Exploring exotic places does not necessarily cost a lot of money. If you know how to plan carefully, you certainly don’t need to win the lottery to travel the world or study abroad. We have compiled some tried and tested tips to help you plan a holiday on a budget.
Make a plan
If you have extra time and money, traveling spontaneously is great. But if you want to save money on travel, the first thing to do is to make a plan. You don’t need a compact, hourly schedule, but you should at least know how long you will spend in each city or country, and know the route you will take on your epic adventure. Less luck means less unexpected expenses; last-minute air tickets and accommodation are usually much more expensive.
Off-season travel
Avoid traveling during school holidays, as the travel industry raises prices to take advantage of families who can only travel during these few weeks. Research the best time to go to a predetermined destination, and then travel before or after these dates. This is the so-called "shoulder season". In this season, you can still enjoy a pleasant trip, but the sun may not be so bright (on the bright side, the weather will not be so hot.) Hotels and airlines are here. Reduce prices for a while to attract customers.
Be accommodation-savvy
Replace expensive hotel suites with hostel rooms. Sharing a room will naturally share the cost, while a shared double-story room provides an opportunity to meet people who might be keen to explore with you. Other good options are sites like AirBnB and Couchsurfing, where you only need to book a room in a local’s house or apartment. The price is halved, so you can really understand the real life of this city. Think of your host as your own personal guide, who knows the best local restaurants and tourist attractions.
You can even stay with family or friends. Contact people you know, or plan a trip to the places where your long-lost cousins or alumni now live-this may take you to places you never thought of before.
Packed correctly
Make sure you bring everything you need so you don't have to go shopping when you are away (except for some souvenirs). No matter where you are going, at least bring a pair of long jeans, a warm hoodie and a waterproof jacket to deal with the unpredictable weather.
Book tickets in advance
Especially the return flight; after spending all the money abroad, there is no guarantee of a return ticket, which is by no means ideal. Airlines will "announce" their flight seats one year in advance, and the closer to the departure date, the greater the price increase, especially in the last month.
Choose your flying method wisely
Choose to travel on Tuesday. The price for midweek travel will be lower because weekend flights will increase fares and you can easily pass shorter queues during check-in and security at the airport. Also fly economy class-no matter how beautiful business class looks, there is no need to upgrade. The money you save on cheap seats can be spent on food or accommodation when you arrive. Low-cost budget airlines are suitable for short-haul flights and often have cheap discounts. If you are planning a weekend trip, try to pack light and use only hand luggage, so you can save yourself a check in baggage fees.
Accept public transportation
Buses and trains are cheaper than planes. It's as simple as that! Traveling on the overnight train also means you will spend one night less in the hotel.
Don’t eat away your cash
Cheap lunches can be bought in a supermarket or even a local fresh food market, rather than in an overpriced cafe or restaurant. Aim to wander around before choosing a place to eat dinner too; if you just pick the first restaurant you see you won’t know if you’re overspending. Drinking beer with every dinner soon adds up – both your wallet and your waistline will thank you if you opt for water instead sometimes. Alternatively, hostels and spare rooms often let you have access to a kitchen if you want to save a little money by cooking for yourself.
Make money while traveling
Working holidays are an excellent way to spend a year and months (or more) to realize your dreams of travel: teaching skiing in winter, caring for people on vacation to the Mediterranean in summer, or teaching a language in Thailand Come to make money; if you can work on a busy schedule, you can even be a freelancer while traveling. The opportunities are endless.
Shop best travel backpack
