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8 TIPS FOR HOW TO TRAVEL ON A SMALL BUDGET
Traveling on a trip doesn’t have to be so expensive, in this article, we share eight tips for how to go on a small budget. You can travel to as many exotic places as you want, provided you know how to plan your finances so that you don’t get stranded along the way.
1. Have a good plan
The first tip on how to travel on a small budget is to ensure that you have a plan. Only people who have all the time and money in the world can just decide to take random trips. But since you are traveling on a small budget, the first and most important thing to do is to have a plan. The plan doesn’t have to be complicated; you just need to know how long you will be staying in the countries or cities you visit. You should also have a good idea of the location and route to take to these places.
When you have a plan, you will be saving yourself the stress of unplanned spending on transportation and accommodation. Anything did last-minute usually involves more pressure and more expenditure.
2. Travel out of travel seasons
Another great tip on how to travel on a small budget is to avoid going during travel seasons. During the school holidays and public holidays is when the travel industry increases prices to take advantage of people who can only travel during these periods. Research on the best time to visit your intended destination, and then take the trip just before or after these dates.
You will have a lovely trip even if it wouldn’t feel like a holiday season, but on the upside, hotels and airlines reduce their prices to attract customers during this time, so you can still make the most out of your special trip on a small budget.
3. Pick specific accommodation
An excellent way to save money on accommodation is to avoid expensive hotel suites for dorm rooms in hostels. Sharing a room naturally splits the costs, and communal bunk rooms allow you to meet people who might be interested in exploring with you. Another option ks to simply use websites like AirBnB and Couchsurfing to book a spare room in a local person’s house or apartment.
It will cut down the price, and you will have a legit snapshot of real life in the city. Consider your host as your very own personal tour guide, filled with insider tips for the best eateries and tourist spots in that neighborhood.
Ultimately if you have family and friends in the city you wish to visit, you could just stay with them. Reach out to people you know early enough to give them time to prepare for your coming; you do not want to be a burden to anyone, so always make sure if you are staying with people you know you inform them before making the trip.
4. Pack properly
An excellent way to travel on a small budget is to carry everything you need so that you don’t have to go shopping while you’re visiting your new location (this does not include a few souvenirs). No matter where you’re going to, take at least a pair of long jeans, a warm hoodie and waterproof jacket, and an umbrella in case of unexpected weather conditions. For some in-depth advice, check out our related post on how to pack for a trip.
5. Explore cheaper travel options
If you are flying, try as much as possible to book early. Airlines’ release’ their flight seats a year in advance, and the closer you get to your departure date, the more the prices go up, most notably in the last month.
In addition to that, please ensure that you book return flights as well, you do not want to be stuck in another country or city without being able to go back home in case anything happens. At least having a return ticket guarantees you will go back home even if you run out of money. If you check for flight tickets and they are too expensive, you can choose to take a by or train depending on where you are going to, but still, book early and book return tickets.
6. Travel at odd times
You can also opt to travel on a particular day during the week. Midweek travel prices are lower as a premium is added to weekend transportation, and the best part is that you will go through fewer queues and hassle checking in.
Avoid flying business class if you are trying to save money; the economy is always best. The money you save on cheap seats can be spent on feeding or accommodation when you arrive at your destination. Airlines that cost less are good for short flights and usually have cheap deals. If it is a weekend trip you are planning, pack light so that you can use only hand luggage, you will save yourself a bit of money on hold luggage.
7. Do not spend all your money on food
Avoid expensive restaurants to prevent overspending on food. Food most times is what consumes the most amount of money for a lot of people. You don’t have to eat at every restaurant you see, opt for fast food or fresh foods from the market.
Try to walk around before picking a place to eat dinner, too; if you just choose the first restaurant, you see you will not know if you’re overspending. Alternatively, hostels and spare rooms may give you access to a kitchen. An excellent way to save some money is by cooking for yourself.
8. Work and Travel
A brilliant way to afford to spend several months of the year (or more) living the travel dream is to get a part-time job to do. Thankfully there are numerous job options for travelers and tourists. The goal is not necessarily to make a fortune while you are there, but that isn’t a bad idea, too; ensure you are making enough to survive throughout your stay in a foreign land. You could even try freelance while traveling if you’re able to work “on the go.” The opportunities are just too numerous to mention. Do leave a comment if this post was helpful.
Related Post: How to: packing for a trip
