Let’s face it; traveling can be costly at times. Transportation, accommodations, excursions, food, and drinks – it all adds up! If you’re like us and have the travel bug but don’t want to break the bank, there are some simple tips that you can follow to stretch your money as far as possible. From traveling during the off-season to booking a vacation rental – here are 10 of our favorite tips for traveling on a budget:
- Book Far in Advance
When it comes to travel, the farther you book in advance, the better. Costs for transportation and accommodations get more expensive the closer you get to your departure date, which is why you must get your tickets and make all of your reservations as soon as possible. Once you know your travel dates, start planning!
- Use Travel Points
One of our favorite ways to save money while traveling is to use reward points you may have saved. With most major travel companies, you earn reward points when you fly or stay overnight at one of their hotels. Make sure to sign up for these rewards programs before you travel so that you can earn points and use them for future vacations.
- Travel During the Off-Season
Do your research on the destination you’re looking to travel to, see what time of the year is busiest, and avoid that time of year at all costs. Traveling to an area during its peak season is going to cost you a lot of money. When you choose to travel during the off-season, you’re going to find the best deals and overall cheaper rates.
- Participate in Free Activities
You don’t always have to pay to participate in activities while traveling. There are plenty of free activities for you to partake in no matter where you are in the world. Try hiking some popular trails, spending the day at a local park or beach, biking through the town, or maybe try going on a scavenger hunt.
- Take Public Transportation
Renting a car while on vacation can be very pricey. Instead of paying a couple of hundred dollars a week for a rental, save some money and use public transportation to get around town. Take the bus, train, and subway as much as you possibly can. Trust us when we say that your wallet will thank you.
- Cook in When Possible
Deciding what you’re going to eat and drink while traveling typically comes down to how much you want to spend. Many restaurants located in vacation towns raise their menu prices higher than other restaurants. Eating at these establishments can mean a huge bill, especially for larger families. Instead of eating out each day, try to cook in at your vacation rental. This will save you a whole lot of money while still allowing you to eat delicious food.
- Book a Vacation Rental
Booking a vacation rental home can be an excellent option for groups of any size, but it can be especially cost-friendly for larger groups. Hotel rooms usually aren’t that big, which means that you’ll probably have to book more than one room to accommodate your whole party. To save some money, use sites like Airbnb or Vrbo to find a property that can fit your entire party at a fraction of the cost.
- Visit Places Off the Beaten Path
Most popular tourist attractions have high admission costs, while attractions off the beaten path may offer lower prices. Do your research ahead of time on some unique things to do and write them down on a list. There are some incredible places to see and activities to try out there that sometimes get overshadowed by the popular tourist attractions.
- Take Out Money Ahead of Time
No matter where you plan on traveling, you’re going to want to take out money ahead of time to take with you. If you’re traveling internationally, it’s easier to take out your destination country’s currency before departure day, so you don’t have to spend time exchanging currency. If you’re traveling nationally, taking money out ahead of time ensures that you don’t have to waste money on expensive ATM fees.
- Ask the Locals For Recommendations
Our last tip for traveling on a budget is to ask the locals for recommendations. There are many “obvious” tourist destinations, excursions, and restaurants that every traveler wants to visit. Still, there are also some fantastic things to do and see that you may not always hear about. Ask some of the locals about what they enjoy around town, and consider putting them on your list of to-dos. Chances are, the places/attractions they recommend will be less pricy than the more well-known attractions.
Traveling the world on a budget is possible as long as you keep these ten tips in mind. There are so many ways to cut costs while traveling that you may have never thought about, but they can help to stretch your budget in the long run. As always, if you’re looking to obtain a passport or visa for your next trip, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to helping you get to your destination!
