Exploring new places by travelling the world is one of the most fun things you can do in life. The only thing is, this activity costs money (and sometimes a whole lot of money). Well today is your lucky day, because I’m going to tell you how you can carry out your favourite hobby while sparing your bank account. Shortly said: How to travel on a budget.
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Travel destination on a budget
First things first; choosing your destination. The destination is the most important variable if you don’t want to spend a whole lot of money. And I can tell you cheaper doesn’t mean less fun. The cheaper destinations are less touristy, which means there is more real culture and new places to explore.
And of course I do have some recommendations you should look into while searching for a cheap but exciting destination. I ordered them for you by area.
Asia
The cheapest destinations in Asia are: Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Nepal, India, Kyrgyzstan.
Europe
The cheapest destinations in Europe you should check out are: Poland, Croatia, Ukraine, Romania, Georgia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia.
Africa
In Africa I’ve got two recommendations for you where you must go at least once in your live: South Africa & Namibia
South-America
The countries in South-America you should definitely go to are: Nicaragua, Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia.
Flight
Besides your destination, your flight is also an important factor while traveling on a budget. On the positive side: A cheaper destination most of the time equals a cheaper flight. But saving some more money won’t hurt you of course.
The ideal situation is when you aren’t bound to particular data. If this is the case you can firstly check when the flight is the cheapest and then chose this period to travel.
But what tool do you use to find the cheapest flights and combined with the best period? Because there are plenty of search engines which can provide you with information on flights and prices.
You can use Skyscanner, Momondo, and Google Flights to search for a flight. Besides these three known search engines you can also try a less known one: Kiwi. Kiwi is a super advanced search engine when it comes to searching your ideal flight and is absolutely worth checking out.
Of course it’s worth checking out multiple search engines to compare prices and possibilities.
The trip itself
When you finally have arrived at your chosen destination you still have to spend money. So of course I have some tips to save money.
Live like a local
If you want a super cheap holiday, live as little as possible as a tourist and as much as possible as a local. So eat in the back street, avoid the red tourist buses, use public transport and make new friends. Make it even more fun by sleeping at locals: companies like Airbnb and Couchsurfing can be useful. Besides that this is cheaper it’s also a very good opportunity to really get to know the destination you’ve travelled to. You often get the best insider tips about the destination and via this way you get to know new people.
exchange homes
If you really want to live like a local, you can also think of exchanging homes. Each home exchange is tailored to your own wishes: you choose when, where and with whom you would like to exchange. It’s a great way to travel cheaply and save on accommodation (great for long holidays with the kids)! Home exchange websites include home exchange.com (homes in 160 countries), GuesttoGuest (homes in 187 countries), and the lesser-known love home swap.
Citypasses
Looking for tips for a cheap city trip? Search no further! See if the city you’re going to has a city pass. Most cities have city passes for 24, 48 or 72 hours in which you can travel unlimited by public transport and visit museums and other attractions for free or at a discount. Speaking of museums, check the museum website on which day your favourite museum is free (often on evenings or on Sunday afternoons). Would you like to know more about a city? Many cities offer free walking tours, in which a local shows you the best places in the city on the basis of a non-compulsory donation.
Go on an adventure by yourself
Going on an organised tour can be relaxed, especially if you don’t know the destination. Sometimes you can’t escape it because you can’t get there in your own. However, getting out and finding the adventure can save you a lot of money and is usually so much fun. Arrange for local transport, grab a bicycle or go for a walk if an attraction is nearby. And if you book an excursion, check whether there are not many intermediaries – such as with a travel agency – among them. After all, everyone has to earn money and then the price can increase considerably. It is also possible to search for a local initiative where locals really benefit from it. For example, take a look at The Organic Farm Bali where local farmers work together and tours are organised to surrounding rice fields.
Cook instead of eating out
Eating out on a trip is of course delicious and you get to know the (food) culture of a country. But visiting a restaurant every day can – depending on your destination – get pretty dirty. Cooking yourself simply means saving money. An apartment or studio is ideally suited for self-catering, but hostels are also often good options for cooking (together with travel companions). There is nothing more fun than shopping at the local market or in the local supermarket.
Conclusion
Travelling will cost you money, but doesn’t always have to be expensive. If you chose a budget friendly destination, aren’t bound to a particular period of time to travel and watch your expenses when you’ve arrived at your destination, you can definitely save a lot of money. What is your best budget travel tip?
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