Reading travel blogs like GlobalGrasshopper can create an urge to get away and explore our beautiful world. Additionally, with tons of beautiful places in the world, we may never run out of spots to see. However, traveling can be a costly business.
After you added up all of the accommodation and transportation costs, you can feel discouraged to set a foot outside your door. Do not worry! Many people learned to cover long distances with only a few pennies by their side, and so can you. All it takes is a little bit of determination and cunning. Here are some of the best tips you can use while traveling on a budget:
1. Scout for the Best Deals
We have to admit that this is one of the most important steps to follow when traveling on a budget. There are tons of travel websites on the web, which offer discounted flight and hotel prices. It is also recommended to look for other ways of traveling other than using trains and buses. Hitchhiking is a great way to reach your destination while spending almost nothing on transportation costs.
2. Do Not Buy When Hungry
It is one of the biggest mistakes made by people who try to travel on a budget. When you are hungry, your brain sends messages that you need food at any cost. Usually, it results in buying expensive items such as chocolates or ice-creams. Of course, we don’t tell you to put eating on hold when on vacation.
However, if you are eating out, do not order anything overpriced. If you plan on visiting a restaurant, it is better to stick with fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s, which are very inexpensive and often come with a value meal option.
And if you really want to save money, it is highly recommended that you bring your food and beverages when going on your trip. Instead of ordering expensive meals at restaurants, consider bringing sandwiches or snacks from the supermarket. It is an excellent way to save money and be more independent during your travels.
3. Use Public Transportation
In many cities around the world, public transportation is much cheaper than using taxis. Also, you can save some money by purchasing a weekly pass. During rush hour hours, you do not have to worry about wasting time looking for parking spots. And in case of emergencies, you can quickly call a taxi company from your phone and travel as fast as possible to wherever you want to go.
4. Hostels Are Your Friends
Hostel prices vary depending on a city or country. However, they are usually much lower than hotels and motels. The best thing about hostels is that they are usually located in prime locations, meaning that you will not have to spend extra money on transportation because everything you need is right there! Also, some hostels offer complimentary amenities such as breakfast and a Wi-Fi connection.
5. Opt for Camping
Camping is cheaper than staying at a hotel or hostel while traveling on a budget. You can find cheap camping sites near many popular tourist attractions around the world. However, if you plan to camp in areas where nobody can see you, make sure that you bring some extra equipment such as food and water to ensure that you do not suffer from hunger or dehydration during your trip away from home.
In addition, camping in private places is illegal in some places around the world. Therefore, we recommend that you check the local laws before setting up your tent anywhere.
6. Travel Slow and Explore More
Touring around your destination at a slower pace will allow you to explore more than just the main attractions offered by travel guides and local tour guides. By taking longer to explore the city or country you are visiting, you will have more opportunity to interact with other travelers and locals, which will help you better understand the culture of the place you are visiting.
Besides, this will also prevent you from getting too tired before reaching your final destination, thus preventing any unwanted accidents from happening.
7. Avoid Using Credit Cards While Away
Using credit cards while traveling can be dangerous if you are not careful. Most credit cards have a fee charged to the cardholder when used outside the country. Depending on the fee’s amount, this can become extremely expensive and hurt your budget if you are not careful.
In addition, credit cards can also put you in danger because they can easily be stolen while traveling. Therefore, we recommend that you bring a debit card with you instead of using your credit cards while traveling.
Final Thoughts
Contrary to popular belief, traveling across the world doesn’t have to be expensive. Besides the above-mentioned tips, one of the best ways to travel on a budget is by teaching English as a foreign language, online and in class. By implementing a few useful tricks, you will be able to explore destinations you’ve always dreamed of on a budget.
That’s why make sure you always look for the best deals, avoid eating in restaurants, or use public transportation to move around. Also, keep in mind that many countries have implemented different COVID-19 restrictions, so be sure to check them out before you decide on the place you want to visit.
