By sagnika sinha
I like luxury! Who doesn’t but there is one problem when it comes to luxury travel. You cannot experience the best of a place, instead it is more of a relaxing trip. I have even observed that budget travel specifically works only when you travel solo or with friends.
This can never work out effectively with your family. With family, you must consider comfort and adaptability when accommodation and transportation. When it comes to your mother or your uncle, you cannot make them go through the local markets for hours.
Why Budget Travels are the Best?
Before I share with you your personal experiences of traveling on a budget! And that too in December, let us talk about why I find budget travel is the best. These are the key reasons why budget travel is significantly important. Let me tell you, during December, the prices of flights and accommodation are higher. Do you know why? December is known for its holidays so many people travel, either coming back home for the holidays or vacationing with your loved ones.
Henceforth, if you consider these aspects, you need to plan and book tickets earlier. This will help you keep things under budget!
Longer travels
If you save money on transportation and accommodation, you can have a longer period of travel. You can easily increase the number of days in your vacation plan! I decided very early on about having a smaller budget when I was traveling solo.
With longer journeys, your experience is more local and immersive. Additionally, you experience diverse cultures across the world if your budget is lower and you come closer to the local culture.
Activities over luxury
Starting from eating in the local market to using local transportation! Instead of traveling in a cab, it will give you a more intimate and authentic view of the lifestyle of the place. You can start shopping in the local market by negotiating or haggling instead of spending a bomb on objects!
Spontaneity and flexibility
With a smaller budget, you must be more flexible with dates, bookings, and going somewhere. I have seen that with a lower budget, I have experienced unexpected adventures.
Just a sudden update or discussion about visiting a place or going for a trail walk, with a lower budget, I am up and running without even thinking.
Detailed local experience
The activities which are free or charge lower prices are easily done! This is where you get the detailed local experience. For example, I went on a trail walking in Shimla and met a group of friends who were hanging on the mall road.
I was sitting alone on the stairs, and some of them called me over. It was quite friendly, and they shared their stories with me. They even told me the best and undiscovered places in Shimla that I must visit to experience the true essence.
Personal growth
I feel that growth is an integral part of the process of traveling! So, if it is budget travel, you will develop a lot of learning concerning accommodation, transportation, travel packages, and how to make bookings.
A sense of adaptability and accomplishment comes when you travel with a tight budget along with navigating a new environment positively.
Places to Visit under a Budget!
So, if you want to experience an immersed experience in budget budget-friendly place, let me share with you the best places to travel in December on a budget. I assure you, if you want an authentic experience, go to these places on a budget.
Thailand
I traveled to Thailand in December a few years back during Christmas! I spent my 25th December in Bangkok and the sky was lit! It was one of the best experiences of my life, especially with the camaraderie happening among complete strangers.
Yes, you need to be aware of how to be safe, especially when in a crowd with strangers. But everyone rides the high that comes from Christmas!
Places to visit in December
Let me share some of the coolest places in Thailand that you must visit in December. You can budget your travel when visiting these places so let’s discuss!
Bangkok
The culture is very vibrant, especially the nightlife. Shopping is also an important activity that you must not miss out on, especially if you are saving money when you budget the trip.
You can also visit the popular attractions which are Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew, and Grand Palace.
Pattaya
If you are someone who loves parties, you can explore the streets of Pattaya! If you are on a solo trip or with friends, you can visit bars that are quite cheap along with loud music. There are also strip clubs but at times, it can sometimes be unsafe!
Budgeting
If you are planning to stay with a low budget in December, you need to book ahead. Considering Thailand is one of the best places to travel in December on a budget, let me share with you some of the best places to stay while on vacation.
- Matchbox Bangkok Hostel – Rs. 480/-
- RedDoorz Podstel Hostel – Rs. 577/-
- Na mong Homestay – Rs. 1091/-
Goa
When you are planning to budget travel to Goa in December, you must book quite early. You must consider the
Places to visit in December
You must visit the following beaches, Calangute and Baga beaches! This offers you some of the best party places along with good food and company.
If you are an adventure travel person, you must also visit Dudhsagar Falls! It is one of the best places in Goa giving you an integral experience of travel.
Budgeting
When booking for accommodation, you can book the following hostels, retreats, and guesthouses. They will not only provide a beautiful view of the ocean but also will be much cheaper.
- William’s Beach Retreat – Rs. 848/-
- Hotel Z Square – Rs. 445/-
- 12 Monks Goa – Rs. 616/-
Phuket
This is more of a friendly zone when it comes to traveling so you might end up spending a lot more than you planned. You can visit some ancient temples and palm beaches, watching beautiful nature right in front of your eyes.
Places to visit in December
- San Chao Jui Tui
- Phuket Thai Hua Museum
- Phuket Indy Night Market
- Pa Tong
Budgeting
You can choose the hostels, guesthouses, and Airbnb which will keep a low budget while traveling to Phuket. Another important thing to remember is if you can rent your own scooty or bike, it will be much cheaper to travel around.
- Neighbors Hostel – Rs. 1500/-
- Capzule Bed Phuket – Rs. 1500/-
- D’s Corner & Guesthouse – Rs. 918/-
Shimla
I traveled to Shimla in December, and it was complete heaven. There was snow all around, in the forest, especially if your homestay is situated around the forest. I watched sunsets from a scandal point.
Furthermore, there are also options for skiing and snowboarding. You can visit the Ridge along with the Kalka Shimla railways, as these are some of the coolest places!
Places to visit in December
- Shree Hanuman Temple, Jakhu
- Christ Church
- Kali Bari Temple
Budgeting
Please choose homestays and hostels if you want to visit Shimla during December that too under budget. Let me share with you some of the coolest places that give you amazing views along with saving budget.
- Hotel Hilltop Courtyard – Rs. 797/-
- Shimla Nature Ville – Rs. 1079/-
- Kudrat Homestay – Rs. 671/-
How to Plan Low-Budget?
If you are planning to travel with a low budget, you must prioritize homestays over resorts, travel during the off-season, eat food at local joints and markets, buy objects by negotiations, and perform activities that are either free or lower prices.
This helps you to save money which you can use to perform activities that you want to do but are pricy! Let us go through key strategies that you can use for low budget:
- I have already mentioned some of the best places to travel in December on a budget.
- Choose locations that are not that popular, so you get unique experiences along with some space.
- Flexibility with dates is one of the most important aspects of budget travel during December.
- Please choose homestays, guesthouses, and hostels, as they will give you some of the best economical stays.
- Use public transport such as local ferries, subways, trains, and buses, rent bikes or scooty, or go for shared resources if you are with friends and families.
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