Budget Travel | 9 Tips for Cheap Travel
Do you ever dream of traveling the world and exploring new places? Of course! However, while this may be a dream of yours, it probably seems impossible with how expensive travel can be. Not to worry, traveling does not have to break the bank! With the right planning and mindset, you can see the world without emptying your pockets! In this post I will share some of my favorite travel tips to save money on accommodation, food, and transport! These nine tips will help you make the most of your adventures and show you that cheap travel is totally possible!
1. Stay in hostels
Not only does staying in hostels save you tons of money on accommodation, but it is a great way to meet people! I stayed in hostels during my four month backpacking trip through South America and it was amazing! Hostels were a fraction of the price of hotels and I made so many friends along the way. Many of them will also include a breakfast of some sort and have different activities for everyone throughout the week!
2. Go to your destination in the ‘off’ season
Everything is cheaper in the off season. The excursions, restaurants, accommodations, everything! Also, things won’t be near as crowded either! The off season is normally because the weather isn’t as nice as other seasons. However, if you do your research, you will come across plenty of places where the off season is still decent weather, super cheap, and you will have an amazing time!
3. Eat at local places!
Not only is eating at local restaurants a great way to have a local experience, but they are almost always cheaper than the big chain or touristy restaurants. It is a great chance to save some money, while getting a feel for the local cuisine and getting an authentic experience. An extra bonus is that the staff are usually much friendlier in these places than the chain restaurants! Further, these local restaurants are known to serve big portions, often more than you can eat in a single sitting. You can participate in cheap travel by turning this into two or three meals!
4. Pack your own food / cook meals
Trust me, I understand that trying the food in a new place is one of the most exciting parts, it’s a great way to experience the culture. I am not suggesting that you should not eat out at all. However, if you are able to pack or cook at least one meal for every day of your trip, that will save you a huge amount of money.
If you really enjoy going out for lunch or dinner – then cook breakfast! Or, you can switch it up and cook different meals everyday, so you can try the local food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
5. Pick destinations with cheap / free activities
Picking the right destination will play a huge part in how much money you will end up spending. If the place is not a huge tourist destination it will be much cheaper than the other way around.
Personally, I always try to choose places that have lots of nature and outdoor activities to do. These activities are often cheaper or even free to do! Hiking is always a great thing to do – it’s free, great exercise, and you get to be out in the beautiful outdoors! However, if the outdoors are not so much your thing, there are tons of cheap and free activities to do in big cities. Check out local museums and parks, try the street food, or
6. Pack properly
Being on top of packing and making sure you have everything you need, will save you tons of money on your trip! Remember to bring all the small things like deodorant, your toothbrush, sunscreen, etc. This will not only save you precious travel time by not needing to make an extra trip to the store but also save you money because you don’t have to buy these items in the touristy shops where they are extremely overpriced!
7. Limit alcohol intake
I know you are all going to want to ignore this or think it’s crazy to even mention. Look, I’m not saying that you have to not drink the entire time. However, having a drink with your meals at restaurants really adds up! Alcohol is often the most expensive part of the check!
Instead of ordering it at restaurants, buy it at a grocery or liquor store and drink at other times. Limiting your alcohol (and other substance) intake is a great way to budget travel!
8. Use public transportation
Using public transportation is a great way for cheap travel. If you can take the metro it is usually only a few dollars at the most for a ride, much cheaper than Ubers or taxis. Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds! Most of the time you can type it into your phone and it will show you the exact metro or bus route you need to take! If this does not work, there are always maps at the stations and if you get confused, don’t hesitate to ask someone for help! People are usually very kind and happy to help.
9. Be flexible
Being flexible with your trip, in all ways, is one of the best ways to budget travel. This means being flexible with the timing of your trip, your destination, and the excursions you are wanting to do. This means that you can do more research to find out your budget travel as well have an exciting trip with things you’ve never done before!
Conclusion
Cheap travel is possible!! It is entirely possible to create long lasting memories, experience new cultures, connect with new people, and explore the world without spending a fortune. If you work hard to save money and apply these nine cheap traveling tips, you will completely enrich your own traveling experience! So, pack your bags, embrace spontaneity and embark on your new adventure without the stress of money holding you back! Safe travels!