be amazed to see the overall expense they create during your trip. The best option is to choose public transport. If you are traveling to a new city, you can choose an overnight train or bus so you can save money by paying one night less to a hostel, hotel, or any Airbnb you might be staying at.
7. Don’t spend too much on food
Instead of dining at high-end restaurants and cafes, you can buy your food from supermarkets. You should check out the prices before you dine in, as most of the restaurants have their menu online. Do not overspend your budget, even though you might want to try an expensive wine. In general, ordering drinks can increase the bill by a decent margin. The amount in total will be more than you expected for food and drinks. If you have a kitchen in your accommodation, cook something for yourself and save money.
