Have you found yourself lately daydreaming of your next adventure on the other side of the world? Admit it! You’re itching to go. But maybe your wallet is holding you back.
We know how you feel, so we’ve put together a great list of tips to help you put aside some funds for your next trip, as well as some ways to save money while you’re traveling. Following these tips will help give you a bit more financial freedom so you can make it to your dream destination!
1. Visualize: Create a budget tracker and set some goals. Seeing your progress will help motivate you. Here’s a good example.
2. Save simply: Take shorter showers, turn down the AC/heat, turn off the lights… your utilities will go down and your savings will go up.
3. Go garage sale-ing! Buy supplies/accessories second-hand, and hold your own yard sale to sell what you don’t need to make a few extra bucks.
4. Stay home: Restaurants are the bane of the frugal traveler. Eat at home and save a ton. Watch Netflix instead of spending money at the cinema. Invite friends over for a beer instead of going to the bar.
5. Think of your health: Fresh food is cheaper than pre-prepared microwave meals. Quitting smoking or reducing alcohol intake can save loads of money. Finally, wash your hands! Staying sanitary will help you avoid a doctor’s visit and the accompanying medical bill.
6. Ask friends and family for support: All gift-giving holidays are a chance to ask for contributions toward your next trip. Forego that cute bag or new pair of sunglasses and ask for the cold hard cash.
7. Go with the flow: If you’re flexible about when or where to go, you can find some amazing deals on plane tickets or activity packages off-season. Plus, you’ll avoid fighting for space with other tourists! You can see a great infographic with information on off-season destinations here.
8. Sniff out the deals: Follow airlines and travel deal sites on social media. When a discount or limited offer pops up, you can take advantage of it immediately. Sign up to receive information on “error fares” on sites.
9. Check round-trip vs. one-way flights: Sometimes round-trip is cheaper, sometimes two one-way tickets are cheaper. Compare before you buy!
10. Fly on a Wednesday: Weekdays often have lower flight prices than weekends.
11. Mix and match! Instead of flying directly to your destination, check the cost of flying to a different city and then taking a train or a bus. Also, indirect flights with stop-overs are often much cheaper than direct flights. Finally, you can potentially save by taking different airlines. More information on split fare flights here.
12. Get an unlocked phone: Avoid costly international plans or roaming fees by buying a SIM card in the country when you arrive. Use Skype, Hangouts or WhatsApp to call home.
13. Do your research on credit cards: Sign up for a travel credit card so that each purchase gets you more miles. Get a card that doesn’t charge foreign ATM withdrawal fees or international transaction fees. Some cards give you double points on food and travel. We recommend Charles Schwab.
14. Don’t buy anything in the airport: Literally everything in the airport is too expensive. Buy your travel pillow before you leave, bring your own snacks and books – bring an empty water bottle, then fill it up once you’re past security- and wait to buy souvenirs until you’re in the city.
15. Get a tourist card: Usually available at the local Tourism Office, these cards are well worth the money. They give you discounted or free access to museums, tours and more, as well as free public transportation! Which leads us to our next point…
16. Take public transportation: Do as the locals do!
17. Look for long lines: At markets, food trucks or carts, they indicate good stuff or low prices. Follow the locals.
18. Avoid restaurants: We’ve already said it, restaurants are the bane of the frugal traveler. Unless there’s one you’re dying to try, just skip restaurants and get some food at the market or the supermarket. You can chew as you wander, or as you people-watch on a park bench.
19. Do free stuff: Walk around. Take in the free sights. Hike. Visit churches and parks. Check if the local museum has a free/discount night. Search for free or open-air concerts.
20. There’s an app for that: There are probably free apps for travel guides, maps, phrasebooks- use them and save money and space!
Stay for free with locals!!! Find a local host in your destination and stay for free in exchange for practicing your language with them. If you haven’t signed up for TalkTalkBnb yet, you should- it’s entirely free! Create a profile and find your host!
Do you have any good budget travel tips you want to share? Let us know in the comments!
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