How to plan a trip with a low budget
Let’s face it—traveling can be a wallet-draining experience. Whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip or traveling to a far-off land, the expenses can quickly add up. But fear not, fellow wanderer! This post is your guide to savvy spending and stress-free adventures.
From setting a budget to getting affordable accommodations and everything in between, let’s ensure your next adventure leaves your heart full and your bank account; well, kinda full. So let’s get into some tips that helped me save during my travels.
Set a budget
You need to determine how much you can afford for the entire trip and break down the budget into different categories such as visa, accommodation, transportation, food, activities, and miscellaneous expenses. This will give you an overall idea of how long you’ll spend and even where to go.
Choose affordable destinations
Western countries are definitely expensive. You could opt for countries that are known for being budget-friendly or cities where the cost of living is lower, lower cost of living doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have fun it means you get to visit a cheaper country and still have fun. Ehemm Serbia! anyone?
Plan months ahead of time
If you’re planning a last minute trip , you’ll definitely be spending a lot on transportation and accommodation. Personally what I do is I check out flight prices and find dates when the flights are cheaper and plan around that. Sometimes this might not be ideal especially if you have visa for a particular period, or you have an event. But if that’s not the case you should definitely try this. The flight prices determine the dates of my travel. If you’re in Europe and travelling to neighbouring countries, definitely use the bus.
Travel during off-peak seasons
This definitely works out well for me but it can sometimes depend on the destination. Generally traveling during the summer time is expensive, so instead I travel during fall, and this has actually been game changer for me. I find cheap accommodations and flights, transportation within the country might also be cheaper. For instance during my trip to Vlora in Albania Airbnbs were 50% cheaper than they were during summer and in an insane location.
Accommodation options
Look for budget-friendly accommodations like hostels, Airbnb, or budget hotels. You can use booking.com to compare affordable accommodations. If you’re traveling with friends I suggest avoiding hostels and just finding cheaper vacation rentals. Just make sure you read reviews and ensure the accommodation has all the amenities you need. I use Airbnb for all of my trips. Sometimes hotels might be a better option if you’re traveling to remote places or just traveling for a few days. Take your time with these and just find what’s best for you.
Pack light
Pack only essentials to avoid extra baggage fees and make transportation easier. You might think you need to pack everything you can think of but you mostly don’t. Select your day-to-day essentials and consider versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched. You’d also need to pack for the season, figure out what the general temperature is in your destination country, and pack clothes you can wear within that time. Packing summer outfits for winter will only add to your baggage. Don’t make the mistakes I made during my first trip to Europe.
Use public transportation or rent a car
This may sound obvious but I learned the hard way. During my first trip to the UK, I used Uber for the first few days and I quickly realized that if I continued with the Uber lifestyle, I’d be broke, I needed to use public transport, Thankfully, the citymapper app was accurate and easy to use, so I got me an oyster card and it was easy from there.
Consider walking or biking within the destination too, European countries are known to be generally walkable so it might be time to get your Legs-us ready (see what I did?).
Depending on where you are it might also be better to rent a car, For example, I found it better to rent a car in Montenegro instead of using public transport for a long-distance trip, just ensure you book from the locals instead of the bigger companies for cheaper rates.
If you’re staying for a long time, stay in one accommodation
The longer you stay in a place the cheaper the accommodation is, but that shouldn’t stop you from exploring other places in the country.
During our two-week trip to Mauritius, we discovered it was more budget-friendly to stay in one accommodation and rent a car. However, on a day when we had an early hike planned, we opted to stay in a different location just for that day. To save money, we packed only what we needed for the day, found a more affordable accommodation near the hiking spot, and booked it for a night.
Cook if you can
Save on food costs during your travels by trying local street food or preparing simple meals if you have access to kitchen facilities. I’d advise that you avoid regularly dining at popular tourist spots, where prices tend to be higher.
If you’re in a location for an extended time, consider a balanced approach: Mix up your dining experience by cooking some meals and exploring local food options. While cooking can be a significant money-saver, remember you’re on vacation, so an occasional splurge is perfectly fine.
This advice is based on personal experiences, and many fellow travelers have shared that cooking has helped them save a substantial amount. It’s all about finding the right balance between enjoying local flavors and managing your budget wisely.
Find free attractions
This might be obvious but you should definitely research free and low-cost activites, explore parks and museums with free entry days, and local events. Some of my favorite free and low budget activities are hiking, swimming in public pools and kayaking.
Get travel insurance
This might seem like the opposite of saving money, (and generally it is), but it can save you money in case of unexpected events. research affordable travel insurance in your country of residence to find the best one for your trip.
Remember, these tips are a guide, not a rulebook. Remember to prioritize your spending based on what matters most to you. Whether it’s exploring local culture, enjoying nature, or trying new foods, there are often affordable ways to experience the best of a destination. Bon voyage! 🌍✈️
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