Money is the number one thing that hinders most people from traveling. However, this shouldn’t be the case. Read on to find out how you can have an amazing travel experience without denting your pocket.
8 Tips to Help You Travel On a Budget
1. Maximize On Travel Rewards Programs
Look into travel reward programs if you are a frequent traveler.
Some travel reward credit cards come with $500 sign-up rewards that help you cover your traveling expenses. Every time you make a purchase, you’ll be rewarded with points that you can redeem for accommodation, flights, or car rentals.
2. Make A Budget
The first thing to do before you travel is to make a budget—this will help you manage your money.
Travel will become more affordable when you have a clearly outlined budget, and you won’t run the risk of overspending.
Be sure of the country you want to visit first to factor in the exchange rate costs in your budget.
Even while traveling, unforeseen circumstances such as car breakdowns occur. Therefore, make sure you include emergency funds in your budget. Inform your bank that you’ll be traveling so they don’t flag your purchases.
You should prepare well if you are traveling on a budget. If you are short of cash to cover your travel expenses, you can take out 100 dollar loans or more from Viva Payday Loans. This platform connects you with lenders willing to give you loans without no credit check.
3. Look For Budget-Friendly Flights
The highest cost you’ll incur in your travel is probably the flight tickets.
You’ll be able to stay within the budget if you’re flexible with your destination—have a few options. When you visit airline booking sites, turn on incognito or ensure you delete your cookies since airlines hike up flight prices when they notice you’ve been looking for flights.
4. Explore Alternative Accommodation
There are various free accommodation options if you’re on a budget. It’s possible to get free accommodation when you are traveling internationally. Some of the available options include:
House Sitting
House sitting involves looking after someone’s house and other belongings such as plants in exchange for housing.
Various apps can connect you with house owners looking for sitters in the country you plan to visit.
Couchsurfing
Download the Couchsurfing app, which will connect you with locals willing to take in guest travelers. The best thing about couch surfing is that you’ll interact with locals and get a real travel experience.
Outdoor Camping
Consider camping if you’ll be traveling to a country with a temperate climate.
You can search if the country you’re traveling to has free campsites. There are a few things you should keep in mind if you choose to go camping:
- Carry your flashlight, an air mattress, and a water filtration system.
- Research on local laws about trespassing, fires, and other campsite rules.
- Clean your campsite before leaving.
Airbnb
Airbnb is a great way to save some dollars and get an authentic experience. Besides being a budget-friendly option, your host will give you tips and information about places to tour and how to enjoy your stay—this will even save you more cash.
5. Get Paid To Travel
Take up a travel blogging job—this way, you invest your time and energy in something you love and get paid for it.
Furthermore, you can also do other remote jobs while traveling. For instance, a freelance writer can travel and work from any location with WiFi access.
6. Don’t Spend too Much on Food
Wander around before picking a place to eat. The most touristy parts of your destination will be the most expensive, so avoid them and look for places off the beaten path. Buy cheap meals in the local fresh food markets or supermarkets instead of dining in expensive restaurants. Alternatively, you can cook in a hostel with a kitchen area, which will save you a few dollars.
7. Choose Your Activities Wisely
Survey your destination first before you hop into any activities. Opt for activities that won’t cost you much, like swimming, hiking, attending a local festival, exploring museums, and walking around city parks. You can ask around to determine budget-friendly activities.
Several cities have discount passes, so check your destination’s tourism sites to take advantage of these deals. With these passes, you’ll get admission to many sites at a discounted rate. Carry appropriate identification if you’re a military member, student, or senior to get discounts.
You can also hop into group trips provided by hotels and hostels, which is a perfect way to make your tour more social and less costly.
8. Travel Out Of Season
Research the best time to visit a destination and travel before or after the peak seasons. Avoid traveling during school holidays when the travel industry takes advantage of families by hiking up prices.
Airlines and hotels lower their prices to attract clients during the low season. Even though you might not get enough sunshine during this period, you’ll still have a wonderful trip.
Wrap Up
You don’t have to spend all your money while traveling and end up being broke. With the above money-saving hacks, you can make trips worldwide on a budget and have fun!