Being a budget traveler doesn’t necessarily mean just saving money but traveling in the smartest way possible. Short or long vacations need planning to avoid overspending and getting into debt. Moving on a budget means that you are saving money which could go into your investments.
Here’s how to travel on a budget.
1. Save for the vacation
Discipline is key to saving. Where do you plan on going? Bangkok? Hawaii? Well, decide your destination getaway so that you can work on the logistics. Draft a budget of what you will use approximately depending on how long you intend to stay.
In the case that you use credit cards, ensure that you avoid late payment. Late payments, as CreditRepairCompanies.com explains, will hurt your credit score and you may not be eligible for loan approval in a long time to come. Early saving is convenient as it helps you spread out the monthly savings.
2. Compare airline tickets
Before booking that air ticket, it’s almost a crime not to compare prices of different airlines. There are discount airfare sites such as Skyscanner. Be open to using travel budget airlines; the amenities may be fewer, but the costs involved are definitely cheaper.
Sign up to getting email or text alerts from different airlines so that you can get notifications of the prices and you can book when you think it’s a fair deal.
Discover which day of the week has cheap fares. Consider using a regional airline compared to an international one. One, they are affordable and will have less traffic during security checks.
When booking, do so a few months before the travel for better offers than booking two days before.
3. Traveling off-season
Different countries have different peak seasons. A savvy traveler knows that going on vacation during off-peak seasons is the best decision financially. At this time, costs are not ridiculously high. For example, if you plan to visit Bangkok, avoid going between November and March as this is a particularly peak season.
Most off-peak seasons will tend to coincide with not so friendly weather; keep that in mind when packing so that you carry ideal clothes for the destination.
4. Identify where to stay
As a budget traveler, where do you plan to stay? Some people prefer booking hotels while others prefer hostels where they are a group of people which gives them a chance to make friends especially if you are a solo traveler.
When booking a hotel, compare prices. Be sure to check if any hidden charges could make the total cost high.
Vacation rentals are also a budget-friendly option. Sites such as Airbnb can help with identifying the ideal house. There are options where you can rent the entire house or just a room where you get hosted. Sometimes you’ll find some nice places at a reasonable price which sometimes is cheaper than a hotel.
Do you love being around people? A hostel could work for you. Note, you may share the kitchen and laundry area. Have all the information before you decide to go the hostel way.
5. Cook more, eat out less often
In the case that you go for a vacation rental, most definitely there’s an option for cooking for yourself. Avoid eating out but instead, identify an affordable grocery store and buy what you need. You can also find some local joints where you can eat out a few times to enjoy local food.
Locals are perfect because that’s where you will find the freshest food rather than restaurants where food has been refrigerated for the longest time.
6. Choose budget-friendly activities
Research on where you intend to go and find out what kind of activities people do. Most museums will either be free certain days of the week or month. They may have a small admission fee though. Take advantage of such offers.
Free walking tours are also something you can do. Some guides offer these services. Most times, you tour the city or some pre-historic site in groups. In the end, you choose how much you feel you need to ‘appreciate’ the guide through a tip.
If your destination has beaches, then kayaking and surfing could work for you. The point here is getting out of your comfort zone and enjoying.
7. Use your car for your local travel
Who said going on vacation is flying across states or continents? It could be just a short distance vacation for the weekend. Driving to your destination can be budget friendly. You may need the weekend to wind off the stressing week, and you happen to know the perfect place to help you relax. Get in your SUV and just drive.
Everybody should consider a vacation at some point. No more excuses of not having enough funds as the tips above just made it easier for you.
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