`Traveling and experiencing the world is something we all deserve, and being on a tighter budget doesn’t mean you can’t ever have the opportunity!
Travel on a budget can be tricky, but it’s definitely possible. With the right planning, tools, and tricks up your sleeve, you can still plan a wonderful trip that you’ll remember for the rest of your life – even with limited funds.
If your wallet is what’s holding you back, follow these simple steps to plan a memorable travel experience without breaking the bank.
Set a Realistic Budget
So, you want to travel, but you don’t want to end up in debt for it. The first thing you need to do is set yourself a budget. Pick an overall number that you’re willing and able to part with or save up to achieve over the next couple of months.
Then, use that number to allocate various travel expenses in the most sensible way you can think of. Don’t forget to include each and every expense you might incur for a trip – factor in things like Amex travel insurance, activities you’ll want to do, public transport access, and even souvenirs.
Travel Off-Peak
Many people don’t realize that flights, accommodation, and even activities and attractions charge a much higher rate in high-season travel periods (like during the summer holidays).
If you’re not restricted to traveling during those peak times, you can save a lot of cash by opting to travel in the low seasons.
This means if you’re traveling solo or without children, and if your job will allow you to take PTO at any time of year, you can plan your travel while the rest of the world is working!
Choose Affordable Destinations
You might also be holding yourself back by considering only expensive travel destinations. Some countries and cities are simply more expensive – both to live in and to vacation in!
Picking a destination that’s more affordable to visit could boost the chances that you can fit a trip into your budget. There are a lot of factors to consider here – travel distance, the local currency and exchange rate, and the general cost of living in that particular destination. Consider looking into some popular travel dupes for cities that excite you – these are often more affordable and less packed with tourists, too.
Save on Flights and Transport
If you’re smart, you’ll never pay full price for an airline ticket. Flight benefits are one of the most common perks associated with various credit card companies and make all the banking fees worth it!
You can also use a flight aggregator to find the cheapest flight tickets for your travel dates and easily compare them. By choosing less appealing days and times, you’re also more likely to get lower prices. As a bonus, flights at these times are usually less busy, which means you’ll avoid an overly crowded airport and likely have a quiet and peaceful flight.
Skip the Luxury Accommodation
Some people go on holiday to relax and lounge around in a nice resort with a pool and a comfy bed. If this sounds like you, then your accommodation should make up the bulk of your travel costs – and you should enjoy every moment of that!
However, if you’re more of an adventurous type and looking to explore while on vacation, then you can treat your accommodation as a necessary evil. Opt for more affordable places to stay, like backpacker’s hostels, rented rooms, or small and simple Airbnbs. By saving in your sleeping, you can enjoy your money elsewhere.
Plan Your Meals Wisely
Food is one of those expenses that can easily get out of hand, especially when we’re traveling. Eating out is always expensive, and it’s normal to fall victim to the allure of foreign dishes and treats you’ve never tried before.
However, you can manage your eating costs by simply planning ahead. If you opt for a self-catering type of accommodation, you’ll be able to avoid eating out for every meal and enjoy the act of cooking dishes with ingredients from a local grocery store instead. You can also plan by selecting one or two nicer restaurants you want to visit and then opting for more affordable options the rest of the time.
Be Selective with Activities
Finally, make a long list of the activities and attractions you’re interested in for your trip. Unfortunately, many of these will cost money! The good news is that there will be plenty of free options, too.
Set a budget for your activities and select the ones you’re most interested in and willing to pay for. Make sure you know how much they cost and plan them. Then, you can fill up the rest of your itinerary with free or very cheap things to do!
