10 Travel Tips to help you travel on a budget

Written by: Chloë Hayes, May 31, 2023

Travelling is one of life’s biggest thrills. But far too often, memorable trips stay unchecked on the bucket list due to fear of large expenses and a lack of financial freedom.

I’m here to show you that travelling doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and no one needs to win the lottery to travel the world. To help you reach your dream destinations on a budget, here are 10 impactful tips.

Plan Thoroughly

Spontaneity is great if there is time and money to spare. But a strongly thought-through plan does not take the fun out of travelling. You don’t need a tight, hour-by-hour itinerary, but when planning for affordable transportation and accommodation, the further in advance the better. Creating a vision for your trip, sitting down, and dedicating a couple of hours to a strong plan and deciding on destinations, activities, meals, and places to stay can help you calculate an accurate budget. Leaving less to chance means less unexpected expenses, and a higher probability of staying within your budget.

Watch the seasons

The travel industry moves with the seasons. A simple way to save hundreds while booking your vacation is to choose dates that do not align with school holidays or peak tourist seasons. Every destination is different, so it is important to research when the best times are to visit your place of choice, and book for a few weeks before or after the proposed dates.

On these ‘Shoulder dates’ you will still get the pleasant climate you seek, without heavy airport traffic for almost half the price.

Don’t fear affordable Accommodation

Trade an expensive hotel suite for dorm rooms in hostels or shared Airbnb’s. It can be tempting to lean toward more luxurious or private options, but part of travelling is new experiences and meeting others. Hostels can be a fun, social place for travellers to meet each other, form friendships and make memories, all while saving a significant amount of money.

Airbnb also offers private rooms in someone’s house, which can be far more affordable than a hotel room. Staying with a local can also help you learn about the city and have someone to turn to for any concerns you may have.

Pack Cautiously

Make a thorough list of everything you know you will need on your trip. Be sure to pack at least one warm outfit even for a warm destination, and at least one cooler outfit for a cooler destination. Weather is unpredictable, and it pays to be prepared.

Many airlines also include carry-on bags in the price of the plane ticket, with extra fees attached to large, checked baggage. Depending on how long your trip is, often times, clothes can be compactly fit into a backpack or carry-on suitcase. Tightly rolled clothes and light packing can save you up to $100 or more!

Be smart about Flying

Weekday flights are often much lower in price, especially from Tuesday-Thursday.

Be smart and fly economy. Even if business class looks more comfortable, you will not regret the extra money in your pocket when you land.

Embrace Public Transportation

Buses and trains are far cheaper than airplanes. Sometimes allowing for a longer trip is worth the money saved and can show you more sights along the way. An overnight trip on a train also means one less night of accommodation to pay for!

For city travel, Ubers and taxis can be tempting, but taking some extra time to learn a city’s public transportation system is certainly worth the effort for the budget.

In Europe, FlixBus is a popular, affordable bus service that can drive you almost anywhere on the continent for shockingly low rates.

Don’t eat away your funds

A nice dinner is fun once in a while, but not necessary every day. When you arrive, visit a local supermarket for cheap lunches and ingredients to sustain you throughout your days. Restaurants in busy tourist areas are especially known for overcharging.

Most hostels and spare rooms also offer kitchen access for those hoping to save a little more.

Earn by Travelling

Working holidays are growing in popularity. Globalization Partners offer workaway opportunities almost anywhere in the world looking for a longer trip. You can find seasonal, often part-time work in a destination of your choice, and work in exchange for free or heavily discounted accommodation and food.

If your job at home has remote options, plan work time into your travel itinerary. The possibilities are endless.

Learn more about workaway opportunities at https://www.workaway.info

Avoid Tourist Traps

Some places have mastered the art of appealing to tourists. However, the famed cities of the world are not the only places worth visiting. There are destinations all over the world just as beautiful as and similar to Santorini, Greece, the South of France, or luxury resorts in the Caribbean.

Set your intention for the type of trip you are looking for, and dive into some research on areas nearby to the most popular cities. Chances are, nearby cities will have everything you are looking for, for a fraction of the price.

If you are visiting a popular city, enjoy the beauty of it humbly. For food, wander down a side street versus the main tourist strips. You will likely find hidden gems and save lots.

Get a local SIM Card

Data Roaming costs can add up very quickly. One way to save a good chunk of money is purchasing a local SIM card with locally priced data packages. You’ll likely need data to navigate your way around and keep in touch with people back home.

As you can see, there are so many little things that can help to significantly lower the price of travelling if they don’t go overlooked. Travel can seem like an unattainable luxury, but if you put in the effort to plan effectively with an open mind, almost anyone can make the trip of a lifetime happen.