How to Travel on a Budget, Traveling the world is often seen as an expensive endeavor reserved only for the wealthy. But the truth is, you don’t need to be rich to explore new destinations and have amazing experiences. With some planning, flexibility and creativity, you can travel the world on any budget.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover all the best tips, tricks and hacks to travel cheaply in 2023. Whether you want to take a quick weekend getaway or embark on a months-long backpacking adventure, this guide has got you covered.
Key Takeaways:
- Set a realistic daily budget and stick to it
- Use budget travel search engines to find the cheapest flights and accommodation
- Consider alternative accommodation like hostels, Couchsurfing, house-sitting
- Travel slowly and stay in destinations longer to cut down on transport costs
- Eat and cook locally to save money on food
- Use public transportation and walk when possible
- Take advantage of free activities like walking tours and public parks
- Travel off-season when prices are lower
- Get travel discounts with memberships, passes and vouchers
Set a Budget And Stick To It
The first step to budget travel is to set a realistic daily budget and stick to it. Consider your total travel fund, length of trip and style of travel to come up with a reasonable amount for accommodations, food, activities and transport per day.
Be brutally honest with yourself here. It’s better to set a modest budget of $50 a day rather than an ambitious $30 a day that leaves you stressed and starving.
Once you set your budget, Track your spending daily using apps like Trail Wallet or Monefy so you know exactly how much you have left. Avoid the temptation to “splurge” or dip into backup funds until absolutely necessary. Sticking closely to your budget means your travel fund will last much longer.
Use Budget Travel Search Engines
Specialized travel search engines like Skyscanner, Momondo and Rome2Rio make it easy to find the cheapest flights, accommodation, transport and travel packages. Using these sites can save you hundreds compared to booking directly or through large aggregators like Expedia.
For flights, be flexible with dates and airports to get the best fares. Consider budget airlines but watch for hidden fees. Set price alerts and book 4-5 months in advance for regional flights, 7-8 months for international.
For accommodation, filter by shared dorms in hostels or guesthouses instead of hotels. Sort by price and proximity to public transport and attractions.
For transport, compare buses, trains and rideshares across platforms. Book advance train tickets for discounts in Europe.
Consider Alternative Accommodation
One of the biggest travel expenses is accommodation. But resorts, hotels and vacation rentals aren’t your only lodging options. To save dramatically on accommodation:
- Stay in hostels – Hostels provide cheap dorm-style and private rooms starting around $10-20 per night. Plus they have kitchens and common areas to meet fellow travelers.
- Use homestays and vacation rentals – Local homestays found through Airbnb and rental platforms like VRBO are often cheaper than hotels. Look for listings with kitchens.
- Try Couchsurfing – Couchsurfing connects you with locals who provide free accommodation in exchange for cultural exchange. Just bring small gifts for your host.
- House-sit – HouseCarers and TrustedHousesitters match you with homeowners who need house and pet sitters while they are away. Sitting provides free accommodation plus amenities.
- Help exchange – HelpX, Workaway and WWOOOF connect volunteers with farms, homestays and businesses that provide free room and board in exchange for your labor.
- Camp or sleep in your vehicle – For the most budget road trips, camp in a tent or rig up a car or van to sleep in. This allows ultimate flexibility and saves on accommodation costs.
- To read more about Budget hotels click here
Slow Travel To Reduce Transport Costs
Transport between destinations is often a major travel expense. The best way to cut down on transport costs is to slow down your travel and stay longer in each spot.
Avoid rushed itineraries that have you constantly hopping cities, countries and regions every 2-3 days. Not only does this maximize expensive flights, trains, buses and taxis, but it also doesn’t allow you to fully experience and appreciate each destination.
Instead, pick a few places you want to really immerse in and stay at least a week if not longer. Taking it slower allows you to:
- Take buses, trains and bicycles for transport vs pricier planes and taxis
- Settle in to a cheaper long-term rental apartment
- Look for work or volunteer opportunities to offset costs
- Get to know locals who can recommend the hidden, affordable gems
Slow travel leads to deeper connections, less stress, and more bang for your buck.
Eat and Cook Locally
Food is one of the best parts of travel, but eating out constantly can blow your budget fast. To save money on food:
- Grocery shop and cook – Buy fresh produce from markets and cook your own meals in hostel kitchens when possible. Making even one meal a day in helps stretch your budget.
