One of the questions I get asked most frequently is how I afford to take as many trips as I do. Although I am a travel blogger, we are more alike than you think. Travel blogging is purely my hobby, so despite what many believe, I don’t travel for free. Much like everyone else, I work a full-time job and save up for each trip I take. You want to know how you can afford to take more trips? There is no trick or secret. Simply spend less on each trip. I keep my travel costs low which has allowed me to travel more frequently. I don’t take luxurious trips, and I actually love budget traveling! Here are my tips for traveling on a budget.
1. Stick to a budget
Traveling on a budget means sticking to a plan. It is a good idea to take a look at your itinerary and estimate how much you’ll spend a day. There will be days where you spend more than others, but the point is to have an idea of how much money you’ll use and to stick to that number. Go ahead and book your flights, hotels, transportations, accommodations, and tours prior to your trip so you know how much you’ve spent already. This will make it easier to keep track of your actual day-to-day expenses. Leave less room for unexpected costs as last minute flights and accommodations are quite expensive.
2. Find a cheap flight
I actually only travel when I find cheap flights. This means subscribing to sites such as Scott’s Cheap Flight to get notified when there is a mistake fare or searching yourself on sites such as Google Flights. However, booking a cheap flight means that you don’t get to be as picky as to when you want to fly and which airline you want to fly on. Typically, this means flying budget airlines. You also have to be flexible in order to book a cheap flight. A good deal within the U.S. is typically less than $150 round trip, and bargains to Europe or Central America are typically $200-$400 round trip. Flights to South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia are a bit pricier from the states, but still considered a bargain if it is between $400-$600 round trip.
3. Travel during off season
Traveling during off season can result in significant savings. Any destination has a “high” season which is when the travel industry hikes up prices to take advantage of popular travel times such as holidays and events. Research your destination and the best times to visit and go just before or after those dates. I always try and travel during this “shoulder” season where I can still enjoy good weather with smaller crowds and also spend less. You’ll find cheaper accommodations and flights, and there will be more availability on tours. For example, I avoid traveling to Europe in the months of July to August as those are the busiest and most expensive months.
4. Plan your own trip
A key tip to traveling on a budget is to plan your own trip. I have always enjoyed planning my trips as I love researching about a place. It also gives me the freedom to adjust my schedule during the trip if needed . If you elect to pay for a trip planner or go with a tour group, you will be paying a high premium. First, you will be paying more for the convenience of someone else organizing the trip for you. Secondly, the organizers will not be scouting for cheap flights or budget accommodations for you. I highly recommend you to plan your own trip and choose options that fit your needs and budgets.
5. Explore different accommodation options
If you choose to stay at a hotel, it could run you hundreds of dollars a night. There are much better accommodation options than a hotel. When it comes to choosing accommodation, I have three criteria that I consider. First, the accommodation must be clean – it doesn’t have to be fancy. Second, the accommodation needs to be accessible by transportation. Lastly, the accommodation must be located in a safe area. There are plenty of budget-friendly options that fit these criteria when it comes to finding lodging. Remember just because something is more expensive, doesn’t make it better. When I travel, I typically use hostels, Airbnb, or Booking.com. I’ve had better luck using Airbnb internationally than in the states (as Airbnbs in the U.S. are overpriced in my opinion), but I always check what my options are before I book.
6. Don’t eat your wallet
Food can be one of the most expensive items on a trip. These costs can easily add up, especially on longer trips. However, you can keep food costs down by not eating at a restaurant for every meal. Consider alternative dining options such as fast food, mom-and-pop shops, food trucks, local establishments, street food, and markets. If you do eat at a restaurant, avoid ordering multiple courses and drinks and alcoholic beverages. I always pack snacks such as protein bars when I travel, so I end up eating two larger meals in a day versus the typical three meals. I do this personally to maximize travel time and save money.
7. Use public transportation
When there are options to take public transportation, choose to only use public transportation. This means no taxis or rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. I know that a private transport could be quicker, but those prices can be quite steep (especially in the U.S. and Europe). Consider taking the metro, train, bus, or tram instead. If you’re staying multiple days in the same city, look to see if there are multi-day unlimited public transportation passes.
8. Keep miscellaneous travel costs low
An important part of traveling on a budget is keeping miscellaneous travel costs low. While we tend to be more aware of larger costs such as flights, car rentals, and lodging, miscellaneous costs do add up. Here are some miscellaneous charges to be aware of:
- Checked Bags: If you are flying a budget airline that charges for checked bags, try and do carry-on only. I typically only fly with a smaller backpack (which is my “personal item”) and a carry-on that’s either a large backpack or suitcase.
- Seat Selection: Most low-budget airlines don’t allow seat selection until check-in time unless you pay a premium to select seats beforehand. I’ve never paid extra for a seat selection as I don’t mind where I sit.
- In-flight food and beverage: Most airlines serve complimentary snacks and beverage for shorter routes and full service meals for longer and international routes. However, I have flown airlines which don’t serve food or drinks during the flight. How do I deal with this scenario? If it is a longer flight, I will buy food and drinks at the airport to take onto the plane.
- Souvenirs: We’ve all been there where we see a cool souvenir and instantly want to purchase it. But ask yourself, do you really need that?
It’s important to be aware of all the “little” things you’re spending for your trip. These costs will add up. However, if you take note of these tips and apply them on your next trip, you’ll be able to save money and travel more frequently!
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