How to travel on a shoestring budget

Don’t let limited funds dampen your curiosity or dreams of learning more about a new place and culture this year. Check out these smart and frugal travel tips for exciting international experiences.

Be flexible with transportation. If you’re willing to take a red eye flight on a weeknight, you can probably score cheaper flights. When getting around in the city you’re visiting, consider alternative options like public transit, biking and walking over cabs and renting a car.

Look for free activities. You can find many free events and attractions if you know where to look. Do your research beforehand and you’ll be surprised at the number of free public museums, markets and festivals you can find all over the world.

Try a working holiday or internship. Exploring a new place becomes much more budget-friendly when you can work in your host country. Although getting the right visas and permits can seem daunting, you can make the process easier and cost less with International Experience Canada (IEC). This government program allows youth ages 18 to 35 to obtain work permits to travel and work abroad for up to two years in one of more than 30 partner countries and territories. It’s a great way to fund your holiday. Work permits under IEC are generally less expensive, more flexible and processed more quickly!

Eat local. Restaurants that cater to tourists often demand big bucks, so avoid having meals near tourist hotspots. Do some wandering and see where the locals eat, and don’t be afraid to shop at the grocery store for no-cook ingredients to grab for on-the-go snacks or meals you can enjoy in a local park.

Set priorities. Do you want to get tickets to a must-see show? Or maybe you need a premium seat with more legroom on the plane? Decide on the one travel element that you consider most valuable to enjoying your trip, and spend your money on that while opting for less expensive options for everything else.

Find more information on work and travel abroad at Canada.ca/IEC.