- Eat street food and local cafes – Street vendors and humble local eateries will give you an authentic taste of the cuisine for much cheaper than restaurants catering to tourists.
- Take food tours – An excellent way to indulge in local specialities while learning about the cuisine and culture. Group tours are cost-effective.
- Enjoy free breakfast – Many hostels and homestays offer free simple breakfast to guests, often bread, cereal, fruit and coffee. Easy way to fill up before starting your day.
- Set a food budget – To limit overspending, come up with a realistic daily budget for food and stick closely to it. $10-15 per day is reasonable for 3 simple meals in budget destinations.
Use Public Transport and Walking
Paying for endless taxis, rideshares, rental cars and tourist shuttles adds up fast. To save money getting around:
- Embrace public transport – Buses, metros, trams and local trains provide the cheapest transport. Buy multi-day transit passes to save more.
- Walk as much as possible – Walking around the city is free, healthy and a great way to experience day to day life. Bring good walking shoes and use offline maps.
- Rent or buy bicycles – Cycling is an inexpensive way to explore destinations at your own pace while getting exercise. Some hostels rent bikes hourly.
- Use rideshare services selectively – Occasional Uber or taxi rides are convenient but become pricey for frequent use. Compare to public transit prices.
- Hitchhike cautiously – In select regions like Central America and New Zealand, hitchhiking with locals is safe and extremely cheap. Use sound judgment.
Take Advantage of Free Activities
You don’t have to spend a fortune on attractions and tours to experience a destination. There are countless free things to do:
- Take free walking tours of major cities to learn about the history and culture from local guides. Tips are standard at the end.
- Wander through public parks, botanical gardens, temples and museums with free entry days or times.
- See the main sights by following self-guided walking routes in guidebooks or online.
- Attend free festivals, street performances, markets and other public events.
- Hike scenic trails and relax on beaches. Bring your own snacks and drinks.
- Learn about the region at free exhibits in visitor centers and cultural centers.
- Take advantage of free samples at markets and restaurant specials on slower nights.
- Volunteer at local organizations in exchange for meals and activities.
Travel During the Off-Season
Avoiding peak tourist seasons can instantly cut down on costs for flights, accommodation, attractions and more.
- For ski destinations, visit during spring and fall vs high-priced winter.
- For beaches, travel spring, fall and winter instead of packed and pricey summer.
- For Europe, travel in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall than summer high season.
- For cities, avoid major conventions, festivals and holiday dates that skyrocket prices.
- For optimal weather and deals across regions, travel in May, September and October.
Use Memberships, Passes and Vouchers
Take advantage of the many membership programs, multi-day passes, vouchers and coupons available to save on attractions and transportation:
- City tourist cards like the London Pass offer free or discounted entry to major sites plus public transport.
- National park passes like the America the Beautiful Pass provide entry to all federal recreational lands for a year.
- Museums and attractions often offer student, senior, military and other discounts. Always ask!
- Rail passes like the Eurail Pass or BritRail Pass can save tremendously on train travel in a region.
- Many cities offer discounted transit passes for multiple days of unlimited public transport use.
- Joining hostel membership programs like HostelCultr can get you 10% or more off nightly rates.
- Students can often get discounted flights, travel insurance and more with a valid International Student Identity Card.
Travel Light To Avoid Fees
Avoid airline baggage fees, transportation costs and inconvenience by packing light in carry-on only.
Stick to essentials by:
- Renting gear like camping equipment at your destination vs bringing your own
- Washing clothing regularly in sinks and shower vs packing 2 weeks worth
- Wearing versatile items that mix and match vs outfits specific for select activities
- Buying any critically forgotten items at your destination vs packing backups
- Leaving behind printed guides and novels in favor of phone apps and e-readers
Travelling light with just a carry-on backpack or small suitcase makes budget transit like buses and rideshares easier too.
Bottom Line
Travelling the world doesn’t have to drain your bank account with careful budgeting and planning. Focus on keeping major expenses like accommodation, food and transport low by using budget-minded search tools and resources.
Take advantage of membership programs, free activities and travel hacking strategies to save more. But remember that budget travel isn’t necessarily about deprivation – it’s about getting the most memorable experiences for the least money.
Read more:https://worldvisitguider.com/road-trip-games-for-couples/
