By Subhasree Nag
Searching for options of how to travel cheap? There are some things you need to know first. You need to scan a budget-friendly destination, to begin with. Moreover, be prompt when booking early flights and accommodation.
There’s more. You need to consider traveling during the off-season. Some airlines allow budget ticket booking if you get your tickets done 2 to 3 months before! If you are watching it, you might also gather some good travel passes.
Done with these arrangements? Now, it’s time to think about how to save funds on the go. Firstly, you have to cook your meals. Moreover, you must be flexible with dates and itineraries.
By getting the right deals, you can save 50 to 60% on your travel costs!!
Transportation Savings
Your one-stop way for transportation savings is finding cheap flights. A good option for the same is scanning the Skyscanner search engine. Firstly, loads of budget airline options are available there. Here’s a big catch.
Many major search engines do not show the flights listed here. When traveling to a new region or an offbeat spot, such budget airlines are the key to saving big!
Secondly, there is an everywhere option on their app. Here, you can make last-minute bookings of the cheap flight options.
Accommodation Hacks
Accommodation can drain all your travel funds. So, be skeptical while choosing where you want to stay. I suggest staying in hostels if you plan to save on the go.
In Europe, you will get a hostel anywhere for $20 per night. The same might shoot up to $34 if you are visiting Italy. However, Latin America and Southeast Asia are way cheaper. Here, hostels charge you $10 for one night, on average.
I know two great sites where you can check and book hostels. These are Booking.com and HostelWorld.
Backpackers can also consider options like couch space or house sitting. When you are couch surfing, you are staying with someone for free. Maybe share chores and contribute to the home groceries and stuff!
In between overseas adventure travel, such options can help you to save and often earn big too.
However, house sitting has become very popular in Europe in recent days. It is as simple as staying in someone’s home to take care of the property on their behalf. You get free accommodation, and they get an onlooker! It’s a win-win. However, one downside is that these options are not always readily available.
Eating on a Budget
Your eating budget can also fool you while you are on a streak of traveling cheaply. There are millions of suggestions on how to travel cheaply on the Internet. But fundamental skills of saving on food are rarely shared.
That’s why I’m here for you guys!
You can save money on your food in two ways. Firstly, skip your coffee. Secondly, eat at home-cooked meals when you are touring. Skip eating out or do that less.
Activities and Entertainment
Saving big on entertainment and activities is a real deal, especially when touring places with many attractions. So, how can you minimize your budget for activities and entertainment? Certainly, you need to stop dreaming of hotels with private jacuzzi rooms to begin with. After that, you can try these tricks.
Firstly, create a reasonable budget. Set your priorities right. Maybe a free budget template would help you!
Secondly, you have to follow the 50/30/20 rule. It’s easy. Spend 50% of your income on your needs. Then 30% on your wants and 20% on your savings!
CHOOSE A BUDGET DESTINATION
How to travel cheap? Before anything, choose a budget destination. But how to select a destination where you can freely travel on a budget destination? You can choose a place with a weaker currency than the neighbors.
For example, the non-Euro zone countries for sure. You can also search for the cheapest places to travel right now in USA on the Internet. Or search for the cheapest Caribbean island to visit. Did you know the Caribbean islands are actually cheap and offer visual treats?
I can suggest South America and Southeast Asia for sure. Moreover, you can select destinations like Portugal or Spain, where tourists don’t flock in great numbers.
AVOID FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES
Are you up for a more extended travel? Consider applying for a travel rewards credit card before you leave home. But select the one that charges zero foreign transaction fees. I have used one for the last 5 years, and it helps!
You can also go for a Charles Schwab checking account. Capital Bank and Starling Bank also offer similar checking accounts. The best part- you get a zero foreign transaction fee debit card here.
SAVE UP SLOWLY IN ADVANCE
If you want to save up in advance, there are two options for you:
- You can skip the frequent added expenses like eating out or going to extravagant trails like adventure trails, clubbing, and parties.
- Secondly, you can save a lot by planning your budget right. Save early; why not start these practices when there’s still time?
- You can save $60 on coffee and around $150 monthly if you cut off eating out. Hence your savings over 6 months come to $1260.
Money-Saving Tips While Traveling
Money saving on the go is not at all tricky. Meanwhile, you need to remember some basic steps only. Start with planning and saving, as I mentioned. Secondly, prefer public transport wherever you go. Public buses can save you at least 40% more than private cabs.
After that, you have to create a budget. Hence, ensure that the whole trip is within that budget. Also, remember it is better to travel in groups. When there are more people to split the cost, the per-head cost naturally comes down.
Lastly, look out for discount options on the go. For instance, seek student or senior discounts. AAA discounts work as well.
Use Technology to Save
Put technology to save money when you are en- to travel. Firstly, choose online booking to find the best deals on flights and subtle discounts your tour guide may not have in stock for you.
In addition, you can put your internet connection to the test if you use it extensively. Use it to seek cheap hostels around you or search cheap bus routes to travel. You may also research cheap local options to stay and eat wherever you are.
Some travel guides and agents have chatbot support. But you need at least a smartphone or a laptop to access those. Those bots can answer your queries or help you plan a budget travel itinerary.
Sustainable Budget Travel
Any of the ideas shared above will help you. If you need more options, here are some for your help:
- Stay local
- Always use the public transport available
- Stay at eco-friendly destinations that charge less for not using appliances
- Prefer to travel during the shoulder season
- Don’t choose flying as an option for interim travel. Instead, trains and buses can help you save a lot!
- Bring reusable kits with you and save on buying one-time-use products
- Prefer visiting sustainable destinations
- Prefer going to areas where the currency is lower in value than your home country
What do You Think?
How to travel cheap? Well, there are plenty of options to try. Many enthusiasts cannot afford luxury travel but wish to see places. This guide is befitting for them.
Compile the best options for budget travel from here. Make a travel charter. But begin with saving with the 50:30:20 rule at least 6 months before you plan to take off. I’m all ears if you need more tips or wish to offer budget travel suggestions. Post your comments ASAP!!
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