A famous quote among travel enthusiasts is, “If traveling was free, you’d never see me again!”
Though it can’t be free, you can backpack more frequently by following these travel tips to save money.
People who love to explore new places often worry about the expenses they will have to bear. We would like to bust all the myths and tell all our fellow travelers that traveling does not always mean breaking your bank accounts.
You do not have to be rich to undertake an excursion. You can visit the best parts of the world without spending a fortune; let us tell you how.
Though random trips are generally the most memorable, a planned trip can save you from the unnecessary and unexpected expenditures of flights, hotels, and food.
Whether planning for a domestic or international vacation, the following tips will help you save some bucks!
1. Travel out of Season and Pack Well
Before planning your vacation, choose a cheaper destination and an off-season time to travel.
Avoid traveling during school holidays and festivals like Christmas and New Year to grab the best flight and accommodation deals.
Also, remember to pack everything you need, so you do not spend extra money buying the basics in a foreign country. But do not pack excess either, as you may have to pay the additional baggage charges at the airport.
Related: How To Prepare 5 Day Vacation Packing List Quickly
2. Book the Cheapest Flights
To save the most on your transportation, use ticket comparison websites like Skyscanner and book your return flight tickets at least 2-3 months in advance.
Always look for economy class tickets on a budget airline and plan for a weekday travel. Tickets on weekdays are much cheaper than those on the weekends.
If yours is a short trip, book a hand luggage-only access and save about up to 20% of your ticket cost. You may opt not to fly directly but hop on to a nearby airport to save more money on flights.
Related: Airplane Travel Tips That You Can Follow Quickly
3. Look for Pocket-Friendly Accommodations
With websites like Airbnb and Couchsurfing, you can easily occupy a spare room in a resident’s apartment and refrain from spending on overpriced hotels.
You may also book dorms in the hostels or sleep in your tents. If you have a friend or a family member in the country, don’t hesitate to ask them if you could stay with them for a few days.
Always use the incognito window to pay for your final bookings, as websites generally show higher prices on repetitive searches, and this is the best way to spend only what’s fair.
4. Budgeting and No-Fee Cards
Budgeting is a tedious task, but it is essential to track your daily expenses. This makes it easy to plan the next day of your itinerary or enjoy an extra drink if the expenditure is well within the budget.
Many banks offer a rewards program, and you must use it well. Ensure you carry only international no-fee credit and debit cards so you do not have to pay transaction or ATM access fees.
Never exchange your currency at the airports; they offer one of the cheapest rates.
5. Ditch the Taxi and Eat Local Food
Once at your destination, pledge not to use taxis, as they are the most expensive mode of local travel. Instead, opt for public modes like buses and trains for local transit.
You can also save heavily by eating like a local, relishing the street food, shopping from supermarkets, and cooking yourself, thus avoiding paying heavy bills at expensive cafés and restaurants.
6. Earn While You Travel
Working vacations are the best way to continue earning money while holidaying. If your regular job does not allow you to travel, you may make money by teaching skiing in winter or scuba diving at beach destinations.
You may also look for online freelance work and continue earning money while traveling. How about starting your travel blog where you share your experiences and monetize them with advertisements and affiliate marketing?
7. Travel Insurance
Last but not least, do not forget to insure your trip by buying travel insurance. You would always want that nothing goes wrong on your trip, but if at all it does, you do not spend an extra penny, and the travel insurance keeps you safe and secure.
It safeguards you from unforeseen circumstances like canceled flights, being robbed, or falling sick in an unknown territory.
Follow These Travel Tips To Save Money
The golden rule of travel is to always ask for a discount because if you never ask, the answer will always be no. Ask for the best prices and available deals, and feel free to ask for upgrades in flights and hotels if it doesn’t cost you any money.
These are just a few ways to plan a budget vacation. If you have more travel tips to save money or your own experiences to share, do let us know in the comments below. I would love to know them.
Happy Travelling!
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