A common misconception about travelling is that it’s a luxury that requires tons of money. However, for budget-savvy people, anyone with the time, opportunity, and resources can travel any time and anywhere. Travelling doesn’t have to break the bank. To help you save money on your next trip, consider these handy tips:
Book your flights in advance
It’s not a secret that you should book in advance in order to score cheaper flights. The best time to book a flight is at least seven weeks before your travel date. It has been reported that passengers get to pay 10% less than the average fare when booking several weeks in advance.
A study by FareCompare also revealed that the best days to get cheap flights are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Plus, flying out early in the morning is cheaper than during noons and afternoons.
Stay in Airbnb accommodations
Hotels can be way too expensive, especially during holidays and peak seasons. On the other hand, hostels can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not comfortable with sharing a space with plenty of strangers. The cheap solution? Airbnb.
Airbnb is a lot more affordable than hotels, with more amenities and space. You’ll be able to cook your own food, which can additionally help you save more money. You can also negotiate the prices with the owner.
Don’t blow your cash on food
Food tripping is a great way to immerse yourself in a different culture, but you don’t have to do this in fancy hotels and restaurants. Don’t spend all your money on food. There are plenty of inexpensive options in food carts, markets, and small restaurants. You can also shop for ingredients in supermarkets and cook your own food in your accommodation.
One tip to make the most out of your food trip is to taste food that you normally wouldn’t find in your home country. Ditch the burgers, sandwiches, and fried chicken for now and try out those that you’re not familiar with. You just might find your new favourite.
Public transportation is the way to go
Instead of paying for car rental, gas, insurance, and parking and toll fees, you have a cheaper option of getting around places—public transportation. This is especially useful if you’re travelling to cities. All you need to do is to learn the routes and pricing systems and you’re good to go.
Buses, underground trains, and light rail train systems also offer a different experience compared to private vehicles. You can also opt to rent a scooter if you know how to ride one. This is a popular option for small towns and beach destinations.
Visit admission-free destinations
There are so many hidden gems around cities that offer free admission. When planning your trip, research ahead which places you can visit for free. Some of the most common ones are museums, parks, public beaches, botanical gardens, and cultural centres.
Check some museums to see if they offer free hours or days, then follow a guided tour to get the most out of your experience. Parks around the city are free for everyone, while state parks often charge a minimal admission price.
Avail package deals for group tours
One of the best ways to save money when travelling is to go with a group. You can split the costs of accommodation, transportation, food, and tours. Plus, island and city tours usually offer a bigger discount for groups of people.
Want to save even more? Go for walking tours with your friends. Aside from being a nice workout for your legs, it’s also cheaper than bus tours (some are even free). Plus, it’s the best way to see the city since you can walk to places that cars can’t reach.
Pack smart
The money that you will pay for extra luggage is better used for something else. Make sure to pack light so you won’t incur excess charges at the airport’s checkout counter. Bring versatile clothes that you can pair with several other items in your suitcase. Also, leave some space in your suitcase in case you want to do some shopping.
If you’re planning to travel a lot, it’s best to invest in high-quality travel luggage. You can score discounted luggage during travel expos and trade shows, like the partner merchants of https://www.aplusexpo.com/.
Get your shots and vaccines
It’s not actually a budget travel tip, but getting up-to-date shots before you go on a trip can be life-saving. You’ll be able to save hundreds to thousands of dollars that would otherwise go to hospital bills if you get sick while travelling. This is especially crucial if you’re visiting developing countries.
To know what type of travel vaccinations you should be getting, consult a physician first. They can give you a proper list of vaccines that are best suited for the area that you’ll be visiting.
Ditch the souvenirs
Keychains, fridge magnets, mugs, caps, and shirts plastered with the city name—who needs all of these? When travelling, skip the souvenirs and you’ll be able to save a ton of money and luggage space. If you really want to buy something, pick only one souvenir.
Instead of buying souvenirs that you probably won’t be using, take lots of photos instead. They don’t take up physical space and you can capture as many as you want. Some travellers also opt to film their experience by vlogging. It’s a better way to preserve memories and serves as an online journal too.
Conclusion
Travelling is a fun and exciting way to see more of the world. It doesn’t have to be expensive and luxurious. You can travel on a budget and still have an incredible time. You only need to plan ahead and follow the tips mentioned above.
